John and Cindy Compton have one big goal in mind for the new University of Tennessee at Knoxville building named in their honor: help students graduate on time.
The $108 million Compton Center for Student Success, scheduled to open in August, will bring academic and career support, first-year math courses, University Honors
and other student services under one roof in the heart of the state's flagship campus."I think for Cindy and I, we view this as a generational investment," John Compton told Knox News in an exclusive interview. "This is not a gift of charity necessarily. Our name is going on that building, and so it needs to stand the test of time. And one day, we won’t be here. Our children will carry the torch. One day their children will carry the torch. It's
really important to us."
The UT System Board of Trustees approved the Compton name during its fall meeting Oct. 16. As the board's chair, John Compton recused himself.
Why John and Cindy Compton felt compelled to give
John Compton graduated from UT in 1983 with a finance degree while Cindy Compton is a native Texan and Stephen F. Austin State University alumna. The two met in Dallas "and that's where my love for UT started," Cindy Compton said.
"And now I bleed orange just as much as if I would have graduated from here," she told Knox News. "I feel like I did because we have so many dear, dear friends that did, and everybody is so passionate about the university, rightfully so."
John Compton rose through the ranks at Frito-Lay and PepsiCo to become its president before spending a short stint as chief executive of Pilot Flying J. He's a partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, which he joined in 2013, and was appointed to the UT System Board of Trustees in 2018, becoming its chair during his first meeting.
"Honestly, out of all the accomplishments and blessings we've had in our life, I think this is one of our most prideful gifts we've ever been able to do," Cindy Compton said, "just because we know that it's going to create success for so many students that pass through here and also support faculty."
Along with hosting math courses, the building will feature a faculty lounge where professors can gather between classes and connect with students.
How the Comptons' gift can boost university success
The Comptons will be honored with a dedication inside the building, Senior Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams said.
Williams projects the Division of Student Success will "at least double" the number of students it serves when the building opens as it aims to improve UT's retention rate, career opportunities and four- and six-year graduation rates.
For the fall 2026 semester, UT reported a record 93.1% retention rate and a record 71.4% four-year graduation rate. By improving those statistics, students can graduate faster, avoid additional college costs and enter the workforce sooner, John Compton said. He equated that to around "$110 million of value creation," roughly matching the cost of the building.
"Rarely do you find a capital investment that can pay back in a year," he said. "That building is going to pay for itself every year that we keep improving those statistics."
The university announced the proposed naming Oct. 8 with the public release of the board's agenda materials, which included recommendations from Chancellor Donde Plowman and UT System President Randy Boyd to honor the couple following an undisclosed donation.
New buildings a 'shining example' of the Volunteer spirit
Just down the hill from the Compton Center for Student Success, Randy Boyd Hall is scheduled to open in fall 2027, giving the area two major new buildings named for influential contemporary UT leaders.
"It's a shining example of how when Tennessee invests in its people, its people come right back and invest in Tennessee," Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement Brian Broyles told Knox News. "At the end of the day, that's what we want. We want to see our state shine."
The Comptons' investment also contributes to UT's It Takes a Volunteer fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $3.5 billion by 2030.
"Our hope and goal," John Compton told Knox News, "is that all students ... see (the Compton Center for Student Success) as a place where they're able to go to be successful."
Keenan Thomas is the higher education reporter for Knox News. Email: keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee donors 'carry the torch' with huge gift | Exclusive
