First Horizon has been the Official Bank of the Vols for nearly 30 years, a commitment that goes way beyond athletics. The hometown bank provides financial literacy workshops for faculty and students as well as summer internship opportunities. Nearly half of the bank’s Knoxville associates are UT alumni, with more hired every year. Annually, First Horizon invests nearly $1.5 million into the University. In a continuation of their commitment to UT, First Horizon and the First Horizon Foundation have announced a $1 million endowment to the Haslam College of Business.
“At First Horizon, we know that a great education leads to better life outcomes and economic prosperity, and changes the trajectory of your life and your children’s lives. First-generation college students deserve the opportunity to succeed, and we are happy to play a role in making that happen.” – Dave Miller, president of First Horizon’s East Tennessee region
A portion of the endowment will support the First Horizon Foundation Endowed Distinguished Professorship that will be held by Dr. Russell Crook. Dave Miller, president of First Horizon’s East Tennessee region, said the bank is thrilled to continue its support of Crook. “He has made outstanding contributions in business research as well as teaching,” Miller said. “His passion for serving students is really inspiring.”
A large part of the gift will be dedicated to establishing the First Horizon Foundation Endowed Business Scholarship, the first of which will be awarded during the fall 2022 semester. The scholarship is geared toward first-generation students, particularly those participating in Haslam’s TakeOff program, which Crook helped launch in 2017. TakeOff helps first-generation students transition to university life and to Haslam in particular, and since the program began, the college’s retention rates have been significantly higher than those of other universities. “At First Horizon, we know that a great education leads to better life outcomes and economic prosperity, and changes the trajectory of your life and your children’s lives,” Miller said. “First-generation college students deserve the opportunity to succeed, and we are happy to play a role in making that happen.”
“Our blood runs orange,” Miller said. “We are proud to support the university in so many ways.”
