MEMPHIS—The University of Tennessee President’s Council held its 10th annual showcase and awards dinner on Nov. 22 in Memphis.
Throughout the day, Council members discovered the critical work driving UTHSC’s vision for ‘Healthy Tennesseans, Thriving Communities.’ They toured the new Delta Dental Building and learned about the transformative Healthy Smiles Initiative — an effort dedicated to expanding access to dentists and dental care throughout Tennessee. They also had the chance to hear from the UT Research Foundation and witness the College of Nursing Mobile Health Unit in action, an essential resource bringing health care access to nearby counties. This unit offers students hands-on experience delivering patient-centered care while promoting health in underserved communities.
Members learned about UTHSC’s partnerships statewide, including an exciting convergent research initiative in radiopharmacology with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, part of the groundbreaking UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute. They gained insight into rapid whole-genome sequencing capabilities and received updates on our expanding collaboration with Regional One Health, exploring new possibilities for advancing care across our region.
That evening members attended the President’s Council awards dinner at the Hyatt Centric on Beale Street. UT System President Randy Boyd delivered keynote remarks, while Collage Youth Dance Ensemble provided the evening’s entertainment.
“These award winners truly embody what it means to serve and lead,” Boyd said. “By stepping up to make a difference, they’re not just helping today’s communities — they’re shaping the leaders of tomorrow and creating a stronger future for our state. Their dedication and impact are helping us continue to build the greatest decade in UT’s history, helping create a legacy that will benefit every Tennessean for generations to come.”
UT honored four recipients for their dedication and service.
Dr. Brian Winbigler, a 2003 UT Knoxville and 2014 UT Health Science Center alumnus was inducted into the UT Alumni Association (UTAA) Past Presidents Council. Winbigler is the 2023-24 president of the UT Alumni Association Board of Governors. He is currently the site manager for Alliance for Multispecialty Research and contributes to opioid overdose prevention and education efforts as a regional overdose prevention specialist for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Additionally, Winbigler volunteers and serves as an educator in organizations that address substance misuse prevention. He also holds memberships in several state and national pharmacy associations.
Ron Frieson, a 1981 UT Knoxville graduate, received the President’s Council Service Award. Frieson serves as the chief operating officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and has made significant contributions to UTK. Ron, and his identical twin Don, wanted students from diverse backgrounds like their own to have ample opportunities to succeed in college and beyond. The Frieson brothers donated $1 million to the Black Cultural Center, renamed the Frieson Black Cultural Center in 2022. Ron Frieson has served in various leadership roles, including interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, an organization dedicated to the economic success of African Americans. He has been recognized for his exceptional service to UT, receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022.
The Kennedy Foundation was honored with the Philanthropist of the Year Award. In October 2023, the foundation made an $8 million gift to UT Chattanooga, marking the single largest donation to the UTC School of Nursing. This transformational gift will fund the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, enabling the nursing program to expand enrollment by over 150% and help address the regional nursing shortage. The building honors Dorothy Kennedy, a UTC alumna and published poet, and her husband Jim Kennedy Jr., co-founder of Kenco, fulfilling his wish to support his hometown through the Kennedy Foundation.
Sara Croley and her husband Ross received the Jim and Natalie Haslam Presidential Medal. The Croleys made a transformative $7.5 million investment to UTK’s College of Nursing, helping to fund the construction of the new Croley Nursing Building, multiple scholarships and the Endowed Dean’s Chair for the College of Nursing. Sara Croley, a third-generation UTK graduate and former pediatric nurse, has dedicated her time to volunteering in the Knoxville community. She implemented the Backpack Buddies program at Farragut Primary and Intermediate Schools, helping children experiencing food insecurity to take home meals for the weekend. Her work has earned her recognition from the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc., the American Red Cross and UT Knoxville, earning her the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. Ross Croley founded Community Brands, Ministry Brands and many other vertical market software now under the Greater Sum Ventures umbrella.
About the Awards
The President’s Council Service Award acknowledges exceptional service in the advancement of the University toward the achievement of excellence. Previous recipients include Allen Carter (2023), Michael Littlejohn (2022), Lynne Fain (2021), Michael Strickland (2019), Thomas Griscom (2018), Waymon Hickman Sr. (2017), Phillip Fulmer (2016), Jim Duke (2015), Dr. Philip Wenk (2014), Michael Strickland (2013), Bill Blankenship (2012), Jim Powell (2011), Waymon
Hickman (2010), Charles and Julie Wharton (2009), John Sorey (2008) and Charlie W. Brinkley Jr. (2007).
Created in 2007, the Philanthropist of the Year Award goes to donors who have made a significant gift to the University of Tennessee. It recognizes the profound impact a single gift can make to the university. Previous winners include Jeff and Marla Gerber (2023), Melanie Smith Taylor (2022), H.J. Maxedon, Jr. (2021), Bill and Rosann Nunnelly (2019), Gary and Kathleen Rollins (2018), Bill Latimer (2017), Jim and Judi Herbert (2016), William Blankenship (2015), Donnie and Terry Smith (2014), Dr. Robert Kaplan (2013), Brenda Lawson (2012), Charles and Moll Anderson (2011), John and Ann Tickle (2010), Tom and Kathleen Elam (2009), Barbara and Ralph Hamilton (2008) and Jane and David Bailey (2007).
Since 2007, the Jim and Natalie Haslam Presidential Medal has been awarded to individuals who have shown a notable record of supporting the University of Tennessee through personal giving, leadership and service. Honorees demonstrate a willingness and ability to motivate others to support the University and have a personal history of integrity and excellence in all aspects of life. Previous recipients include Dr. Philip Wenk (2023), Charles Wharton (2022), Donnie and Terry Smith (2021), Jim and Judi Herbert (2019), Sen. Lamar Alexander (2018), Jim and Sandy Powell (2017), Dr. Robert Kaplan (2016), John and Ann Tickle (2015), Hank Lauricella (2014), R. Clayton McWhorter (2013), Andrea Loughry (2012), former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (2011), Scott L. Probasco Jr. (2010), Pat Summitt (2009), Peyton Manning (2008) and Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. (2007).
Since its inception in 1965, the UT Alumni Association (UTAA) Past Presidents Council has served as an advisory council to the UTAA and as a resource for current alumni programs.
About the President’s Council
The President’s Council is a constituency of alumni and friends who understand and support higher education broadly in Tennessee. It is composed of volunteer leaders who have the opportunity to serve as the University’s premier advocates. The council is the UT System President’s core volunteer leadership group charged with advancing the system’s mission to serve the people of Tennessee and beyond through discovery, communication and application of knowledge necessary to create a cohesive, consistent and unifying system model of advancement.
About the University of Tennessee System
The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls about 62,000 students statewide; produces about 14,000 new graduates every year; and represents more than 454,000 alumni around the world.