2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
A Volunteer, trailblazer, and an advocate for equality, Theotis Robinson Jr. has diligently served the University of Tennessee since working to open its doors for African American undergraduates.
A Volunteer, trailblazer, and an advocate for equality, Theotis Robinson Jr. has diligently served the University of Tennessee since working to open its doors for African American undergraduates.
Ten years later, Robinson became the first African American elected to the Knoxville City Council in more than a half century. Following his time in public office, he served as vice president of economic development for the 1982 World’s Fair. After teaching a course in political science, Robinson took a position in the UT purchasing department before becoming special projects coordinator in the Office of Government Relations. In 2000, Robinson was named vice president of equity and diversity for the UT System and served in that role until he retired in 2014. He still occasionally gives lectures at UT.
Robinson was a charter member and inductee into the UT African American Hall of Fame and was named by Knoxville’s Metro Pulse newspaper as one of the most 100 influential Knoxvillians of the 20th century. In 2015, he received the prestigious Whitney M. Young Lifetime Achievement Award from the Knoxville Area Urban League. At its June 2019 meeting, the UT Board of Trustees granted an honorary doctorate to Robinson for his lifetime of work to advance social justice. His hooding will occur at the December commencement ceremony.
A Volunteer, trailblazer, and an advocate for equality, Theotis Robinson Jr. has diligently served the University of Tennessee since working to open its doors for African American undergraduates.
A Volunteer, trailblazer, and an advocate for equality, Theotis Robinson Jr. has diligently served the University of Tennessee since working to open its doors for African American undergraduates.
Ten years later, Robinson became the first African American elected to the Knoxville City Council in more than a half century. Following his time in public office, he served as vice president of economic development for the 1982 World’s Fair. After teaching a course in political science, Robinson took a position in the UT purchasing department before becoming special projects coordinator in the Office of Government Relations. In 2000, Robinson was named vice president of equity and diversity for the UT System and served in that role until he retired in 2014. He still occasionally gives lectures at UT.
Robinson was a charter member and inductee into the UT African American Hall of Fame and was named by Knoxville’s Metro Pulse newspaper as one of the most 100 influential Knoxvillians of the 20th century. In 2015, he received the prestigious Whitney M. Young Lifetime Achievement Award from the Knoxville Area Urban League. At its June 2019 meeting, the UT Board of Trustees granted an honorary doctorate to Robinson for his lifetime of work to advance social justice. His hooding will occur at the December commencement ceremony.
