The University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Arts & Sciences

Faculty Honored at Annual Awards Banquet

Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences were honored for their research, teaching, creative activities, outreach, and leadership in diversity at the college awards banquet February 28. Learn more about the awardees.

Divisional Structure Pilot Update

RJ Hinde provides an update on how the divisional structure pilot is taking shape, divisional dean searches, and news on the role and portfolio of our associate dean for research and facilities. Read his update.

World Languages and Cultures at UT

The Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures has changed its name to reflect not only the variety of interests in the department, but the communities they serve, support, and represent. Read more about their decision.

Resources for the Humanities Center

UT made a significant new investment into the Humanities Center, signaling a strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the arts and humanities across campus. Learn more about the support.

SPOTLIGHTS

Studying Mysteries of the Microbiome

Stephanie Kivlin, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, studies very small organisms to learn about very big issues. Learn more about her work on climate change.

MacGyver with Sense of Adventure

Brad Gardner, senior IT technologist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, received the 2022 College of Arts and Sciences technical support award. Read more about his 33 years of service to UT.

A Common Compassion

Sarah Buzalewski, a second-year master’s student in violin performance, has much to be proud about – both on and off-campus. Read about her passion and pursuit of music.

Sall Honored by MLK Commission

Amadou Sall, lecturer and vice chair of the Department of Africana Studies, received the 2023 MLK Education Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission. Learn more about this honor.

Men on Boats to Play in the Lab Theatre

This is the tale of ten men, four boats, and two great rivers, told on stage entirely without boats, rivers…or men! Show runs March 16 through April 2. Tickets and more information available online.

Plant Evolution and Sea Rise

Michael Blum, professor of ecology, is part of team studying plant evolution to inform climate change impacts on wetland ecosystems. Read more about their research.

NEWS & NOTEWORTHY

Stephanie Wall was named Director of Finance and Human Resources for the College of Arts and Sciences in Feburary 2023. She will lead budgetary and other staff services for the college. Congratulations Stephanie!

Kelly Sauskojus, a graduate student in English and incoming UT Humanities Center graduate fellow for next year, has been named a Career Diversity Workshop Fellow for Humanities Without Walls. Read more about this opportunity.

Chris Magra, professor of history, presents Unhealthy Food: Chocolate Production, Slavery, and Unfree Food Systems at noon Thursday, March 30 for the UT One Health Initiative.

UT Knoxville has joined The Conversation—an independent source for news articles and informed analysis written by the academic community and edited by journalists for the general public. Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences are some of the most active participants of this partnership.

Christine Shepardson, professor and head of religious studies, writes about Antakya, its history, and the courage of its people who have rebuilt the city before. Susan Lawrence, professor and head of history, writes on the history of body donation for science.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you add a social media account for your department this year? If so, please share the handle with the college communications team so we can tag you in our social media posts. Please email artscicomm@utk.edu with the platform and handle. Thank you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Circus Orbis – See to Believe, Work by Beauvais Lyons Open at Emporium Center

Join the Office of the Provost for the next UT Mic/Nite March 22

Save the Date: Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week, March 27-31

Teaching and Learning Innovation: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Application Deadline March 27

Big Orange Family Campaign Wraps for 2023 – Thank you!

Diversity and Engagement Call for Faculty and Staff Spotlights

Open Office Hours for Website Support

Kayla Lang, the digital communications manager for the college, offers open office hours for website support Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Link available on our website request form page.

MEDIA MENTIONS

Knoxville News-Sentinel: Is ChatGPT a writing aid or a cheating tool? UT professors grapple with a plagiarism case
The English Department at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is grappling with its first identified case of AI plagiarism while department and university leaders are working to figure out ground rules covering how students can use ChatGPT.

WATE: A taste of history: Looking at the rise of soul food
Robert David Bland, an assistant professor of history and Africana studies, defines soul food as, “African American food routed in the Black southern diet and has roots in slavery.”

WATE: UT graduate creates portraits of famous Black figures
Portrait artist Carl Hess II stood out amongst his peers at a young age and says UT is where he learned to network, charting a path to becoming a professional artist.

WVLT: University of Tennessee shines light on Ukrainian culture
The University of Tennessee School of Music shined a light on Ukrainian culture Sunday a year after the start of the Russia-Ukrainian War.

DNYUZ: Tennessee and the Anti-Drag Race
“The point of the law is to terrorize people.” That’s how Patrick Grzanka, a professor of psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the chair of the university’s interdisciplinary program in women, gender and sexuality, describes Tennessee’s new, extreme anti-drag law — among the first of its kind in the country.

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