KNOXVILLE | CHATTANOOGA | MARTIN | HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE | INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE into the wild SPRING 2020 VISIT ALUMNI.TENNESSEE.EDU/CAREER • CALL 865-974-2115 Contact Andrew Hart, Director of Alumni Career Services, [email protected] UT Alumnus Spring 2020 coverB.indd 4 4/21/20 12:28 PM THE SCENE Anna Ordonio, a UT Martin freshman equestrian athlete from Frederick, Maryland, is nibbled by Luigi the horse during an equestrian competition against South Dakota State at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion. During a break in competition, Ordonio hugged Luigi’s muzzle and was surprised when he returned the affection by latching on to her shirt with his teeth. PHOTO BY STEVEN MANTILLA UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN SPRING 2020 VOLUME 100 | NUMBER 2 IN THIS ISSUE To explore the wonderful wild world is to find adventure—whether close to home or far away. It can be found in the exotics brought close and the unseen brought home. In this issue, we tell the stories of an alumnus who found himself caring for elephants in Tennessee and researchers who travel far to bring microbes back to Tennessee to Will Sutton and classmates at UT Chattanooga created this piece in a uncover their mysteries in our rapidly sculpture class. Sutton said it is supposed to convey his experience at UTC. PHOTO BY ANGELA FOSTER changing world. There is the story of an alumna hooked on the allure features of what moves in the deeps and one about an organization that has helped 6 A Matter of When animals a little less wild. 8 All Creatures Great and Small In fact, our quotidian worlds and humdrum lives intersect with the wild 16 Hooked in sometimes surprising ways. One of our researchers seeks drugs to help 20 To the Extreme when we are undone by mosquito- To Save a Life borne illnesses or by COVID-19. We 26 also take a look back at a time when 30 Escape Artist an orangutan came to college. We hope you enjoy this issue that 34 Finding Their Passion for Politics gives a quick look at when the wild moves among us. 35 AOWP Funds Grants As always, we look forward to hearing from you regarding each issue. You may send a letter to the in every issue editor at [email protected] or 3 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ON THE COVER reach out to us on social media. We Flora, an African 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR elephant, enjoys a can be found on Twitter @TNAlumnus, 5 THE GREAT PAUSE bamboo snack at The Facebook at Tennessee Alumnus and Elephant Sanctuary CAMPUS NEWS Briefs from across the UT System in Hohenwald. Instagram @tennesseealumnus. 37 PHOTO BY 44 ASSOCIATION NEWS Alumni in Photos RAFFE LAZARIAN 48 LAST WORD To Be Different University of Tennessee System Office of Communications and Marketing 817-A Andy Holt Tower | Knoxville, TN 37996-0142 | 865-974-5179 | alumnus.tennessee.edu EMAIL: [email protected] | ADVERTISING: [email protected] Twitter — @TNAlumnus | Facebook — Tennessee Alumnus | Instagram — tennesseealumnus 2 TENNESSEEALUMNUS • Spring 2020 A message from the president Magazine for the alumni, friends and supporters of the University of Tennessee System, including campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin; the Health Science Center based Someone asked, “Well, with the coronavirus in Memphis and the statewide Institute of disrupting our campuses, making this the Agriculture and Institute for Public Service. ‘greatest decade in the history of the University UT SYSTEM PRESIDENT of Tennessee’ is going to be hard, isn’t it?” Randy Boyd, Knoxville ’79 While this is definitely an epic challenge for us, it is precisely why this will be the greatest decade. We will all rise up in the face of adversity, rally together and, ultimately, UT FOUNDATION PRESIDENT AND CEO succeed. These are the times that will define our decade and define each of us forever. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ALUMNI AFFAIRS Kerry Witcher, Knoxville ’81 Greatness isn’t achieved when times are easy but when times are hard. It is always achieved by the greatness of a team, and we have a great team. VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING Our top priority is always to keep our students, faculty and staff safe and healthy, Tiffany Carpenter, Knoxville ’96, Martin ’15 and we are determined to give our students the support they need to complete their classes and their degrees. From Memphis and Martin to Chattanooga and Knoxville MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Sicking and everywhere in between, our OneUT team has rallied together. As a result of this adversity, we will be stronger and more resilient in the future, as individuals and as a ART DIRECTOR university system. Laura Barroso Also, I’d like to say how thankful I am to the UT Board of Trustees and to all those COPY EDITOR who have shared their confidence and support for me to continue as the 26th president Jan Maxwell Avent of the University of Tennessee for up to five more years. It is an honor and a privilege to WEB DESIGNER serve our great state, my alma mater and to serve with this great team. Together, we will Nick Simson make this the greatest decade in the history of the University of Tennessee. STUDENT INTERN Emmie Dickman, Knoxville ’20 ADVERTISING MANAGER Randy Boyd, Knoxville ’79 John W. Lacey, Knoxville ’03 BUSINESS MANAGER Angie Holtzclaw CONTRIBUTORS Erin Chesnut, Martin ’12; Brandon Dill; Angela Foster; Whitney Heins, Knoxville ’13; Blake Hicks; Jane Hudson, Knoxville ’19; Raffe Lazarian, Knoxville ’08; Steve Mantilla; Patricia McDaniels, Knoxville ’83; Nathan Morgan; Delaney Phillips, Knoxville ’21; Peggy Reisser Winburne; Susan Robertson; Shawn Ryan; Sam Thomas, Knoxville ’13; Melissa Tindell, Knoxville ’93; Jackie Wise, Knoxville ’09 The Tennessee Alumnus, established in 1917, is published three times a year in spring, fall and winter for the University of Tennessee Alumni Association and its sponsors and distributed to all alumni donors. E17-0405-002-003-154. Winter 2020. Volume 100, Number 2. 41,466 copies printed by Lane Press, 87 Meadowland Dr., South Burlington, VT 05403. TENNESSEEALUMNUS • Spring 2020 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, Dear Editor, endorsements in math and physical I am delighted to see the article about The new look of the magazine is very nice. science. I graduated in 1971 and have been Patten Chapel in the fall 2019 issue of The photo “The Scene” was spectacular. in the classroom ever since. Some days the Tennessee Alumnus. My grandfather, Everything in the issue was well done. were one-on-one tutoring in the hospital/ Wilson A. Gosnell, was the architect. homebound department of the local He worked for the W.T. Downing Cliff Lynch public system, and others were in lecture architectural firm. Knoxville ’58 halls with 230 at Georgia Tech. I’m currently in my fourth year at a Janet Keese Davies small private Christian school that had Chattanooga ’56 Dear Editor, trouble finding a chemistry/physics After rereading the Tennessee Alumnus teacher. It’s the kids each day who remind (The following refers to a letter in the winter winter 2020 and Alison Manning’s me why that third cup of coffee led me 2020 Tennessee Alumnus suggesting touching article, I was reminded of to them. changing the magazine’s name to a spring day in 1969 at UT-Martin. Tennessee Alumni.) Several of us were having a late Saturday Sincerely, breakfast and second/third cup of coffee, George M. McKelvy Dear Editor, and I was bemoaning the fact that I was Martin ’71 With three years of conscious Latin and spending my out-of-class time tutoring two daughters, I must admit I never saw classmates in math and engineering this, and it makes all the sense to change science. I suggested that someone had to it without any comment. It never hurts go into the high schools and do a better to have sharp professors looking over job of teaching math and science. I was CORRECTIONS: our shoulders. told that someone might as well be me. In the winter 2020 issue, the cutline on Monday morning, I changed my page 6 should have read: Karen Holst, Pond Jerald Duncan major to secondary education with Gap Elementary coordinator; Christopher Health Science Center ’65 Almanza, former Pond Gap Elementary student; and Bob Kronick, UT Knoxville professor of educational psychology and INSTAGRAM counseling, believe in the power of @26connie: “She is such a role model. community schools. Our school is so fortunate to have her!” On page 44, the photo caption should TWITTER have read: 4] From left, Ben Scott, Riddell Corrie Livesay: “I have 3 daughters Scott (HSC ’02), Nishel Patel (HSC ’11) and that have been blessed to have had T.J. Patel, HSC department of dermatology Ms. Manning as their teacher! So very chair, attend the UTHSC department of dermatology weekend. SELECTED COMMENTS from thankful for all she does.” social media regarding “Remembering Hayli Victoria: “@manning4u you will Why,” a story by Alison Manning in the always be an inspiration to us” On page, 47, the photo caption should winter 2020 issue about why she has Bre Hubb: “This woman is probably one have read: 17] Attending the UTHSC College remained in the teaching profession of my very favorite people in the world” of Medicine Alumni and Friends Reception are, for 14 years. Loren Grace: “My two worlds collide!!! from left, Errol Thomas (HSC ’00); LaTonya I love the mission and work of Washington (HSC ’04); Scott Strome, UTHSC FACEBOOK @TNAlumnus, and I love Ms. Manning College of Medicine executive dean; Corbi Brett Chumley: “There’s no way to put and the impact she made on mine and Milligan (HSC ’00, Knoxville ’13); Jessica into words how amazing she is.