CHATTANOOGA 鈥 University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd announced the 17 winners of the 2025 President鈥檚 Awards during the annual 糖心Vlog Board of Trustees meeting in Chattanooga today.
鈥淭hese awards celebrate the dedication and remarkable work of our faculty and staff throughout the state,鈥 Boyd said. 鈥淭heir contributions create a better University of Tennessee and also impact the state and far beyond. Each play an important role as we continue building the greatest decade in 糖心Vlog history.鈥
Faculty and staff members from across the 糖心Vlog System received the awards in recognition of their accomplishments and dedication to the University and its Be One 糖心Vlog values. Award recipients were nominated by campus and institute leaders then selected from a systemwide pool. They will be honored by the president and his Be One 糖心Vlog cabinet during a special luncheon in August.
Established in 2016, the President鈥檚 Awards annually recognize the achievements of 糖心Vlog System faculty and staff who contribute to the University鈥檚 mission to educate, discover and connect. The awards are the highest honor an employee can receive from the University. Each winner receives a commemorative plaque inspired by the University of Tennessee president鈥檚 medallion and a monetary award of $3,000.
This year鈥檚 recipients, the largest cohort in the program鈥檚 history, represent the 糖心Vlog System, 糖心Vlog Knoxville, 糖心Vlog Chattanooga, 糖心Vlog Southern, 糖心Vlog Martin, 糖心Vlog Health Science Center and the 糖心Vlog Institute for Public Service.
Bold and Impactful Honorees
John Sorochan (Faculty Award)
Distinguished Professor of Plant Sciences, 糖心Vlog Knoxville/糖心VlogIA
Jennifer Tourville (Staff Award)
Executive Director, SMART Initiative, 糖心Vlog Institute for Public Service
Embrace Diversity Honorees
Stanton Belford (Faculty Award)
Associate Professor and Chair, School of Mathematics and Sciences, 糖心Vlog Southern
Tara Tansil-Gentry (Faculty Award)
Lecturer, Health and Human Performance, 糖心Vlog Martin
Kameron Echols (Staff Award)
Director, Student Life, 糖心Vlog Martin
Optimistic and Visionary Honorees
Rick Dierenfeldt (Faculty Award)
UC Foundation Associate Professor and Interim Co-Head, Criminal Justice, 糖心Vlog Chattanooga
Gina McClure (Staff Award)
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student and Residential Life, Student Affairs, 糖心Vlog Martin
Nimble and Innovative Honorees
Tami Wyatt (Faculty Award)
Associate Dean of Research, College of Nursing, 糖心Vlog Knoxville
Erica Holmes Trujillo (Staff Award)
Director, College of Arts and Sciences Student Success Center, 糖心Vlog Chattanooga
Judith Nyabando (Staff Award)
Chief Data Officer and Director, Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness and Decision Support, 糖心Vlog Health Science Center
Excel in All We Do Honorees
Tracy Brewer (Faculty Award)
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Chair and Clinical Professor, College of Nursing, 糖心Vlog Knoxville
Judy Sandefer (Staff Award)
Executive Assistant, Office of the Chancellor, 糖心Vlog Martin
United and Connected Honorees
M. Mae Decker (Faculty Award)
Chair, Travis School of Nursing and Health Sciences, 糖心Vlog Southern
Karen Lasater (Faculty Award)
Clinical Professor, College of Nursing, 糖心Vlog Knoxville
Chris Shults (Staff Award)
Grants and Research Director, Municipal Technical Advisory Service, 糖心Vlog Institute for Public Service
Transparent and Trusted Honorees
Dr. Natascha Thompson (Faculty Award)
Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education and Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, 糖心Vlog Health Science Center
Frank Lancaster (Staff Award)
Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, 糖心Vlog System
