Investing in the future
The Importance Of Involved Donors
Alumni donors are appreciated college stakeholders and essential to making the new Haslam College of Business building a reality. Three alumni share why they chose to give, as well as their hopes for the college’s future.
Joe Fielden
President and CEO of J. A. Fielden
A longtime member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, Fielden had a front-row seat to Haslam’s evolution over the past decade. “Our student body has grown dramatically and continues to do so,” Fielden says. “The new building is an integral part of the college’s development. We need to have the finest facilities available to continue to attract and retain exceptional students and faculty.”
Jack Mills
CEO, JB&B Capital LLC
M ills believes the new business building will continue
to build the college’s reputation throughout the region and nation. “We need to invest in winners, and the Haslam College of Business is a winner,” Mills says. “It yields great benefit to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the local and state economies. I’m excited about this project because I think it’s a great investment and a critical one. I applaud the college and university for the initiative, and I think it’s important that alumni support it.”
Marty Brown
President and CEO, PYA
Brown’s memories of the Glocker Business Building play a role in why he chose to donate funds toward the new building. “When I remember my time as a University of Tennessee student, I remember Glocker,” he says. “A building is a physical connection to the college and a gathering place where students and faculty create memories.” Brown wants to ensure current and future Haslam students have adequate space to gather and collaborate. “Another building that reflects the value of the business degree is going to be integral in the long run—to the students and the university.”
As the college recruits high-quality business faculty from around the world, the ability to offer top-tier office, classroom, collaboration, and research spaces is pivotal to attracting talent. Tingliang (Tom) Huang, Amazon Distinguished Professor of Business Analytics and business analytics PhD program recruiting lead, is excited about the new spaces for research collaboration between faculty and doctoral students. “Our new building promises to provide a fantastic space for PhD offices and faculty offices to be located near each other, helping to foster the frequent interactions needed to build and maintain a great research environment.” Common spaces also will be important for attracting and retaining students.
In addition to providing space the college needs, the new building will highlight the beauty of the surrounding outdoor space with large windows to provide plenty of natural light along with views of green spaces, trees, and the historic Tyson House.
An Inclusive Planning Committee
From the start, Haslam leaders worked to build a core team of individuals who represent all members of the college, from students to faculty and staff. “We wanted to involve the entire community and ensure everyone has a constituency that can help make specific decisions about the building’s design,” says Betsy Adams, assistant dean of operations, strategy, and planning. For example, when planning the ACEI’s new spaces, the committee gathered teams from the center to assess needs and work through the details of layout and design. “As best as we can manage, we’ve had college-wide input.”
The 20 members of the committee meet weekly to discuss details and provide input. For each decision, committee leaders gather comments from relevant college community stakeholders, consolidate feedback, and deliver it to the project architects to inform their process. MBA student Vanida Vongsamphanh, who serves on the committee, believes it’s important to include everyone in these decisions. “While the process is very complex and time-consuming, taking this approach will help ensure the building meets everyone’s needs. It’s been cool to see it firsthand and be part of the process.”
Ripple Effects of the College’s Growth
The college is attracting large numbers of high-quality students who enrich and broaden the university and positively impact the wider community. Haslam’s current undergraduate retention rate stands at 93.4 percent from the first to the second year. “Prospective students see Haslam as a place offering a top-quality business education and great job opportunities,” Mangum says. “Recruiters increasingly see Haslam as a top provider in meeting their talent needs. The college is a place where students can come and get the benefits of a smaller, focused community within a large university.”
UT System President Randy Boyd says, “UT is laser focused on meeting the needs of the state of Tennessee and its growing demand for high-skilled professionals, and Haslam College is second to none in providing that talent. From world-renowned supply chain specialists to accountants to finance and management professionals, UT’s Haslam College of Business is where the state, and the world, turn to.”
The planning committee meets. Members are: (seated, L–R) Tingliang Huang, Tanya Brown, Scott Roark, Clarence Vaughn III, Betsy Adams, Vanida Vongsamphanh, Steve Mangum, Benjamin Compton, and Thomas Deakins; and (standing, L–R) Dwight Campbell, Tami Touchstone, Libby Magill, Sara Easler, Carter Kelly, Meredith Hulette, Jonathan Harvey, and Tan Kim. Not pictured, Eddie Armbrister, Somer Chyz, George Drinnon III, and Christina Hymer.
