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2014 Charles R. Burchett Extraordinary Contributions to Campus Life

The Charles R. Burchett Extraordinary Contributions to Campus Life award is named for the World War II veteran, former Knox County Schools administrator, and UT dean of students to honor students and student organizations for extraordinary contributions to campus life.

IMPACT

IMPACT is a new student organization that aims to promote campus traditions and school spirit and to encourage a culture of student philanthropy. The group is a new division of the Student Alumni Associates. Impact played an important role in this year’s new Big Orange Give campaign, which raised more than $250,000 in 125 hours. Students spent hours calling and writing letters to thank donors for their support. They also host donor calling parties where students contact first-time and returning UT donors to personally thank them. Members encouraged the 2013 graduating class to make a $20 gift to the university. Their work resulted in 350 first-time donors and $31,000. The group’s largest effort has been “I Heart UT Week,” held for the first time last year. The week engaged students in a campus cleanup and raised donations to start a food pantry for students, faculty, and staff in need. This successful undertaking is now an annual event.

ME4UT

To get the best idea of life as a UT student, ask a current student. Since 2000, ME4UT—Minority Enhancement for the University of Tennessee—has worked with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to recruit and build relationships with multicultural students who are thinking about attending UT. Committed to enhancing campus life through a diverse student population, Me4UT works with admissions to recruit and build relationships with multicultural students. The forty-three students who make up the diverse team come from across Tennessee and other states. Each member works nearly 100 hours a year to host multicultural students on campus. This year, the group planned, organized, and hosted four overnight recruitment events in addition to participating in campus visit programs and high school visits, reaching more than 1,500 prospective students and their families. The results are impressive. One overnight program last year invited multicultural students who had been admitted to UT but had not yet confirmed. After completing the program, 79 percent of the students confirmed their enrollment.