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The Power of Sports for Positive Change

The Power of Sports for Positive Change

The Power of Sports for Positive Change

March 19, 2025 by Douglas Edlund

The Power of Sports for Positive Change

By Jett Hatfield, Senior in Sport Management, Class of 2025

“It’s more than just a game.” “There is more to sports than just what you see on tv.” These are phrases I am sure all of us have heard. When I was younger, I heard these sayings, but I didn’t know entirely what they meant. I had athletes I looked up to and knew sports taught things like teamwork and instilled some good values into people, but I didn’t think too much about the bigger aspect of sports. I didn’t know how much it could affect people, especially people who grew up in different places and didn’t have the resources to watch and play sports as I did.  However, as I grew older and started working in sports, my eyes were opened to how much sports really means to people. It wasn’t until I participated in ‘Football for Change’ in Los Cabos, Mexico, with my internship, A.B.C. Sports Foundation, and the San Francisco 49ers that I realized the full extent of the power of sports.

The purpose of this trip was to work with the San Francisco 49ers and their players to create a positive impact in the local community. The day after everyone arrived, we began to implement this purpose. We started with a school visit at José Lucas Manríquez Arípez Elementary School and Los Niños del Capitán (community center) where the impact could be seen immediately. As soon as the kids saw the likes of George Kittle, Ricky Persall, and other 49ers Players, the kids’ faces lit up like it was Christmas morning. They were jumping into their arms, and there is simply no other way to describe it other than they were filled with immense joy. The kids got to talk and interact with the players, and then we got to reveal to them and the rest of the school exactly how we were helping. Thanks to all our partners and sponsors, we were able to donate over $15,000 to help repair the school’s fencing, add on to playground structures, as well as donate footballs and flags for the school to use. Overall, the day was filled with tons of smiles, and it felt amazing to be a part of something so great.

San Francisco 49ers Tight End, George Kittle, Greets Students

The following day was filled with another school visit and a football camp. There were once again screams of happiness and cheer as they saw some of their favorite players from their favorite team walk into where they go to school every day. This time, however, we were the ones that were in store for a surprise. The school’s football team, band, and cheer team put on a pep rally-type performance where they celebrated the 49ers coming to their school. They had choreographed dances and chants, and it was obvious that so much time and effort went into the school’s performance. It showed just how special and meaningful it was for the 49ers players to spend their time there. We were able to continue making a difference by donating a check and football equipment to this school as well. Later in the day, I got to finally meet someone from the tourism board who we had been working with for months to plan these school visits. She told our team and me that no one ever thinks about the schools when they come to Los Cabos. Los Cabos is a top vacation destination, but even when people come there for a cause, the schools are normally left out. This made everything we were doing feel even more special because we were planting a seed in a place that needed it!

Right after this school visit, we hosted our first football camp of the trip which hosted high school-aged boys and girls that play tackle football. When the players got out of the vans to walk onto the field, it was once again like The Beatles had pulled up to one of their shows. The kids were immediately going up to the players to meet them, but the local coaches were running up even faster! This just goes to show that sports impact all ages. From high school-aged kids to grown adults, the fact that they got to play or coach the sport they love with an NFL team and its stars was like a dream come true to both the kids and coaches. Kids were catching passes from star QB Brock Purdy, linemen were learning how to block from all-pro Trent Williams, and everyone was getting to learn from the best of the best. The 49ers couldn’t have been better this day. They were engaged the whole day, hyping the kids up, celebrating with them after they caught a pass, and they made the kids feel like the stars. It made the kids feel equal. It gave them hope that they could be in the same spot as a Brock Purdy or George Kittle someday. The impact was real, and it was probably a reality that most of those kids never thought they would have the opportunity to be a part of.

On the last day of the trip, we had our last big football camp. This was our biggest event out of them all. It was open for the public to watch, and there were hundreds of people there decked out in 49ers gear to see and check out the 49ers at work. At this camp, we had a tackle football group as well as a flag football group, with half of the campers being girls. Growing the game of football to flag and making it available to not just boys but also girls was a big point of emphasis for this trip. We wanted to show that football is for everyone, and that was done at this camp. Over the course of 4 hours, the campers got t-shirts, autographs and pictures with the 49ers players, and of course, got to learn more about the game they love from 49ers players. To try to put into perspective how excited people were about this camp, I had dozens of people, whether it be people working security, to parents in the stands, etc. come up to me and try to get the campers’ shirts. The shirts had ‘Football for Change’ written and all of the 49er’s attendees’ names on them. People just wanted to say they got to witness this event and show that they were there. It was a big deal to everyone; they knew it was something special, and they wanted to brag to their friends and families that they got to be there. The 49ers were once again so intentional and knew their significance at this camp. They didn’t hesitate to take pictures with the campers and fans and were engaged the whole way through to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Overall, the first ‘Football for Change’ in Los Cabos, Mexico, was exactly what the name was. We used football to create positive change. I probably saw more smiles that one week than I had the whole rest of the year so far. Sports really do create change. They create happiness. They create hope. They create a sense of community. They create a sense of togetherness. They create a positive outlet for kids to relieve stress, learn about life values, and, most importantly, have fun. I might have heard these impacts of sports and even experienced some of these things. However, I didn’t know these things as I know them now until I saw them from a new perspective on this trip. It just goes to show how special sports can be when people come together to initiate change. It is up to not only the athletes, but workers of the sports industry, and even fans of sports to come together to create change and show the true power of sports.

Jett Hatfield is a senior majoring Sport Management in Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies with a minor in Business Administration. This trip was through his internship with the A.B.C. Sports Foundation. Jett is slated to graduate in May.

Pep Rally and High School Visit in Los Cabos, Mexico
Visiting Recreation Center in Los Cabos, Mexico
School Visit with Members of A.B.C. Sports Foundation and San Francisco 49ers
Second Football Camp
San Francisco 49ers Staff and Players

Filed Under: CEHHS, Departments, Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sports Studies, Uncategorized

UT Receives Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Grant

UT Receives Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Grant

February 28, 2025 by Douglas Edlund

UT Receives Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Grant

By, Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Joshua Kenna

Films and media are tools educators use to easily enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. The potential of using a film or media to dive into the deeper message and break down different themes is something important to Joshua Kenna, associate professor of Social Science Education and director of Graduate Studies in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences’ (CEHHS) Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
 
Kenna, along with professor of Social Science Education, Stewart Waters, doctoral student, Matthew Stevenson, and assistant professor at East Tennessee State University, Matthew Hensley—comprise the project team managing a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) grant awarded to the University of Tennessee   on Oct. 1. Totaling $99,554, the grant provides one year of funding, with the possibility of two additional one-year grants, contingent upon successful delivery of TPS educational projects based on Library of Congress digitized materials.
 
UT’s TPS grant project, “Teaching with Film and Media as Primary Sources” intends to train pre-service and in-service teachers to develop lesson plans that capture the rising popularity of film and media consumption among 21st-century students to improve their critical thinking and media literacy skills.
 
The project idea originated in a doctoral course with Kenna and Stevenson. Later it was refined to develop a website for teachers to access ready-made lesson plans for different films featured on the Library’s National Film Registry, collections found on the Library’s Motion Image Research Center, and other Library of Congress digitized primary sources. These lesson plans will be incorporated into current Social Science Education courses, taught by Waters, and made by CEHHS students. The lesson plans each focus on a specific film, how to utilize it as a primary source, and encourage critical thinking skills.
 
“The lesson plans that we’re designing are not necessarily about teaching the whole movie, but instead focuses on specific clips,” said Stevenson. “For example, using a one-minute clip and then talking about different themes and elements within that one clip.”
 
The National Film Registry contains 875 diverse, American-made films dating from 1891-2013. These films are unique because the Library of Congress keeps the original film.
 
“The focus of the film registry is not just about great films; it’s about great American films that have a cultural component to America,” said Kenna. “The Library then keeps the actual film safe, and archives it.”
           

By utilizing films from the National Film Registry, the lesson plans allow students to use their critical thinking skills to not only ask questions about the film itself, but also about the time period from which it came.
 
“Discussing the films and investigating the things that helped lead up to the creation of the film is what helps the critical aspect of thinking,” said Kenna. “We’re teaching students to always ask questions, and then where to go to find answers to the questions.”
 
Creating lesson plans from the National Film Registry will be implemented in Waters’ Social Science Education 485 and 585 courses starting in spring 2025.
 
Since 2006, Congress has appropriated funds to the Teaching with Primary Sources program to establish and fund a consortium of organizations working to incorporate “the digital collections of the Library of Congress into educational curricula.” Each year, members of the TPS Consortium support tens of thousands of learners to build knowledge, engagement and critical thinking skills with items from the Library’s collections.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.[SM1] 

Through its seven departments and 13 centers, the UT Knoxville College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences enhances the quality of life for all through research, outreach, and practice. Find out more at cehhs.utk.edu
 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Ellen McIntyre Reappointed as Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Ellen McIntyre Reappointed as Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

February 10, 2025 by Douglas Edlund

Ellen McIntyre Reappointed as Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Ellen McIntyre, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been reappointed for a second five-year term. Provost John Zomchick announced the reappointment to faculty and staff, highlighting McIntyre’s impactful leadership since joining CEHHS in 2020.

headshot
Ellen McIntyre

McIntyre’s tenure began at a challenging time, as the university transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after her arrival. Despite these uncertainties, her leadership ensured that CEHHS upheld its high standards in research, scholarship, and student engagement.

Under McIntyre’s guidance, CEHHS achieved remarkable growth. Over the past five years, enrollment has steadily increased, with nearly 1,000 first-year students joining the college in multiple years. Significantly, CEHHS has defied national trends of declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the field.

A champion of collaboration and innovation, McIntyre spearheaded efforts to “reimagine” CEHHS departments, fostering interdisciplinary opportunities and optimizing departmental structures. Her leadership resulted in the merger of some program areas from the Department of Child and Family Studies and some program areas from the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling into the new Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS) department. She also worked closely with faculty and staff in the Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) department to create three specialized units: Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching, Language, Culture, and Teacher Education, and Special Education and Applied Learning Sciences.

During her tenure, McIntyre led the College in developing the infrastructure in the Office of Research and External Funding to support more high-impact research.  She also led departments in writing new bylaws, which included higher expectations in teaching and research, which will take effect fall 2027. 

 “I am so encouraged by members of this college who understand deeply where we need to go; the new bylaws have faculty holding themselves accountable for quality, high-impact work,” said McIntyre.

McIntyre’s journey in education began in Newport, Kentucky, where she taught in the Newport Independent Schools. Her passion for literacy and teacher preparation fueled a transition to higher education, where she has held numerous leadership roles. Before joining UT, she served as dean of the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina Charlotte for seven years. She has also served as department head and interim associate dean  at North Carolina State University and as professor at the University of Louisville.

Her extensive experience, commitment to student success, and ability to drive institutional progress make her a vital asset to CEHHS and the broader university community.

As she begins her next term, McIntyre remains focused on fostering academic excellence, supporting students and faculty, and building on the strong foundation of CEHHS.  She is excited about what the future of CEHHS can be. 

“I believe we can work to develop world-class programs that attract students from all over the world.  Already I see we have faculty who attract our students to study with them, and I would like to see us ensure our programs are those others seek out as the place to study,” said McIntyre.

Through its seven departments and 13 centers, the UT Knoxville College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences enhances the quality of life for all through research, outreach, and practice. Find out more at cehhs.utk.edu

Filed Under: CEHHS, Uncategorized

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Hosts Hospitality Roadshow to Address Workforce Challenges in Tourism Industry

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Hosts Hospitality Roadshow to Address Workforce Challenges in Tourism Industry

January 29, 2025 by Douglas Edlund

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Hosts Hospitality Roadshow to Address Workforce Challenges in Tourism Industry

KNOXVILLE, TN – This January, the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hosted a Hospitality Roadshow in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. The event gathered industry leaders, UT faculty, administrators, and key stakeholders to discuss workforce development and explore solutions to meet the growing demands of Tennessee’s hospitality and tourism sector.

Commissioner Mark Ezell

Commissioner Mark Ezell of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development opened the event with a powerful address, underscoring the importance of the hospitality and tourism industry, which generated a substantial $30.6 billion for the state last year. “The hospitality and tourism industry is critical to Tennessee’s economy, not only through its contribution to our state’s budget but also in terms of job creation and tax relief for Tennesseans,” stated Commissioner Ezell.

Following the Commissioner’s remarks, RHTM department head,  Junehee Kwon, presented on “Sustaining Tennessee’s Tourism: Workforce Challenges and University Partnerships.” Kwon shared exciting developments within the hospitality and tourism management program, including new curriculum initiatives, experiential learning opportunities, and efforts toward program accreditation. She also discussed the nearly completed online program designed to address industry needs. Kwon stressed the urgent need for more graduates in Tennessee’s hospitality and tourism management programs, noting that the number of students graduating from four-year institutions in the state is not keeping pace with the growth of the industry, especially when compared to competing states.

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Junehee Kwon

“The hospitality and tourism sector is thriving, but we need to expand the pool of talent to meet its demands,” said Kwon. “We’re proud of the strides we’re making at UT to better prepare students for careers in this dynamic field, and today’s event reinforced the importance of collaboration between industry and academia to address workforce challenges.”

The event included an engaging discussion among attendees, who focused on strategies to increase enrollment in hospitality and tourism management programs, develop a skilled workforce, and better equip students with the competencies needed to succeed in the field.

“This was an exciting opportunity to bring together all the key players in the hospitality and tourism sector,” Kwon continued. “I truly appreciate Commissioner Ezell’s leadership in initiating this event, and I’m grateful for the collaborative spirit shown by everyone involved. Our faculty and staff are fully committed to overcoming workforce challenges and ensuring the continued success of our program. We look forward to developing actionable strategies to support the growth of this vital industry.”

The hospitality and tourism management program at UTK remains dedicated to preparing students for rewarding careers in the rapidly growing hospitality and tourism sector.

For more information about RHTM at UT and upcoming initiatives, please visit https://cehhs.utk.edu/rhtm/.

To see a photo gallery from the Hospitality Roadshow, please visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBZG9Q

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Kelchen Recognized by Education Week as Top Scholar Influencer

Kelchen Recognized by Education Week as Top Scholar Influencer

January 8, 2025 by Douglas Edlund

Kelchen Recognized by Education Week as Top Scholar Influencer

When a reporter seeks expert insight into higher education issues, it’s very likely that Robert Kelchen is at the top of their call list. Over the years, Kelchen continues to receive accolades from Education Week as a top influencer who shape educational practice and policy. This year is no different as Kelchen is once again recognized as a Top 200 education scholar at a United States university.

headshot
Robert Kelchen

Kelchen, who serves as department head in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ranked 31 out of 200 scholars nationwide in Education Week’s Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for 2025. In fact, Kelchen is the only scholar from the University of Tennessee to make this year’s list.

 “In a time of declining trust in higher education, I feel that it is crucial for faculty to demonstrate how our work benefits the public good,” said Kelchen.

Each year, Education Week selects the top 200 scholars from across the U.S. (from an eligible pool of 20,000)  as having the most influence on issues and policy in education. The list is compiled by opinion columnist Rick Hess, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and director of Education Policy Studies.

The selection process  involves a rigorous evaluation by a 24-member committee of university scholars representing institutions nationwide. Criteria include Google Scholar scores, book publications, Amazon rankings, mentions in the Congressional Record, and appearances in media and web platforms.

Kelchen’s reputation as a reliable and insightful source for higher education stories is well-earned. He has participated in more than 200 media interviews annually, with his expertise regularly featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Education Week, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“It is a pleasure to use my scholarly expertise to help inform policy conversations and the general public on pressing issues such as college affordability, financial aid, and college closures,” said Kelchen.

Through its seven departments and 13 centers, the UT Knoxville College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences enhances the quality of life for all through research, outreach, and practice. Find out more at cehhs.utk.edu

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Vols Online Degree is Part of a 30-Year Journey to Create Lasting Change

Vols Online Degree is Part of a 30-Year Journey to Create Lasting Change

January 6, 2025 by Douglas Edlund

Vols Online Degree is Part of a 30-Year Journey to Create Lasting Change

Gladys Hunt vividly remembers the moment her life shifted course forever. Escaping civil unrest in her Central American homeland, her family left behind the comfort of the familiar for an uncertain future in the United States. What initially felt like an ending became a remarkable new beginning that helped shape her life’s path. Part of this incredible journey gave her the courage to reinvent herself and change careers, including enrolling in a Master of Public Health degree through the University of Tennessee’s Vols Online program.

Photo of Gladys and Robert Hunt in Uganda.
Robert and Gladys Hunt at the Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp in northern Uganda

When Hunt immigrated to Missouri as a child, she entered a foreign world. A week after her arrival, she sat in a classroom surrounded by unfamiliar faces, customs, and a language she couldn’t understand. Driven by resilience and determination, she worked to overcome the language barrier. This early perseverance laid the foundation for her future success, culminating in her graduation from college and a career in the international transportation industry.

For nearly 15 years, Hunt thrived in her role, managing staff, leading technology projects, and implementing software systems. But at the peak of her career, she felt a desire for something more profound. It was a sense that her skills and experiences could be used to create a more meaningful impact. This ambition sparked a significant pivot in her professional life.

In the early 2000s, Hunt transitioned to the healthcare sector, where she found her true calling. She took on roles that allowed her to serve her community more directly, from leading lifestyle management courses to developing cutting-edge healthcare solutions. Her work became a blend of innovation and compassion, focusing on patients, stakeholders, and entire communities. She also began volunteering and working with refugees and immigrants, connecting deeply with their struggles, having lived through similar circumstances.

Though she had started her work towards an advanced degree nearly 30 years earlier, she was forced to pause for personal reasons. Driven by her growing desire to create lasting change, Hunt recognized that a graduate degree could amplify her ability to make a positive impact. An online program would be the best fit due to her schedule. She chose the Vols Online program for its reputation, flexibility, and the practical focus of the Community Health Education concentration in the Master of Public Health program. The decision marked the next chapter in her remarkable story.

Balancing her renewed education with her ongoing healthcare work, Hunt continues to thrive. She has gained invaluable skills, such as conducting data analysis, performing literature reviews, collaborating in online environments, and leading program evaluations. She uses these skills in her schoolwork, in her work with refugee organizations, and as the Community and Patient engagement lead with the Tennessee Heart Health Network.

“The professors have been amazing and are experts in their field, bringing real-world experience. They are incredibly responsive, always willing to help, answer questions, and offer support. In my opinion, their dedication makes the professors the biggest asset to the program,” said Hunt.

Hunt’s return to school is not just a tale of reinvention—it’s a story of resilience. She embodies the strength that can emerge despite adversity and has inspired those around her to believe in the same possibilities. Her life is a testament to what is achievable for adult learners and online students and a reminder that education and the courage to take risks open doors to incredible opportunities. With every step of her evolving career, she proves there is always time to rewrite your story and create an impact that resonates far beyond yourself.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Campus Food Recovery Program Gets a Boost

Campus Food Recovery Program Gets a Boost

November 11, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

Campus Food Recovery Program Gets a Boost

This article is republished from Foodservice Equipment and Supplies magazine

Story by Renee Pas / Photos by Grant Kessler

The nonprofit Food4VOLS at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, benefits from a refresh of its main prep room, truck and more as the winner of the FE&S Kitchen Storage Makeover contest. 

One relatable college experience that seems to carry on through generations is survival by way of instant noodles. A not-to-be-missed life experience? Perhaps, but Tyler White, director of the University of Tennessee’s Culinary Institute and assistant professor in UT’s Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management program, contends that does not have to be the norm. “Often our alumni groups make light of the fact that they survived on ramen in college and deem it a rite of passage,” he says. “Yes, that is one way to think of it, but also, you were food insecure: You didn’t have money or access to food. Sometimes it’s about not knowing what food insecurity is. Students don’t have to struggle on campus. Food insecurity on our campus is a solvable problem with resources that already exist here. We have everything here for students to thrive.”

Tyler White knows full well the amount of overproduction of food that occurs on the UT campus, which he points out is a natural part of operations in the collegiate dining segment. He started providing the UT community with prepackaged, ready-to-heat-and-eat meals during COVID-19 and realized he could continue to create those meals from the overproduction that results from prepping for high-volume service each day.

University of Tennessee student volunteers handle all meal assembly.

The Food4VOLS program evolved from that experience. A conversation between Tyler White and Jay Price, who serves as the sustainability manager for the University of Tennessee, moved the idea from conception to reality. The food recovery program now addresses food insecurity issues on both the UT campus and in the surrounding community. Operating as a nonprofit outside of the university’s oversight, the program intertwines with campus dining. Donors and ongoing fundraising efforts support the bulk of its operating budget. The university donates the space to run the program and funds one full-time employee, Andrew White (Tyler’s father), who serves as the coordinator of Food4VOLS.

While Tyler White had the necessary physical space inside the UT Culinary Institute building on the outskirts of campus, he did not have the exact setup he wanted. “I did not need a brand-new kitchen, but I did need a new arrangement that would maximize efficiency and accommodate the many volunteers that make the program viable,” he says. “The overall lack of storage and shelving made execution challenging.”

These problems were solved when Food4VOLS won the FE&S Kitchen Storage Makeover. The makeover team swooped in to assess the space, determine the best solutions to improve organization of the space, and handle all install needs for the shelving and storage solutions provided. Ultimately, Food4VOLS received a transformation of its primary production area, truck used for food collection, walk-in cooler and freezer, and dish wash area storage.

Pain Points

First, the team needed to identify what areas needed improvement. “The first phase of the makeover started with a discussion about our pain points,” says Tyler White. “It was less about specific pieces we wanted and more about our problems.”

The main problem was not having the right quantity and type of prep tables in the main production room. Another fundamental problem was not having adequate shelving in the primary truck used to pick up donations across campus to deliver packaged meals. The truck setup was cobbled together with odds and ends Tyler and Andrew White had accumulated. For example, the extremely practical duo initially purchased racks to hold the food from a chain retailer going out of business. “The items we had were never meant for what we were doing: transporting food,” says Tyler White.

Fast-forward to the transformation: The install team reconfigured the truck and built it out with food-grade materials designed for transporting food. “What we have now is easy to clean, doesn’t tip over in the truck, and makes every part of the collection and distribution of food much easier,” says Andrew White, who starts every day in that truck collecting food from various locations on campus.

The collection process involves recovering food from five primary facilities daily (some twice a day): Rocky Top Dining Hall (the largest student dining hall), Stokely Dining Hall (another student dining hall), Anderson Training Center (caters to student-athletes), plus a catering kitchen and bakery facility on campus. “In a perfect world, there would be no extra food,” says Andrew White, “but you always have to ensure there is something for the students. There will always be some overproduction; it’s built into operations.” Aramark handles foodservices for Vol Dining, and the food management company in turn supports the partnership between Vol Dining and Food4VOLS.

Time management is Andrew White’s biggest issue. His daily work routine starts at 7:30 a.m.; his first stop is often the student-athlete dining hall, Anderson Training Center, or ATC, to pick up donations from dinner the night before. He returns there later in the afternoon to pick up more food after lunch. ATC, along with Rocky Top, are large contributors to the food recovery program and require two daily pickups as a result. Rocky Top alone feeds 8,000 students daily, he says. ATC functions separately in terms of per-person plating guidelines for students, which lends to overproduction at times.

Many factors contribute to the overproduction of food, Andrew White explains: “There are very specific rules on reusing foods, and some facilities lack enough storage to keep the items. Each location must decide what they can keep. Most seek to keep proteins, such as steak that could be cut up and used in a stir-fry the next day.” He adds that dining halls also follow a set meal schedule, which can contribute to not holding ingredients for the next day, since those items may not match the need for the next day’s menu.

Andrew White continually reminds dining team members of the program as he winds his way through the different dining halls picking up food. Each location has a designated spot for Food4VOLS items, which are stored in plastic pans in walk-in coolers. Empty containers are restocked as new items are collected. One of the challenges is the continual education necessary for staff. “Some dining halls are busier than others, which means staff have other issues they are dealing with,” he says. “It takes constant communication to reinforce the importance of saving and storing overproduction of food.”

The Food4VOLS team reinforces that message every semester, says Andrew White, when there tends to be turnover in staff.

Once back at the UT Culinary Institute building, which houses the Food4VOLS program, staff weigh and categorize all food donations by protein, starch, vegetable/produce and dessert. An average day brings in roughly 650 pounds of food. The program diverted a total of 160,000 pounds of food from going into compost in 2023; those items created more than 60,000 meals for students. This year, Food4VOLS estimates the program will collect 200,000 pounds of food, which will result in 65,000 student meals.

Also, in 2023, Food4VOLS donated 100,000 pounds of food to neighboring counties. In addition to assembling meals for students, the program also donates bulk food, primarily through a partnership with with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, whose partners also collect and distribute bulk food items. “We collect so much food, and we make only the number of meals we can give away,” says Tyler White. “Branching out with larger donations works to keep the food out of the compost bin while helping the community.”

The FE&S Kitchen Storage Makeover team reconfigured the Food4VOLS truck and replaced prior components with food-grade materials designed for transporting food.

Meal Assembly and Distribution

Roughly 350 meals a day from collected and repurposed food are distributed to Food4VOLS cupboards around campus the same day. The meals are stored in refrigerators in locations easily accessible to students. Locations include a microwave and utensils.

The process of going from recovered food to prepackaged meals starts with assessing intake for the morning and creating a menu. Since the items collected change each day are not known until that morning, Andrew White creates each menu on the fly.

Student volunteers arrive midmorning for meal assembly. Because certain majors at the university require volunteer hours, Andrew White says he has never had an issue with labor. The volunteers portion the items into individual meals in plastic containers. “Compostable containers are cost-prohibitive,” he notes, “but we continue to look into that.”

The newly improved production room enables more volunteers to work at the same time, says Tyler White. “It’s spaced out now so we can make meals for campus and pack for the community all at once,” he says. “In the past, we had one production line making meals, then after that did community packing. The functionality now allows us to produce even more.”

The program continues to gain traction among students despite little marketing to build awareness. “We have been very careful about turning the faucet all the way on while we fine-tune things,” says Tyler White. “We now have the infrastructure in place and can start ramping things up.” He intends to nearly double the number of meals available daily by next fall, going from 350 per day to 600.

Additional shelving and storage solutions created a more functional dish room.

Program Expansion

From its inception, Tyler White envisioned the Food4VOLS program as a transferable model for other college campuses. That goal is about to become reality through emerging partnerships with Montana State University and South Carolina State University, both of which are currently creating programs that emulate the Food4VOLS model (an alternative name is being considered to avoid the UT nickname “the Vols” on another campus).

Further boosting the profile of the program, in August, Food4VOLS received the Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in recognition of the program’s success. Additionally, the program was awarded two grants in 2023 that totaled $790,000 for fighting food insecurity on campus.

“Every year we are evolving one step more from the previous year,” says Tyler White. The next goal is adding a summer program in 2025 at least once a week to address K-12 family needs. “It’s a building block,” he says. “The program is blossoming and we know now we can get to the next level.” 

Since the makeover of the space, the Food4VOLS leaders believe they now have the infrastructure in place to ramp up meal production.

Three Makeover Highlights

With a $75,000 budget to transform the Food4VOLS space, the makeover team was able to enhance many different areas of the space, including adding shelving to eliminate wet nesting in the dish room and doubled the amount of storage available in the dry storage room. Here are three of the areas where the makeover had the biggest impact:

Production room. Every item in this room was replaced. The makeover team removed old tables and storage bins and installed new, all stainless-steel food-grade workstations and accessories. The upgraded work area and additional workstations now enable the Food4VOLS team the space necessary to reach its goal of nearly doubling its output of meals this academic year. “We can now have four volunteers working at one station and passing items through to each other instead of two in a line,” says Andrew White.

Food pickup and distribution truck. A new, more functional cart system replaced the non-food grade carts formerly used to collect food and distribute meals around campus. 
“The racks maneuver easily in the tight corners in the truck,” Andrew White says. “And they are very light, so that makes the job much easier.” A worktable, basket storage and security cage with sliding door add to the efficiency of the truck space.

Walk-in cooler. Removed the floor track system and replaced it with a track system that holds double the number of pans in the same space. “Staff can now easily maneuver in and out,” Tyler White says.

Andrew White, Food4VOLS coordinator, says the new equipment and configuration in the truck makes transporting food much easier. An average of 650 pounds of food are collected each day from locations around campus. Roughly 350 heat-and-eat meals are distributed daily.

Quick Take: Tyler White’s Road to Food Recovery at UT

Tyler White

Tyler WhiteQ: You have been instrumental in steering the culinary ship at UT. How did your journey begin?

A: I started at the University of Tennessee in 2010. I was brought on to teach culinary arts at UT for Pellissippi State Community College, specifically the lab component for an associate degree. They outsourced the lab component to UT; the lecture portion happened at the community college. Eventually, Pellissippi State brought the lab piece in-house. The question then was what direction should UT go in? That was the genesis that created UT’s culinary arts minor.

At that point, we started to explore what else we could do with the space that was available and our time. I met with the office of sustainability and realized quickly how much food was being composted. The people collecting food often wondered why it was being composted — it was not difficult to see when you opened the bins there was nothing wrong with the food. I knew I could create something to help with that problem.

Q: How do you balance Food4VOLS with teaching?

A: My primary job continues to be teaching. I teach two classes in the fall and three in the spring; unlike other faculty at UT, I don’t do research. Instead, outside of classroom time, I support catering on campus and Food4VOLS. This spring, I will teach a zero-waste class dedicated to utilizing the food Andrew collects and teaching students how to prepare it differently. For example, if a lot of green beans are collected, we will talk about the components of a casserole, and green beans will be a mandatory ingredient. 

Q: What role did AmeriCorps play in the early stages of creating Food4VOLS?

A: AmeriCorps has a strong presence on the UT campus. Right now, they are doing a river project and many other things. I became aware that was a resource for us. We spent a year devising the plan with the help of a volunteer from AmeriCorps in the VISTA program [volunteers commit to one year of service]. The volunteer was instrumental in researching on the back end and fundraising. 

Q: Food insecurity on campuses has certainly become more front and center in recent years. How did programs at other universities influence Food4VOLS?

A: We actually could not find another program quite to the extent of what we were planning. We asked a lot of colleges what they were doing and how they handled it. There are other programs that exist, particularly with food management companies, we just never found anything that impacted students in the way we wanted, so we set out to create our own.

Q: You have a vision to share the Food4VOLS model. How is that effort moving forward?

A: We are expanding to two new schools, Montana State University and University of South Carolina. South Carolina already has the infrastructure in place because they offer a culinary program, and they will execute it with a food management and recovery course as part of their curriculum. Meals will be created in a lab piece. They are going to integrate it into an academic setting for proof of concept, then grow it from there for their campus.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

CEHHS Professor’s Experience Coaching at Paris Olympics

CEHHS Professor’s Experience Coaching at Paris Olympics

October 31, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

CEHHS Professor’s Experience Coaching at Paris Olympics

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS), James Martinez discovered his love for rowing after watching the 1988 Seoul Olympics where he watched Anne Marden compete in rowing.

“It was really an inspiring race,” said Martinez. “She was way down and came back to win a silver.”

James Martinez and Kathleen Noble at the 2024 Paris Olympics

He was so impressed, he wrote Marden a letter, and she convinced him to start rowing. Since he began rowing, he has rowed competitively for the U.S. and represented them nationally and internationally from 1993 to 1998.

With his background in rowing, Kathleen Noble, an athlete from Uganda, approached him about coaching for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Noble was looking for a level-three, international coach when she discovered Martinez. Noble impressed Martinez instantly with her determination and technique, and the two began training together in June 2023 for 15 to 20 hours a week.

“Dr. Martinez is an extremely knowledgeable and dedicated coach,” said Noble. “My speed and technique improved significantly under his instruction as well as my understanding of what it takes to be an elite athlete.” 

Noble is the first person ever to represent Uganda in rowing and qualified for the Paris Olympics in October 2023. Together, Martinez and Noble trained extensively until the games began.

Martinez and Noble Training in East Tennessee

Throughout training, UT supported Martinez and Noble extensively by supplying Noble with sports nutritionists and psychologists. Noble was also given a job by UT in the ELPS department and worked with Martinez over the summer.

“UT went all out to assist me with coaching and with her,” said Martinez.

Two weeks before leaving for Paris, while Noble was training, she broke her record by ten seconds. However, because of how hard she pushed herself, she got sick and had to take a week off.

Once she made it to Paris, Noble built her strength back and placed 26th—high enough to make the semi-finals but, unfortunately, not high enough to make the quarter-finals.

“Regardless of place, she is a two-time Olympic rower and first-time rower ever from Uganda,” said Martinez. “She’s a wonderful representative of her country.”

From sickness to uncomfortable beds and being under-sized from other athletes, Noble faced multiple difficulties during her time at the Olympics. Despite the hardships, the memories and excitement of Paris are something Martinez and Noble will never forget.

“He persistently challenged me to believe I was capable of more than I thought I was, and in the year and a half I worked with him, I did achieve results I would never have imagined possible for me,” said Noble. “Dr. Martinez has a passion for coaching combined with a wealth of experience as an elite sculling athlete that is rare.”

Noble and Martinez Prep for Competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics

In the future, Martinez’s decision to coach at the Olympics again will depend on the athlete and their skill.

“It would have to be the right person, and they would have to show me they have both the internal and external resources to be able to manage the Olympics,” said Martinez. 

Martinez’s advice to future Olympic athletes is to understand it takes a lot of practice and dedication.

“Most don’t recognize that to get to the Olympics, it takes a lifetime,” said Martinez.

Special thanks to UT’s senior associate athletics director and associate provost, Marshall Steward, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, Jim Bemiller and Martinez’s students and departmental colleagues for making his time coaching at the 2024 Paris Olympics possible.

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UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

October 10, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Three students from the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, attended the 2024 Governor’s Conference (Gov Con) in Chattanooga on Sept. 25-27.

Erin Cosentino, Paul Vaughn, and Lily Vincent were three out of 10 students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) program chosen to attend Gov Con by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TNHTA).

Group photo of GovCon attendees.
(L-R) Lilly Vincent, Erin Consentino, Paul Vaughn

The students submitted applications for the selection process, and professors in the department provided letters of recommendation.

“It was such an honor to be chosen to attend Gov Con. I appreciated the letters of support on my behalf from the RHTM department, here at UT, as well as the support from the TNHTA,” said Cosentino.

Gov Con is a three-day conference that brings together representatives of Tennessee’s travel and tourism industry. Speakers at this year’s conference included Gov. Bill Lee and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Mark Ezell.

Being chosen to attend Gov Con is a recognition of student’s hard work, talent, and potential for the hospitality and tourism industry.

“It came with a great sense of responsibility, knowing that I was representing my university, and was truly rewarding,” said Cosentino.

While attending Gov Con, all three students had opportunities to make professional connections. They split off into breakout groups, where experts in HTM gave advice on different topics, like how expansions of airports affects travel and how to use TripAdvisor to maximize all its benefits.

Speeches at the conference were also a highlight to the students because they provided first-hand examples of Tennessee’s tourism industry.

“Commissioner Ezell gave a very insightful and informative presentation about the state’s high-ranking position in various categories of tourism across the country,” said Vaughn.

All three students recommend applying and attending Gov Con for the different skills learned and networking connections made.

“I would highly recommend this conference to any student wanting to be in the hospitality industry, especially if you wish to stay in Tennessee because you learn a lot of statistics about the state, as well as meet a ton of people,” said Vincent.

Advice they gave to next year’s participants is to be engaged, be present, set a goal, and ask lots of questions.

“Put your heart and soul into your application, because it is an experience you will never forget!” said Vaughn.

Filed Under: CEHHS, Departments, Informative, Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management, Uncategorized, Undergraduate

Food4VOLS Receives Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award

Food4VOLS Receives Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award

August 16, 2024 by Alyssa Seisser

Food4VOLS Receives Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award

Reprinted from 2024 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards Announcement

The University of Tennessee’s Food4VOLS is a food recovery, transformation, and distribution program housed within the UT Culinary Institute in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS). By recovering unused and overproduced food, Food4VOLS has diverted 300,000 pounds of food and fought food insecurity in four counties in and around UT since the inception of the program. This diverted food equates to a reduction in greenhouse gases by almost 1 million pounds. The food is donated both on campus to hungry students and off campus to non-profits serving Tennesseans. This program is one of a kind in the USA, and already there are two other universities that will be implementing the program in South Carolina and Montana.

Partnering with Vol Dining, Food4VOLS recovers food from more than 12 different locations on campus ranging from catering, fast food locations, athletic dining, and large campus dining halls. To make the program successful, Food4VOLS provides each Vol Dining location with plastic food containers at the end of service. Daily recovery of food averages over 500 pounds of food that falls into four categories – protein, starch, vegetable/produce, and dessert items. Each location’s food recovery is recorded by weight and category allowing Food4VOLS to assist Vol Dining with data that can reduce overproduction and overall waste generation.

Currently Food4VOLS distributes the bulk of the prepared meals to Big Orange Pantry, located in the Student Union of the UT Knoxville campus. Smaller Food4VOLS cupboards have been installed around campus in food deserts where students have little to no other food options. Each cupboard comes equipped with a fridge filled with meals, a microwave to reheat the meals on site, cutlery to be able to eat the meals, and a dry storage area where non-perishable foods are available. In 2023, Food4VOLS provided an average of 375 meals per day to Big Orange Pantry and the cupboards combined.

Each Food4VOLS ready-to-heat meal costs 27 cents to produce. All funding needed for the meals has come from public and private donations to the program. In 2023 Food4VOLS raised over $60,000 to help create the ready-to-heat meals and provide transportation for collecting and distributing the meals. While the university assists with funding for staff and facility expenses, Food4VOLS relies on donations for supplies in producing the meals.

Food4VOLS collects more food daily than can be distributed on campus via the ready-to-heat meals. Partnering with Second Harvest of East Tennessee, Food4VOLS can donate excess food to four counties (Knox, Anderson, Blount, and Sevier) daily. Non-profit partners include Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Anderson County Council on Aging, Life Changers, True Purpose Ministries, and many others. With a staff of one full-time chef and three part time federal work study students, Food4VOLS collected over 154,000 pounds of food in 2023. That translated to over 56,000 meals for the UTK campus via the ready-to-heat meals, and over 100,000 pounds of food to non-profits in four counties in East Tennessee.

In 2023, Food4VOLS was part of two grants awarded to the University of Tennessee for fighting food insecurity on college campuses that total $790,000. While collecting food from businesses is not a new concept, doing it on a college campus and supporting the university and the surrounding communities is new. Food4VOLS is a program that is easily transferable to other colleges around the state and country. Food4VOLS strives to be an innovator in addressing food insecurity and food waste both on and off college campuses.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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