From a new building name to the launch of even more residence hall construction, updates are coming to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville after the UT System Board of Trustees signed on to ambitious plans for the campus.
The board met in the Student Union on Oct. 15-16 to review new projects and make academic changes. A lot happened.
The board updated the list of institutions that all five UT campuses use for comparison to make sure they're keeping pace with peer universities. Also, the university set the stage to give out an honorary degree to someone who’s name might be familiar to students on campus, and students can anticipate a new technology-focused business degree soon.
Here's a recap of the major decisions.
The next set of 'Rocky' dorms are coming
The board approved plans
for the next residence hall on campus, Rocky North, to replace Reese Hall, which is being demolished.
The $98.27 million dormitory project is an extension of the Knoxville campus’ public-private partnership with Provident Resources Group and developer RISE to replace aging student housing with brand new buildings. The groups completed work on the first set of three dorms in August, and will now begin work on the next three residence halls.
Rocky West and Rocky South will be the next two in the works to replace the North and South Carrick halls, with the demolition cost for the old dormitories included with this current phase. The board will vote on the next phase plans in February and, if approved, all three residence halls will house more than 1,500 students.
Honorary degree will be given to Judith Anderson Herbert
UT plans to give an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Judith Anderson Herbert.
Herbert is an alumna of the university with an English degree, and she’s played an instrumental role in writing instruction on campus from her work as a student in evaluating first-year writing to philanthropic gifts that established the Judith Anderson Herbert Excellence in Writing Endowment.
Students on campus may recognize her name at the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center through the College of Arts and Sciences, with the college's faculty pushing for Herbert to receive an honorary degree, Chancellor Donde Plowman said during her presentation to the board.
UT named the Herbert College of Agriculture after her and her husband, Dr. James Herbert, in recognition of their support of the university. The two were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
“Mrs. Herbert’s legacy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is one of vision, humility, and enduring impact,” Plowman said in her nomination letter included in the board agenda. “Her commitment to empowering students, strengthening academic programs, and giving back to the university she holds dear reflects the very essence of this distinguished honor.”
New business innovation degree coming to University of Tennessee at Knoxville
The Haslam College of Business will add a new degree to its repertoire, planning to make it available for the fall 2027 semester pending state approval.
The Information Systems for Business Innovation bachelor's degree aims to prepare graduating students to “bridge business and technology” together in their careers as information systems develop and new technologies emerge, according to a presentation to the board.
The degree is in response to demands for Computer Systems Analysts and IT jobs in Tennessee and the southeastern region. Potential careers include:
- Systems analyst
- Management analyst
- Information security analyst
- Database professional
- IT consultant
UT projects around 140 students will enroll in this degree program when it launches and grow to 473 students by the fourth year it’s available, bringing in more than $2.44 million and up to $8.26 million based on increasing enrollment projections.
UT will seek approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to start offering the degree to students.
University of Tennessee will start comparing itself to these institutions
The board approved new lists of comparable and aspirational peers for each of the campuses, including the flagship Knoxville campus.
These are universities around the country that are similar in size and scope to UT campuses in aspects including research, student enrollment and degrees awarded. Additionally, the Knoxville campus has other specific measures including Association of American Universities membership, flagship institutions, Southeastern Conference athletic programs, veterinary programs, campuses without a medical school and land grant institution status.
UT's updated list cut some universities and added a few. It now features the following institutions:
- In comparison to:
- Virginia Tech University
- North Carolina State University
- New – Indiana University
- University of Colorado
- New – Florida State University
- University of Missouri, Columbia
- University of South Carolina
- Auburn University
- Iowa State University
- Clemson University
- Aspiring to be:
- Penn State University
- New – University of Wisconsin
- University of Illinois
- New – University of Minnesota
- Purdue University
- University of Georgia
New Student Success building has a name
The board approved the naming of one of the newest buildings on the Knoxville campus as the Compton Center for Student Success, following an undisclosed investment from John and Cindy Compton.
The $108 million building, scheduled to open in August, will house the Division of Student Success, University Honors, first-year math classes and several other academic centers right next to John C. Hodges Library.
The naming continues a recent trend of honoring major donors, university leaders and longtime supporters through building and college names, including:
- Randy Boyd Hall (2026)
- Charles and Julie Wharton Chemistry Building (2025)
- Frank Winston College of Law and Building (2025)
- John H. McLeod Food Science Building (2025)
- Natalie L. Haslam College of Music (2024)
After the meeting concluded, UT System leaders attended a ceremony at the building site to commemorate a construction milestone and the new name that will greet students when it opens next year.
Keenan Thomas is the higher education reporter for Knox News. Email: keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
Get The T: All the news for you about UT in one spot every week
Learn about the latest from the state’s flagship campus. Our weekly email newsletter is tailored for alums, UT staffers, students, parents and community members.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: New dorm, new building name, new degree coming to University of Tennessee
