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As the academic year comes to a close, 95 students from across Tennessee are preparing to join the Volunteer family in the fall as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s second class of Distinguished Tennessean Scholars.

UT launched the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award in fall 2022 with the goal of awarding a tuition and mandatory fees scholarship, renewable for four years, to one outstanding student from each county across the state. The scholarship is part of UT’s continued commitment to providing Tennessee students access to an affordable and valuable education shaped by a rich educational experience.

Award recipient Sarah Thrasher of Fayette County plans to study nutrition at UT. “I am truly honored to have been selected as a recipient of this award,” said Thrasher. “It makes me further appreciate those who have guided me through my adolescence and helped me to get to where I am now. Receiving this award makes me even more proud of both being a Tennessean and a resident of Fayette County.”

Students from the Lakeway Area who were awarded the scholarship are:

• Claiborne County, Claiborne High School: Addie Brooks

• Cocke County, Cocke County High School: Anthony Steinbacher

• Grainger County, Grainger High School: Laney Newman

• Hamblen County, Morristown-Hamblen East High School: Connor Douglas

• Hancock County, Claiborne High School: Hannah Fugate

• Hawkins County, North Green High School, Jeremiah Monaghan

• Jefferson County, Jefferson County High School: Connor Rollins

Each year, one incoming first-year in-state student from each of the 95 Tennessee counties who demonstrates exceptional academic performance and engagement will be selected to receive the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award. Students who apply to the university by Dec. 15, the regular admissions deadline, are automatically considered for the award.

The recipient must be admitted to the university and enroll for the fall semester immediately following their graduation from a Tennessee high school.

UT is investing in more scholarships than ever before. In addition to the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship, the university offers the Tri-Star Scholarship program, the Volunteer Scholarship, and other institutional scholarships to Tennessee residents. More scholarship opportunities can be found on the One Stop website. Prospective students should apply by the regular admissions deadline of Dec. 15 to be fully considered for these scholarships.