Haslam College of Business - UT Director Attends Air Force Scholars Conference

Andy White, director of the Aerospace & Defense Business Institute at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, recently joined scholars from universities and think tanks across the country at Columbia University in New York for the National Security Scholars Conference.

White, a United States Air Force veteran whose military career spanned 20 years, discussed the strategic direction of the Air Force and its contribution to national defense with Deborah Lee James, secretary of the Air Force, and other service members.

“It was an honor to participate in this conference,” White said. “Air Force leaders understand the importance of public trust and support. The conference is just one more way the military remains in touch with the public perspective. It also strengthens the link between our nation’s military and academia.”

Representatives from 12 universities and 13 think tanks attended, including thought leaders from: Columbia, Georgetown, Fordham, George Washington and Harvard universities, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Brookings Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Enterprise Institute and the Rand Corporation.

“UT was invited because of the breadth of our capabilities and contributions to national security and our strategic relationship with the Air Force,” White said. “Professors and students all across the campus and system do great things in support of the Air Force and America’s national security.”

Founded in 2015, the Aerospace & Defense Business Institute at UT expands industry outreach and service and enhances coordination of efforts by colleges across UT. Institute offerings include the Aerospace & Defense MBA program, non-degree short courses and research on key business processes affecting the industry.