Harrison Van Eaton by Torchbearer statue at UT
photo by John Shearer
Boyd-Buchanan School graduate Harrison Van Eaton has always tried to put his best foot forward in all his academic and volunteer work as a University of Tennessee student.
But as he jokingly added, when the time came to be recognized for all that recently, he was not dressed for the part. In fact, as he recalled of being surprised during a meeting and told that he had been selected as a prestigious Torchbearer in this year’s graduating class, “I was the worst dressed one in the room.”
He admitted that the water pressure at his residence was out that day and it was a cool morning, so he had hurriedly put on some sweatpants to attend a seemingly unspectacular Greek Life-related meeting regarding new member education.
“Lo and behold, in comes the Office of the Dean of Students,” he recalled with a laugh over finding out from Student Life Vice Chancellor Frank Cuevas that he had been named a Torchbearer.
But he certainly had an eye-catching and presentable resume and list of accomplishments that caught UT officials’ eyes after he had been nominated and had completed the appropriate paperwork.
The award, which recognizes leadership and service among students who are also in excellent standing academically, follows the historic UT Creed, “One that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others.”
Mr. Van Eaton is actually one of only seven students in this year’s graduating class to be named a Torchbearer. He is also the only one from Chattanooga, although Jack Duncan from Cleveland was also selected.
As the son of David and Rebekah Van Eaton from the Hixson area sat down recently on the UT campus as his final semester was winding down, he admitted that he was flattered to receive the award. That is, even though he has been a little uncomfortable with all the attention since he has tried to follow the Torchbearer’s true creed by serving others and showing them the way and diverting attention from himself.
Such an honor was not even on his radar when he was finishing up at Boyd-Buchanan in 2020 as a skilled soccer player who was also part of the Red Wolves youth program. Actually, neither was the University of Tennessee.
He had enrolled at UT-Chattanooga his freshman year while the COVID-19 pandemic was still gripping the country. As a result, having a lot of online classes and mainly just maintaining friendships with former Boyd-Buchanan friends off campus left him feeling a little stymied and wanting for more. Or maybe he was just ready for a new environment.
“I was too comfortable and not getting out there and doing what I like to do – serving others,” he said.
As a result, he began looking at possible other college options. He had some friends at UT and decided to visit. “When I came up here and did an actual tour, I fell in love with the place,” he said. “It’s one of the best decisions I could have made.”
While he admitted he did not even have a sports allegiance to UT – his mother’s side of the family are big Oklahoma Sooner fans – he quickly began to embrace all about Big Orange Country. He joined the Christian-based fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi, and became involved in the larger Greek Life umbrella at the school, including serving as vice president for health and safety for the Interfraternity Council.
He had grown up in Chattanooga being involved in Clear Creek Church of Christ off Hixson Pike near Hixson High School.
Joining a fraternity was important to him, he added, especially one that believes as he does, is supportive of him, and does not have hazing. “Allowing yourself to join an organization that has the same basis of values has been great. It has catapulted me into a lot of other opportunities and connections. You also understand they have your back.”
He has also done plenty of volunteer work in the Knoxville area, including working with the Emerald Youth Foundation for underprivileged youngsters. He has also volunteered with Camp Koinonia for those with disabilities, and at UT he has additionally served in such areas as helping freshmen move into the dorms at the start of school.
Amid all that, he has also found time to study neuroscience in the UT College of Arts and Sciences. He plans to attend physician assistant’s school – a two-year program – down the road but will initially be going back to Chattanooga and hopefully working in a cardiac or orthopedic clinic.
He had initially been pre-med, he said, but he decided to switch in part because he would like to start a family earlier instead of having to wait until he finishes regular medical school. He has already done some certified nursing assistant work for pay in a progressive care unit at UT Medical Center.
“It has given me so much experience and confirmed what I want to do the rest of my life,” he said of the work that admittedly can be challenging and stressful.
He has also worked in a physical therapy office, but perhaps his biggest area of service in the work sector so far might have come when he worked for a few months in the sometimes-thankless job of being a grill operator at a Hixson Waffle House about the time he was finishing high school.
Amid all his regular work and service work, he admittedly does enjoy a little down time hiking and rock climbing. He also loves to continue his cooking skills honed at Waffle House and a church camp and likes cooking a variety of foods, However, he admits that while at college he has mainly used the dining halls to allow for more focus on his studies and volunteer service and other extracurricular activities.
In summing up the last few years, he said he has had a great time. And just as he has tried to help people, he feels that UT in turn has helped him with personal growth and developing leadership. He admitted he has been amazed at his personal development and finding himself being more of a leader than he had been in high school.
“My landscape and perspective at UT have changed so much,” he said.
And for all those opportunities, some of which have created more self-sacrifice than a typical college student might have to endure, he is thankful in part for all the service he has been able to give, he added.
“It’s been busy, but it’s been productive,” he said. “I’m eternally changed by this place.”
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Harrison Van Eaton
photo by