“‘If we only had the money’ are the words often used to begin a conversation about improvements needed at the University,” said Brenda Lawson, co-chair of the UT Campaign for Tennessee. She recently provided a campaign update for a UTC audience. “Time to Achieve,” UTC’s fundraising component of the UT system’s Campaign for Tennessee, is making good progress toward its $65 million goal, with more than $61 million raised to date.
“The campaign in Chattanooga is reaching out to all friends and supporters and asks them to rise to the occasion,” Lawson said. “Chattanooga has a strong history of sharing blessings with the community and the University.”
Lawson, of Cleveland, Tennessee, serves as UT campaign co-chair with Jim and Natalie Haslam.
Among the donors who recently have established UTC endowments are: Chancellor Roger Brown and his wife, Dr. Carolyn Thompson; former nursing faculty member Dr. Martha Butterfield; Dr. Joe and Professor Mary Jackson; Jerry and Nan Jones; and Dr. Fred and Ruth Obear.
Interim UT President Jan Simek shared that the University continues to be affected by a downturn in the economy. He said the success of this campaign will have an impact on the selection of a new UT president.
Simek said he is encouraged by the response to the campaign.
“It has been impressive to see the level of support friends have for this institution,” said Simek. “The University should be a dream factory where young people can come and fulfill their possibilities, however high they aspire.”
