An Investment That Will Transform Generations
A historic investment from Dee and Jimmy Haslam in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Haslam College of Business will create unprecedented opportunities for students, faculty and the future of business education.
$100 Million Designated for the Haslam College of Business
A historic $130 million investment by alumni Dee and Jimmy Haslam will bolster student success and faculty recruitment at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and its Haslam College of Business while strengthening the role of the university as a leader in higher education.
“We are honored to make this investment in UT and the Haslam College of Business,” said Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “The university is experiencing extraordinary momentum, and we are proud to help elevate its national reputation, attract world-class faculty and support the next generation of leaders — all while keeping the best and brightest here in Tennessee.”
"This historic investment will help fuel our high standard of excellence and grow the impact our university has on the people and communities we serve across Tennessee and beyond."
– Chancellor Donde Plowman, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleThe largest portion of the investment — $100 million — will be earmarked for the Haslam College of Business to attract distinguished faculty and further enhance its student success initiatives, graduate student scholarships and undergraduate honors program. The college’s undergraduate student population is the largest at UT, accounting for more than 30 percent of the university’s total undergraduate enrollment.
This latest investment builds on the commitment to UT long established by Dee and Jimmy Haslam, whose lifetime giving now totals over $195 million.
The Scale of Transformation
A Legacy of Giving Back
Dee Haslam earned a degree in education in 1986. An Emmy Award-winning TV producer, she was the CEO of RIVR Media Companies until 2018 and is currently an executive producer with RIVR Media.
After attending UT, Jimmy Haslam began his career at Pilot Corporation. Named CEO in 1996, he grew Pilot into the largest travel center company and the fifth-largest private company in the United States. He was chairman of the board for Pilot Company from 2020 to 2023 and CEO from 1996 to 2020. Currently he is executive chairman of Gate City Energy.
Dee and Jimmy hold the positions of CEO and chairman, respectively, as the managing partners of the Haslam Sports Group, whose portfolio includes ownership of the Cleveland Browns, a controlling interest in the Milwaukee Bucks, the role of investor-operators of the two-time (2020, 2023) MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew and an investment in the WNBA.
The Haslams have always been committed to the Knoxville community and are dedicated to positively impacting the region. In 2020, the Haslam family donated $35 million to Knoxville’s Lakeshore Park to improve baseball fields, soccer fields and other amenities outlined in the park’s master plan. In December 2019, the Haslams helped open the doors to the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex in the city’s Lonsdale community.
The Haslams follow their central belief of active engagement through time, effort, strategy, metrics and investment. With a primary focus on education and youth sports, they are consistently committed to creating sustainable and meaningful change.
How This Will Shape the Future
We expand horizons by supporting learning and building leadership capabilities. Excellence attracts, and this investment will further enhance our ability to deliver on commitments to quality and relevance through research, learning and expanded opportunities. We are deeply appreciative of the continued support from Dee and Jimmy that makes it possible.
Light the way for others
Every gift contributes to the mission of the Haslam College of Business. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the world.