KNOXVILLE — Johnnie Ray, University of Tennessee vice president for development and alumni affairs and president of the UT Foundation, has decided to resign his position. In a Monday letter to UT President Joe DiPietro, Ray cited family and other priorities as factors in his decision. The effective date of his resignation has not been determined.
Ray has been with the University since November 2011. A national search to fill the position will be initiated at the appropriate time.
“I want to thank Johnnie for his service and move ahead as soon as possible with finding a permanent successor,” DiPietro said.
Lofton Stuart, currently vice president of the UT Foundation, will serve as interim vice president for development and president of the UT Foundation. Stuart also currently serves as executive director of the national UT Alumni Association.
“I’m deeply grateful for the University’s generous friends and supporters, and I am committed to a search for the highest caliber of leadership to ensure we continue to move ahead,” DiPietro said.
“I’m also grateful to Lofton Stuart for his willingness to step up and again serve the University at a critical time. I’m confident in the great people who make up our development and alumni staff and who work every day to make the University of Tennessee better.”
For the most recent fiscal year ended, the UT Foundation raised a record $177 million in private gifts.
“Our fundraising efforts are a testament to the generosity of those who love UT and to the hard work and success of the UT Foundation and its staff,” DiPietro said.