Category: UTM Unlimited

Jeff Parham, a Martin attorney and UTM alumnus, takes office Sept. 1 as the new circuit judge for the 27th Judicial Court, which serves Obion and Weakley counties. His first jury trial is Sept. 9. Parham compares his transition from lawyer to judge to a baseball game. “You become the gamekeeper. Like a referee at… Continue reading UTM alumnus ready to referee cases from circuit bench

Newly elected Weakley County Mayor Jake Bynum survived a tough race to become the youngest county mayor in Tennessee on Aug. 7. Bynum, 30, said he was thrilled to hear the news that he had won the election. “There was a sense of relief after it was all over, but we were ecstatic to know… Continue reading UTM alumnus lands seat as Weakley County mayor

One may assume that for an English professor with 45 years of teaching, writing, and researching experience, the story ends with retirement. However, if that professor happens to be Dr. Neil Graves, that assumption could not be more wrong. Graves has a 15 page resume filled with years of academic and scholarly achievements, but he… Continue reading The man and his legacy

A lot of times people go somewhere and end up staying much longer than they had originally intended. For Dr. Gary Steinke, what was supposed to be a two-year stint in 1977 has turned into more than 36 years serving as a professor at UTM. In the spring of 1977, on the University of Michigan… Continue reading Professor gave up network career to teach

UTM, CNN, the Obama Administration, Yale Law School and the New York Times best seller list while all very different, have a common denominator: Van Jones. He was born Anthony Kapel Jones, but chooses to go by Van. Jones, a Jackson, Tenn. native and son of Willie and Loretta Jones, graduated from UTM in the… Continue reading ‘Crossfire’ co-host devotes life to the fight

Nathan Daniels is currently serving as a Nuclear Security Research Assistant and Intern at the American Security Project in Washington, D.C. “As far as the internship, I’ve always wanted a career in public service. I felt that by interning in D.C. it would give me a first hand experience that could serve as a foundation for… Continue reading UTM student interns with national think tank in DC

Imagine arriving in a country that has just been ravaged by a hurricane. Entire cities have been wiped out. Row upon row of tiny shelters line the street, acting as homes to the thousands of people who’ve lost everything. The smells of human waste and filth assault you. You see the grubby hands of smiling… Continue reading Couple dedicates life to helping others

Five years ago today, UTM lost one of its biggest fans, supporters and a truly, great lady: Kathleen Elam. “Kathleen was always just lovely and a gracious lady. She was always a gracious hostess; and a kind, generous, gentle person. She loved this campus, this school, and Tom did too. Her hobbies were gardening and… Continue reading Their legacy lives on: Kathleen and Tom Elam

Everyone is involved in agriculture. In fact, you couldn’t get through every aspect of your day without agriculture. The artist from Ohio, the political science major from New Jersey, the future teacher from Tennessee and you are all consumers. As consumers, you are a vital part of the agricultural community. Andy and Ellie Holt of… Continue reading Agriculture surrounds everyone’s daily life

Trisha Capansky, assistant professor of English and Modern Foreign Languages worked as a journalist for several years before deciding to hang up her reporter’s hat. She became interested in politics and government at a very young age. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have an interest in politics and government. When I was… Continue reading The life of a journalist