ALISHA MELTON NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR –

Alisha Melton has been named executive director of the University of Tennessee at Martin Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development.

MARTIN, TENN., Jan. 9, 2023 – HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE – Martin Mayor Randy Brundige

(left) presents Dr. Danny Donaldson with the City of Martin Harold Conner Award during the 2019

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Breakfast. Donaldson – a Martin optometrist, current president of

the UT Martin Alumni Council and noted local pianist – will perform at the event. Award presentations,

including the 2023 Conner Award presented by Brundige, will also be part of the event set for 9 a.m., Jan.

16, in the Martin Event Center. The public is invited, and tickets are available through Eventbrite.

MARTIN, Tenn., December 22, 2022 – UT MARTIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM

CELEBRATES FIRST MASTER’S GRADUATE – Cpt. Wesley Stafford (foreground) crossed the UT

Martin commencement stage Dec. 10 and became the first graduate of the Master of Science in Criminal

Justice program.

MARTIN, TENN., Dec. 21, 2022 – SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES – UT Martin spring semester

classes will begin Thursday, Jan. 12, following the winter holiday closing that includes Christmas and the

New Year’s Day observances.

MARTIN, TENN., Dec. 16, 2022 – 2022 WESTTEACH CLASS GRADUATES DEC. 13 –

Members of the 2022 WestTeach class graduated Dec. 13 at UT Martin. Those graduating were first row (l, r) Alyssa Bynum, Dresden Elementary School; Deana Sain, Bolivar Middle School; Haley Williams, Crockett County High School; Ann Johnson, Munford High School; Bethany Enochs, East Elementary (Humboldt); Taylor Record, Dyer Elementary School; Ariell White, Anderson Early Childhood Center (Haywood County); Lauren Mathis, Dyersburg Intermediate School; and Virginia Grimes, WestStar assistant director; second row (l, r) Jennifer Black, WestStar program manager; Bellis May, Hardin County High School; Melissa Berry, Henry County High School; Candi Collier, Milan High School; Jennifer Walls, Trenton Rosenwald Middle School; Holly Meyer, Briarwood Elementary (Camden); Crystal Prince, Lake County High School; Monica Robbins, Holice Powell School (Dyer County); third row (l, r) Dr. Charley Deal, vice chancellor, UT Martin Division of University Advancement; Dr. Keith Carver, UT Martin chancellor; Dana Paramenter, Ripley High School; fourth row (l, r) Jamie Knott, South Fulton High School; Tabias Hood, Tipton Rosemark Academy (Millington); Clayton Morris, West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School; Spencer Ezell, Huntingdon High School; Wes Holmes, Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School; Bob Sparks, Jackson Central-Merry Early College High; and Rebecca Rainey, Lexington High School. (Not pictured is Lisa Forsythe, McNairy Central High School.)

MARTIN, TENN., Dec. 14, 2022 – NUNNELLY SCHOLARSHIP MAKES DEGREE POSSIBLE –

Emily Mathews (foreground) crossed the UT Martin commencement stage Dec. 10 as the first Nunnelly

Family Scholarship recipient to graduate from the university. She received a bachelor’s degree in health

and human performance.

UT PRESIDENT SPEAKS – UT System President Randy Boyd delivered the address at both fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 10 at UT Martin.

FHU President David R. Shannon and NFL Quarterback Kurt Warner answered questions about his football journey that is portrayed in the movie “American Underdog” and the importance of the nonprofit he and Brenda founded, Treasure House. 

ETERNAL FLAME – UT Martin’s eternal flame was

“relighted” during a Nov. 28 ceremony in the university’s Paul Meek Library. A ceramic flame

created by retired UT Martin faculty member David McBeth (pictured placing the flame) now

sits atop the display that is located on the library’s second floor. Also participating in the

ceremony was Dr. Keith Carver (left foreground), university chancellor.