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Dee and Jimmy Haslam, prominent alumni and business leaders, have committed a historic $130 million to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, marking the largest investment in UT System history. The gift will strengthen student success initiatives, attract world-class faculty, and bolster the university’s research standing across multiple disciplines.
Quick Facts
- $100 million designated for Haslam College of Business to hire faculty, fund scholarships, and expand student success programs
- $30 million for university-wide faculty recruitment in AI, cybersecurity, and nuclear energy fields
- Haslams’ lifetime giving to UT now totals over $195 million, including prior contributions to scholarships and athletics
- $50 million of the gift serves as matching funds to encourage additional donations from other alumni and donors
A Generational Investment in Education and Research
The Haslams announced the gift on June 4, 2026, with a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to the university’s momentum. “The university is experiencing extraordinary momentum, and we are proud to help elevate its national reputation, attract world-class faculty and support the next generation of leaders,” they said. Chancellor Donde Plowman called the investment transformative, noting it will fuel the university’s “high standard of excellence” and grow its impact across Tennessee and beyond.
The $100 million portion directed to the Haslam College of Business—named after Jimmy Haslam’s father, James A. Haslam II—will support the college’s undergraduate honors program, graduate student scholarships, and partnership with the Division of Student Success. The college serves more than 30% of UT’s total undergraduate enrollment, making it the largest student population on campus.
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The remaining $30 million will fund a campus-wide faculty recruitment initiative focused on research leadership in emerging fields. UT has built momentum in nuclear energy, cancer treatment research, and quantum computing, and the investment aims to attract preeminent scholars to strengthen these areas further.
Student Success and Retention Gains
The Division of Student Success, established in 2019, has achieved measurable results that the Haslams’ investment will expand. First-year student retention reached 92.4% in the most recent year, up six percentage points since the division’s founding. Over the same period, UT has seen a 40% increase in the number of graduates, driven by tailored support programs that focus on each student’s unique strengths and career goals.
Amber Williams, senior vice provost for student success, said the investment allows the division to “dream without limits.” Plans include opening a new Vol Study Center in the business college, expanding academic coaching from freshman through graduation, and launching the Rocky Top Scholars program to support lower-income students. The division is also exploring AI-powered tools to provide resume feedback and interview preparation.
Fellow alumnus Peyton Manning, the former quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer, endorsed the gift in a statement. “My time as a student at UT and the relationships I built with my professors had a profound impact on my life,” Manning said, expressing gratitude for the Haslams’ effort to ensure future students have the same transformative experience.
A History of Commitment to Tennessee
The Haslams are Knoxville natives with a long track record of philanthropic engagement. Dee Haslam earned a degree in education from UT in 1986 and served as CEO of RIVR Media Companies until 2018. Jimmy Haslam attended UT before building Pilot Corporation into the largest travel center company in the United States; he served as CEO from 1996 to 2020 and is now executive chairman of Gate City Energy.
Beyond higher education, the couple has invested in their community. In 2020, the Haslam family donated $35 million to Knoxville’s Lakeshore Park to improve sports fields and recreational amenities. They also opened the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex in the city’s Lonsdale community in December 2019. As managing partners of the Haslam Sports Group, they own the Cleveland Browns and hold significant stakes in the Milwaukee Bucks and Columbus Crew.
Governor Bill Lee praised the investment as evidence of deep commitment to Tennessee’s future workforce. “By expanding opportunity for talented students, supporting world-class faculty and strengthening Tennessee’s workforce pipeline, this investment will help ensure that the Volunteer State remains a place where innovation, opportunity and service thrive,” Lee said in a statement.
Sources
- University of Tennessee News — Official announcement of the $130 million investment, details on allocation, and statements from Chancellor Plowman and the Haslams
- Knoxville News Sentinel — In-depth reporting on the gift structure, matching funds, faculty hiring plans, student success initiatives, and background on the Haslams’ business careers and prior philanthropy
