Advancement Newsletter | June 30, 2026 | Volume 2
From the Flight Deck
News
Development Feature
Scholarship Endowment Eases Path to Post-Grad Success
News
For many finance and accounting graduates, earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is the next critical step toward a successful career—but the cost of getting there can be a significant hurdle. From hundreds of dollars in exam fees to comprehensive review courses and study materials that can total thousands more, preparing for the CPA exam often places a heavy financial burden on recent graduates already navigating the transition from college to career. However, UT Martin accounting and finance graduates have access to fund assistance thanks to the Dr. Nell Gullett CBGA Enrichment Fund.
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News
Scholarship recipient shares importance of paying it forward
A native of Sharon, Tennessee, Noah Melton knew that given his multiple siblings, he would be responsible for financing his way through college. Early on, their parents instilled in them the importance of starting early and studying hard to earn good grades and in turn scholarships that would help ease the financial burden. Witnessing his two older siblings receive full rides through scholarships, Noah set his heart on following in their footsteps at UT Martin.
News
Letter from the Vice Chancellor
As students return to campus to begin a new school year, our University Advancement team is reminded of the why behind what we do as fundraisers. Whether in the form of endowments, major gifts, or annual giving, every dollar makes a difference in the lives of our students, faculty and staff, and the region. We are thankful for our generous alumni and friends and the role they played in what has been a monumental year for our team.
News
Smartt and Patterson Receive UTAA Outstanding Teacher Award
The University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA) announced its 2025 faculty award winners. UT Martin’s Dr. Philip Smartt, professor of natural resources management in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources, and Dr. Tammie Patterson, associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies, received the Outstanding Teacher Award.
Alumni Spotlights
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Graves (’95)
For nearly 30 years, Michael Graves (’95) has built a successful career in the banking industry, currently serving as Chief Fiduciary and Operating Officer of the Trust Division at First Horizon Bank. But long before he reached the executive level, he was a student on the UT Martin campus learning lessons that would shape both his career and his life.
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Reeves (’08)
For Melissa Reeves, a passion for helping others has always been at the heart of her career. Today, that passion is evident in her work as a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Renew Medical Spa in downtown Union City, Tennessee, where she combines her healthcare expertise with a commitment to helping patients feel confident and healthy.
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight: April Armstrong (’04)
“My education at the University of Tennessee at Martin provided a strong foundation in business and analytical thinking that prepared me for my professional career,” says ’04 alumna April Armstrong, who earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing.
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