Local News

PHOTO: Attending the signing of an articulation agreement between UT Martin and TCAT Jackson on March 10 in the Gibson County High School equine building are (l-r) Lyndsey Norman, agriculture instructor and dual enrollment instructor for the GCHS digital agronomy program; Robert Owen, TCAT Jackson digital agronomy/farming operations instructor; Susan Dean, TCAT Jackson dual enrollment coordinator; Britney Ward, TCAT Jackson vice president of student services; Karen Larsen, TC

PHOTO: Students share a laugh on the UT Martin quad as they review notes from class. UT Martin ranked ninth among South Region public colleges and universities – first among Tennessee public colleges and universities – in the recent U.S. News & World Report rankings. The University of Tennessee at Martin continues to shine in the U.S. News & World Report college rankings, placing among the top 20 schools in the South Region in four categories and among the top 60 nationwide i

PHOTO: UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. smiles during a light moment in the UT Martin 125th anniversary celebration kickoff ceremony held Oct. 10, 2025, in the university’s Boling University Center. UTM Faculty Senate President Dr. Sandy Mehlhorn is shown to his left. Freeman and other university representatives will make a statewide 125th anniversary tour in April to promote and celebrate the milestone. Representatives from the University of Tennessee at Martin will ma

No fooling, the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Captain’s Challenge is almost here. The 2026 Captain’s Challenge will be held Wednesday, April 1. Captain’s Challenge is a 24-hour fundraising challenge for alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and fans to support current and future Skyhawks through giving. Gifts made during this time support various scholarships, college funds, athletics and student support systems across the university. The goal for the 2026 Captain’s

CNN political analyst and UTM alumnus Van Jones (left) and CNN anchor and author Abby Phillip will be the featured speakers in UT Martin’s ENTICE Series on Feb. 17 and Feb. 23, respectively. Phillip is a late addition to the 2026 ENTICE Series lineup. She will discuss her latest book, “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power,” in her program. The University of Tennessee at Martin’s ENTICE Series continues next week, featuring a keynote address

When Jay Michael Martin Jr. was a boy, one of his heroes was actor LeVar Burton, whom he watched on the PBS series “Reading Rainbow.” After going through a life of hardships and mental anguish, Martin surfaced and became a local PBS host himself, moving to the national stage during PBS pledge events and emulating his boyhood hero. Martin was the guest speaker Feb. 3 in the first event of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s ENTICE Series, which takes place through Tuesday,

The University of Tennessee at Martin has installed new crosswalk lights and pedestrian signs on Mount Pelia Road to support safer and more predictable crossing behavior for pedestrians. Mount Pelia Road provides access to multiple high-traffic campus buildings, including the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center and the Boling University Center. Following a review of foot traffic and roadway conditions that impact visibility and driver awareness, the decision to enhance safety measur

Spring semester enrollment at the University of Tennessee at Martin will reach approximately 7,550 students, a more than 6% increase over spring 2025. The enrollment news was announced during the winter meeting of the UT Martin Advisory Board held Jan. 23 in the Boling University Center. The enrollment news was among several reports and updates provided to board members by university staff and UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman. The meeting also marked board chair Art Sparks

Discovery Park of America held its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day program Jan. 19, featuring two people with UT Martin connections. The keynote speaker was Dr. Mark McCloud, UTM vice chancellor for access and engagement, and the emcee of the program was UTM first lady Rafielle Freeman, who is also a member of the DPA Board of Directors. McCloud opened his address by quoting the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equ

Registration for the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Summer Orientation And Registration (SOAR) sessions will open online Sunday, Feb. 1. SOAR is a required one-day orientation event designed to introduce first-year students to UT Martin and ease their transition into college life. During these sessions, first-year students will have a chance to become acquainted with UT Martin’s campus culture, learn about curriculum and campus resources, and register for classes. Studen

Students who have been accepted to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin in the fall 2026 semester have a chance to meet faculty members in their chosen field of study, speak with representatives from the UT Martin offices of financial aid and housing, and learn more about college life from the UTM Center for Student Engagement. The UTM Office of Undergraduate Admissions has planned several receptions that are designed with future Skyhawks in mind. There are six Future

Applications are now open for admission into the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks Achieving In Life (SAIL) program for students with intellectual disabilities for the fall 2026 semester, which begins Aug. 24. The SAIL program was created last June and is funded through a Tennessee Believes grant provided through the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. The program provides access to the college experience for students with intellectual disabilities age 18 t

Registration for the University of Tennessee at Martin’s WestStar Elevate: A Summit for Growth and Leadership program presented by PATH Company is now open through Friday, Jan. 23. The theme of the summit is “For the Love of Leadership and Community.” The WestStar Elevate Summit – formerly called the WestStar Working Women’s Conference – is a part of the WestStar Leadership Program marking its 28th annual event. It will be held Friday, Feb. 6, in the Boling University Center

The University of Tennessee at Martin’s annual Civil Rights Conference is being rebranded with a new name. The annual event – which will be held this year from Feb. 3 through March 10 – is marking its 26th year. The conference has been given the name “Evolving Narratives: Tennessee Initiative for Civic Engagement,” or ENTICE. Begun in 2001, the event has brought several nationally-known speakers, historical figures, celebrities and witnesses of history to the UT Martin campus

Dr. Matthew R. Bice has been appointed as the new dean of the University of Tennessee at Martin College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences. The announcement was made Jan. 5 in an email from UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman to UTM faculty and staff. Bice’s official start date will be announced later. Bice is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. He previously held academic and administrative pos

Among the many University of Tennessee at Martin graduates receiving their degrees Dec. 13 were several student-athletes – students who used their athletic talents as a means of earning a college degree. One of those student-athletes was Sydney Eckhardt, a magna cum laude graduate in chemistry and a member of the Skyhawk beach volleyball team from Palm Coast, Florida, originally from Readington, New Jersey. “I really like the versatility of beach volleyball,” she said. “I lik

As the second round of the playoffs starts, Westview High School (WHS) goes against Westmoreland High School, a home game for Westview and a three and a half hour drive for Westmoreland. Some WHS players are close to some personal achievements on the season:  * Running back Asa Barnes has 104 carries for 772 yards with 20 touchdowns. He needs 228 yards on the ground to reach the coveted 1000 yard rushing season. Barnes also has 20 catches for 349 yards receiving yards and 3

Four double-digit scorers guided the University of Tennessee at Martin men's basketball squad to another big victory this evening as the Skyhawks defeated Bradley by a 78-67 margin at Carver Arena. As a result, UT Martin is now 3-0 for just the second time in its NCAA Division I history (since 1992) – also starting the 2020-21 campaign with three consecutive victories. The Skyhawk defense was the story as UT Martin held the Braves – who won 28 games and advanced to the Nation

University of Tennessee at Martin head women's basketball coach Kevin McMillan signed five players Wednesday who will become Skyhawks for the 2026-27 season. "We are extremely excited to welcome this talented group of student-athletes to our program," said McMillan. "Each of these young women brings a unique skill set, strong character, and a championship mentality that align perfectly with our team culture. They are competitors, great teammates, and proven winners who will m

PHOTO: A new Center for Southern Art is being launched by the UT Martin Department of Visual and Theatre Arts and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. The center will host the closing ceremony for the Bellwethers Juried Exhibition of Collegiate Art on Nov. 14 at the West Tennessee Regional Art Center in Humboldt, located at 1200 East Main St. Public parking is available across the street behind the mayor’s office. Students are pictured earlier this fall setting up exhibit