230 Years and Counting: UT Stronger Than Ever

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd delivered the 2025 State of the University Address, celebrating record-breaking achievements, expanding research efforts and highlighting the university’s growing impact across the state. Joined by UT campus chancellors and institute leaders, Boyd highlighted the collective momentum driving the UT System forward as it continues to deliver on its promise of making this the greatest decade in UT history.

“In 230 years, the University of Tennessee has never been stronger,” Boyd said. “We are at the halfway point of the greatest decade in UT history, and the numbers speak for themselves.”

Key Highlights from the Address:

• Record-breaking infrastructure investment – A record-breaking and historic investment proposal by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee of more than a quarter of a billion dollars to enhance UT’s facilities, including the UT Knoxville Chemistry building, the UT Martin College of Business and Global Affairs, 4-H Camp enhancements and capital maintenance.
• Record enrollment and graduation – The UT System serves 62,149 students, an 18.2% increase over five years, with graduation and retention rates at historic highs. This growth trajectory positions the UT System to exceed its 2030 goal of 71,000 students across all campuses.
• Financial strength – Since 2020, UT’s revenues have grown 32% to an all-time high of $3.4 billion, and investments in infrastructure continue to increase.
• Expanding research impact – Research expenditures reached a record $484 million, driving innovation and economic growth across Tennessee.

UT campus chancellors and institute leaders shared insights into major research initiatives that are shaping the future of the UT System:

• UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman highlighted UTK’s growing reputation as a top-tier public research university, showcasing key initiatives such as the Tennessee Reading Research Center, which brings expertise in literacy development, instruction, assessment, educational technology, speech and language, and literacy research methodology. Additionally, Plowman highlighted the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, which is leveraging data analytics to identify areas most affected by drug abuse and determine optimal locations for treatment centers.
• UT Chattanooga Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley emphasized UTC’s commitment to reducing gun violence in their communities through its Violence Reduction Initiative, which is using data-driven research to reshape criminal justice efforts in Chattanooga, focusing on crime prevention, community engagement and evidence-based strategies. Dooley also highlighted the Rural Assessment and Intervention Library initiative, which is enhancing mental health support in rural schools by providing telehealth services, training resources and expanded access to school psychologists.
• UT Southern Chancellor Linda Martin stressed the importance of people, purpose and partnerships. From nursing research to meet the region’s growing health care demands, to red hickory orchard planting in partnership with the UT Institute of Agriculture, to special education research aimed at expanding resources in underserved communities, Martin underscored UT Southern’s commitment to strengthening the communities it serves.
• UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman explained research being conducted on corn production, which will help farmers produce at a higher rate through more precise insecticide application. He also spoke about UT Martin’s partnership with Ford’s Blue Oval City, assisting Ford in identifying the top social and economic priorities for the Stanton community based on resident input.
• UT Health Science Center Chancellor Peter Buckley highlighted UTHSC’s partnership with UT Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute in research to advance targeted cancer treatments, utilizing precision medicine and radioisotopes to develop innovative therapies that improve patient outcomes.
• UT Institute for Public Service Vice President Herb Byrd spoke about the Substance Misuse and Addiction Resource for Tennessee Initiative, which guides community leaders in implementing evidence-based, cost-effective strategies that mitigate damage from substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic.
• UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice President/Senior Vice Chancellor Keith Carver highlighted UTIA’s commitment to Tennessee’s $10 billion poultry industry through the construction of a state-of-the-art, next-generation poultry research and education facility at its Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill. Additionally, Carver spoke about Gov. Lee’s proposed investment in 4-H through $46.25 million in grant funding that will support capital enhancements at the UTIA’s 4-H camps statewide, improving facilities and expanding opportunities for Tennessee’s youth to engage in agricultural education and leadership development.

“We are committed to making a difference in every corner of Tennessee,” Boyd said. “Our faculty, staff, students and alumni are driving progress every day and together, we are building a legacy that will impact generations to come.”

To watch the full State of the University Address or learn more about UT’s progress, visit https://tennessee.edu/state-of-ut. To view downloadable photo files click here.