The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Communication and Information announces the establishment of the Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment and the John Haas Director’s Chair Endowment, supported by a transformative gift of over $4 million from 1997 alumnus Peyton Manning. The new endowments will open doors to bold ideas, innovation and a best-in-class experience for the college’s students.
The endowments are named in honor of Manning’s academic mentors, Faye Julian and John Haas, who were also long-time academic leaders at the university. The endowments enable the dean of the college and director of the School of Communication Studies, one of the college’s four academic units, to support emergent needs and strategic opportunities that are common in the ever-evolving communication and media industries. Funds will support student success initiatives, faculty research and other activities that drive the operation and forward progress of both the college and the school.
“As a university, we have been vocal about our desire to be known for our unparalleled student experience — both in and out of the classroom,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “This gift will help ensure that generations of future Volunteers in the College of Communication and Information will have access to resources and programs that help them thrive. We are so grateful to Peyton, who has always been an incredible ambassador for UT and who has generously given back with his time, his gifts and his advocacy for decades.”