About
The East Tennessee Chapter of The University of Alabama Alumni Association (ETUA) brings together alumni and friends living in the area. This chapter has three goals:
- Inform prospective students of the high-caliber education provided by the University of Alabama
- Raise funds and award scholarships every year, and
- Provide Bama fans in East Tennessee with numerous opportunities to get together and cheer on the Tide and support the University.
Since 1980, the ETUA Chapter has awarded over 100 scholarships valued over $1,000,000.
Since 2000, the ETUA Chapter has received the National Alumni Association’s Most Outstanding Out-of-State Chapter Award in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2015, and 2019 in addition to numerous other awards.
In addition to our chapter awards and ongoing recognition of our generous donors, numerous ETUA members have also been recognized by The University of Alabama including:
- 1988 College of Engineering Distinguished Engineering Fellow John Moebes
- 2009 NAA Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Ann Payne
- 2016 Paul W. Bryant Alumni‑Athlete Award recipient Jack L. Bailey Jr.
- 2018-2022 NAA Region 3 VP Chris Lambert
- 2022-25 NAA Region 3 VP Greg Stroud
- 2024 NAA Outstanding Senior Award recipient Madison Hullett
- 2025 College of Engineering Distinguished Engineering Fellow Jeffrey Barker
We invite you to join our chapter and Facebook group, to participate in our meetings and special events, and to admire and support our scholarship recipients.
2025-26 ETUA Executive Committee:
Tate Cantrell – President
TBD – Secretary
Ginny Morrow – Treasurer
Jim Mungenast – Scholarship Committee Chair
Ginny Morrow – Social Committee Chair
Ruth Ann Terry – Young Alumni Coordinator
Ellen Cochrane-Veum – Coach Gene Stallings Documentary Event Coordinator
Jeff Barker – Immediate past Chapter President
Gene Chunn – Past Chapter President
Greg Stroud – Past Chapter President, immediate past NAA Region 3 Vice President
The ETUA Chapter email address is: etnual@gmail.com. This email inbox is monitored, and a timely response will be provided to all inquiries. If you provide your phone number in the inquiry, we will call you to discuss your inquiry.
The ETUA Chapter Facebook group is East Tennessee Chapter, The University of Alabama Alumni Association.
MEMBERSHIP
If you are a friend, fan, or alumnus of the University of Alabama, please join us. Graduating from The University of Alabama is not a requirement for membership.
The annual membership fee is $25 for an individual or $40 for a family. Download the Membership Form and mail it with your check. Your membership fee helps support ETUA’s mission of sending students from this area to the University of Alabama as well as chapter activities. As a member, you can play an active role in the chapter, attend events, and have opportunities for game tickets and other benefits.
Membership
Membership
If you are a friend, fan, or alumnus of the University of Alabama, please join us. Graduating from The University of Alabama is not a requirement for membership.
The annual membership fee is $25 for an individual or $40 for a family. Download the Membership Form and mail it with your check. Your membership fee helps support ETUA’s mission of sending students from this area to the University of Alabama as well as chapter activities. As a member, you can play an active role in the chapter, attend events, and have opportunities for game tickets and other benefits.
Scholarship Information
East Tennessee UA Scholarship Program
Nothing distinguishes the ETUA Chapter more than our passionate pursuit of scholarships.
- We raise funds for scholarships.
- We actively recruit local area students through college fairs and other activities.
- We award scholarships.
Scholarships are typically $20,500 each. $10,000 is awarded to incoming freshmen from the area who have timely applied for scholarship consideration through the general University of Alabama scholarship application process. Then an annual stipend of $3500 is provided to our scholarship recipients who maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average through their sophomore, junior and senior years.
ETUA has the largest corpus balance of any chapter outside the state of Alabama, which allows the chapter to award some of the largest scholarships in the nation to students in the East Tennessee area.
To be considered for ETUA scholarships, incoming freshmen must complete the general University of Alabama scholarship application in a timely manner.
ETUA Chapter Endowed Scholarships
Col. Joe and Claire Shephard Endowed Scholarship
William P. and Norene Stallworth Endowed Scholarship
Jim Bogan Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Edmond B. Lester & Roberta J. Evans Endowed Scholarship
Mark and Elaine Heinrich Endowed Scholarship
Virginia K. & William E. Morrow Endowed Scholarship
Brig. General Jim & Jeanie Mungenast Endowed Scholarship
Dr. & Mrs. Bill Stallworth Endowed Scholarship
Hoyt & Margie Turbyfill Endowed Scholarship
ETUA Chapter Endowed Scholarship
Jeffrey and Ana Barker Endowed Scholarship
Zachary J. Veum Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Ann Ray Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Vanda L. Scott Nursing Scholarship
The Payne Family Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship recipients
| 2025 | Dominick Zain Hylton (Grainger High School) | Shepherd | |
| Dossie Marie Nichols (Knoxville Catholic High School) | Stallworth | ||
| Chase Thomas Brody (West High School) | Morrow | ||
| 2024 |
Savannah Baughn (Oak Ridge High School)
|
Shepherd | |
| Jaycle Elaine Myers (Bearden High School) | Stallworth | ||
| Taylor Elizabeth Jordan (Webb School of Knoxville) | Morrow |
| 2023 | Mason Anthony Benedetti (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| Madelyn Rae Henrie (Farragut) | Stallworth | ||
| Tessa Olivia-Rose Schlomer (Farragut) | Morrow |
| 2022 | Julia V. Ten Eyck (Maryville) | Stallworth | |
| Marlee Mckenna Biggs (Bearden) | Morrow | ||
| Blakely Elizabeth Beron (CAK) | Shepherd |
| 2021 | Sadie Johnson (Morrow) | Morrow & Lester/Evans | |
| Elliana Weatherbie (Jefferson County) | Stallworth & Shepherd | ||
| Mallory Deeson (Farragut) | Bogan & Turbyfill | ||
| 2020 | Madison Hullett (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| Katherine Dansereau (West) | Stallworth & Turbyfill | ||
| Ruthanne Carter (West) | Morrow | ||
| 2019 | Kathryn Rose White | Shepherd | |
| Andrew Tyler Engebretsen | Stallworth, Turbyfill, ET Endowed | ||
| Mitchell Deeson | Morrow | ||
| 2018 | Gracie Benevicz (Bearden High School) | Stallworth, Turbyfill | |
| Jacob Wall (Maryville High School) | Shepherd | ||
| Tanner White (Hardin Valley Academy) | Morrow, Bogan | ||
| 2017 | Emma Karen Gentile (Hardin Valley Academy) | Shepherd, Turbyfill | |
| Sierra B. Hall (Halls) | Stallworth, Morrow | ||
| 2016 | Elijah Scarce (Morristown Hamblin W) | Shepherd | |
| Brittany Alysse Tolson (Powell) | Stallworth | ||
| Lindsay Howard (Bearden) | Turbyfill | ||
| Kaylee R. Dillon (Karns) | Bogan | ||
| 2015 | Anna Lee Hawkins (Jefferson County) | Shepherd | |
| Hunter Harmon (Seymour) | Stallworth | ||
| Brooke Jepko (Sevier County) | Turbyfill & Bogan | ||
| 2014 | Addalee Cantrell (West) | Shepherd & Bogan | |
| Taylor “Rayne” Riden (William Blount) | Stallworth | ||
| Zachary Rayborn (Maryville) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2013 | Sarah Cottingham (Oak Ridge) | Shepherd | |
| Maycie Cochram (Halls) | Stallworth | ||
| Olivia Davis (Bearden) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2012 | Mary Beth Lewis (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| Rebecca Stover (Bearden) | Stallworth | ||
| Rachael Bower (Webb) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2011 | Samuel Carden (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| Caleb Felker (Hardin Valley Academy) | Stallworth | ||
| Lucas Earl (Knoxville Catholic) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2010 | Rebecca E. Fleenor (Christian Academy of Knoxville) | Shepherd | |
| Abigail Begovich (Farragut) | Stallworth | ||
| McKenzie Pope (Home Schooled) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2009 | Julia Gardial (Knoxville Catholic) | Shepherd | |
| Paul Toth (Farragut) | Stallworth | ||
| Emily Bithorn (Bearden) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2008 | Patrick Cady (Knoxville Catholic) | Shepherd | |
| Amanda Lewis (Farragut) | Stallworth | ||
| Christine Earl (Knoxville Catholic) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2007 | Kelsey Soloman (Dobyns Bennett) | Shepherd | |
| Sydney McWaters (Maryville) | Stallworth | ||
| Seth Nelson (Dobyns Bennett) | Turbyfill | ||
| 2006 | Callie McCamy (West) | Shepherd | |
| 2005 | John Ellis (Jefferson County) | Shepherd | |
| 2004 | Lauren Bell (Knoxville Catholic) | Shepherd | |
| 2003 | Katrina Maggi (Knoxville Catholic) | Shepherd | |
| Tracy Steed (Knoxville Catholic) | Shepherd | ||
| 2002 | Leanne Gentry (Anderson County) | Shepherd | |
| 2001 | Anna Lynn Hanson (Clinton) | Shepherd | |
| 2000 | Alyson Cantrell (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| 1999 | Melody Nicole Johnson (Dobyns-Bennet) | Shepherd | |
| 1998 | Jennifer Angela Bibby (Oak Ridge) | Shepherd | |
| 1997 | Michael Wayne Missagia (Oak Ridge) | Shepherd | |
| 1996 | Brian Edward Sparks (Karns) | Shepherd | |
| 1995 | Carrie Elizabeth Gaddis (Oak Ridge) | Shepherd | |
| 1994 | Patrick Lynn Bullock (Halls) | Shepherd | |
| 1993 | Sarah Anne Mezga (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| 1992 | Mack Bradley Sparks (Karns) | Shepherd | |
| 1991 | Christi Renee Morris (Loudon) | Shepherd | |
| 1990 | Valerie Eby (Maryville) | Shepherd | |
| 1989 | Amy Elizabeth McManus (Bearden) | Shepherd | |
| 1988 | Elizabeth Ann Hendon (Farragut) | Shepherd | |
| 1987 | Karen Elizabeth Bryant (Webb) | Shepherd | |
| 1986 | Paige Whetstone (Farragut) | M.J. Langley Memorial Scholarship | |
| 1985 | Christopher Carr Ackerson (Farragut) | Bill Huddleston Memorial Scholarship | |
| 1984 | Tracy Monique Russell (Farragut) | Gift, Col. Joe & Claire Shepherd | |
| 1983 | Anna Katherine Smith (Maryville) | ||
| 1982 | Robin Lynn Latham (Oak Ridge) | ||
| 1981 | Anna Katherine Smith (Maryville) | ||
| 1980 | Beverly Ann Bradford (Greenville) | ||
| Celia Ann Jackson (Bearden) |
ETUA Scholarship Information Assistance
ETUA Chapter officers and members can assist area students interested in the University of Alabama. We can give referrals to the correct University staff members and answer questions about attending the University of Alabama. In addition, we can help provide customized campus visits for highly qualified students. Please reach out to any ETUA officer for information.
Events
- Aug 23, 2023: Student Recruiting Event, Bridgewater Place, Knoxville
- Sep 07, 2023: ESPN Senior Sports Writer Chris Low Speaker Event, Lakeside Tavern, Knoxville
- Oct 17, 2023: UA Athletics Sportscaster Chris Stewart Speaker Event, Lakeside Tavern, Knoxville
- Oct 21, 2023: Tennessee Game Watch, Schulz Brau Brewery, Knoxville
- Nov 4, 2023: LSU Game Watch, Carolina Ale House, Knoxville
- Nov 11, 2023: Kentucky Game Bus & Tailgating with the Tide, Lexington
- Nov 18, 2023: Community Service at Second Harvest Food Kitchen, Maryville
- Dec 2, 2023: SEC Championship Game Watch, Carolina Ale House, Knoxville
- Jan 1, 2024: Rose Bowl Game Watch, Carolina Ale House, Knoxville
- March 21, 2024: UA Athletics Sportscaster Eli Gold Speaker Event, Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville
- May 14, 2024: Scholarship Awards Banquet, Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville
- May 27, 2024: Memorial Day Community Service, East Tennessee Veterans Memorial at World’s Fair Park, Knoxville
- August 27, 2024: Student Recruiting Event, Bridgewater Place, Knoxville
- September 14, 2024: Wisconsin Game Watch, Carolina Ale House, Knoxville
- September 19, 2024: Young Alumni Happy Hour, Xul Brewing Co., Knoxville
- September 23-28, 2024: Beat Georgia Donation Challenge
- September 27, 2025: Georgia game watch, Knoxville, Southside Garage
- September 28, 2024: Georgia Game Watch, XUL Beer Company, Knoxville
- October 19, 2024: Tennessee Pre-Game Party, XUL Beer Company, Knoxville
- November 9, 2024: LSU Game Watch, Carolina Ale House, Knoxville
- January 25, 2025: Second Harvest Food Bank Community Service, Maryville
- February 19, 2025: Greg Byrne Speaker Event and Silent Auction Fundraiser, Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville – CANCELLED due to inclement weather
- May 1, 2025: Scholarship Awards Dinner, First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville
- July 31, 2025: “Nothing But a Winner – The Alabama Football Story”, Regal Downtown West Theaters. Pre-movie social at Drake’s. Knoxville
- August 14, 2025: Chapter Fall Kickoff with guest speaker ESPN Senior Sports Writer Chris Low, The Chop House, 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
- September 27, 2025: Georgia game watch, Southside Garage, Knoxville
- October 4, 2025: Vandy game watch, Southside Garage, Knoxville
- October 14, 2025: Pre-Tennessee Game Dinner with guest speaker Hall of Fame Sportswriter Kirk McNair, Fox Den, Knoxville
- November 8, 2025: LSU game watch, Southside Garage, Knoxville
- Spring 2026: “Do Right: The Stallings Standard Movie Event, Knoxville Catholic High School, Coach Gene Stallings’ Training Center (dedicated to Coach Stallings in 2009 when he visited)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Worth Wilkerson (originally written August 2000; edited to update)
The Early Days
The East Tennessee Chapter of the University of Alabama Alumni Association received its charter in 1948. Jeff Coleman, secretary of the NAA, presented the charter at a meeting held at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in downtown Knoxville. Sherrill Mitchell, class of 1926, was installed as the chapter’s first president.
New Directions
Changes were made in the late 1970’s that put the chapter on its present course and established it as one of the National Alumni Association’s premier out-of-state chapters.
First, Col. Joe Shepherd, then a faculty member at the University of Tennessee, secured a permanent meeting place at the Faculty Club, and the club started meeting on the third Friday of every month (in honor of a little rivalry called the 3rd Saturday in October).
Secondly, the chapter, acting on a suggestion from Travis Parker, voted to establish a chapter scholarship. The scholarship, initially valued at $1,000, would be used to encourage top East Tennessee Area students to attend UA.
Gathering Funds for Scholarship
Fundraising to support the scholarship commitment became the chapter’s focus. Encouraged by a contribution from Joe and Claire Shepherd, several chapter members agreed to contribute $100 each to get the scholarship fund going. In 1980, the chapter had enough cash to award its first scholarship.
For several years, the chapter had to fund the scholarship from its current funds while it worked to accumulate the minimum amount required to endow a scholarship through the NAA. In 1987, the goal was finally reached, and an endowed scholarship became a reality. In recognition of their continuing generous support of the scholarship, the chapter named the scholarship in honor of Col. Joe and Claire Shepherd.
Notable Success
With a growing number of scholarship endowments, a student recruitment effort that reaches thousands of high school students, an annual spring banquet, popular game watch events, and well-attended meetings, it is no surprise that the East Tennessee Chapter is a perennial winner of Chapter of the Year honors from the NAA.
Gallery
