The University of Tennessee used the quieter spring break period to push forward with several campus construction and infrastructure projects at its flagship campus in Knoxville.
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While students were away, crews continued work across the campus on repairs, upgrades and new development initiatives. University officials often use academic breaks to accelerate projects because fewer people on campus reduces disruption to classes, housing and transportation routes.
Several maintenance projects scheduled during the break include bed removal at Carrick Halls, geothermal leak repairs at the Chi Omega facility, steam system repairs at Rocky Top Dining Hall and water line work along Stephenson Drive.
Additional improvements include construction-related lane and sidewalk closures around the UT Medical Nursing Building, installation of turnstiles in Sorority Village and equipment replacement at the campus music building.
Work also continues on the university’s new Torchbearer Hall academic facility, while geotechnical studies are underway for a proposed “Condotel” project near Neyland Stadium.
University officials say spring break provides an ideal window for infrastructure work that would otherwise affect student movement and daily campus operations.
The current construction schedule includes:
Many of these projects focus on maintaining aging infrastructure while preparing campus facilities for future growth.
At the same time, larger development projects are progressing across campus as the university continues to expand academic, research and student facilities.
During the same week, Donde Plowman received a major regional leadership honor recognizing her role in guiding the university’s growth.
The Knoxville Chamber presented Plowman with the 2026 James A. Haslam II Leadership Award, which recognizes influential business and community leaders in East Tennessee.
The award was presented March 5 during the chamber’s annual Pinnacle Business Awards Gala.
“This award honors the deep relationships the university shares with our community and the positive change we can create together,” Plowman said in a news release. “No one achieves success without others, and I am fortunate to lead and work with talented individuals across our campus and the UT System. This recognition is a testament to our collective efforts and all those who support UT’s mission.”
The recognition highlights the university’s continued expansion in research, enrollment and economic impact across the region.
The university also announced that Grell & Watson Patent Attorneys is opening a satellite office at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm.
The office will operate in partnership with technology startup TreisD, which established its headquarters at the research park in 2025.
"We are thrilled to announce plans of opening our new branch office of Grell & Watson Patent Attorneys in Knoxville,” founder Mat Grell said in a news release. “We look forward to delivering expert patent and trademark services while providing dedicated guidance and support to inventors and startups at the university and throughout the regional area."
The new office expands the firm’s presence beyond its existing locations in Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.
Officials say the addition strengthens the innovation ecosystem surrounding the university’s research park and provides intellectual property support for emerging companies.
“Our goal is to continuously strengthen the ecosystem of resources available to startups and innovators at the UT Research Park,” Cherokee Farm Development Corporation President and CEO Brett Malone said in a news release. “The addition of experienced intellectual-property professionals operating within the park further expands the support infrastructure available to emerging companies as they grow and commercialize new technologies.”
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Alongside campus improvements and partnerships, the university also received national recognition from several major publications.
Forbes ranked the university No. 36 on its 2026 list of America’s Best Large Employers, marking the fifth consecutive year the institution has appeared on the list.
The publication has previously recognized the university as a Dream Employer, a top employer in Tennessee and one of the best employers for new graduates.
Meanwhile, Time placed the university among The World’s Top Universities of 2026.
The rankings placed the school No. 33 among U.S. public universities, No. 64 among all U.S. institutions and No. 157 globally. The university also ranked fifth among members of the Southeastern Conference.
“This recognition affirms the world-class education and unrivaled student experience we’re delivering at the University of Tennessee,” Plowman said in a news release. “UT isn’t just impacting the state. We’re stepping forward as a global leader in innovation, collaborative research and academic excellence. I’m so proud of our dedicated faculty, staff and students who push us to be great in all that we do.”
University leaders say the combination of infrastructure upgrades, research partnerships and academic achievements reflects UT’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its national and global reputation.
Originally reported by Keenan Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel in Knox News.
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