Chancellor Yancy Freeman speaks during his investiture ceremony March 15 in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. Freeman is the 12th chancellor for UT Martin and the first African American chancellor at an undergraduate University of Tennessee campus. The investiture served as a platform to celebrate the university’s commitment to academic excellence and its mission. The event underscored the importance of recognizing and supporting the new chancellor’s role in guiding the university community toward its collective goals.
Freeman was confirmed as UT Martin’s chancellor in July 2023, with his appointment effective Aug. 9, 2023. With the theme of “Ready, Set, Soar!,” the investiture contained the pomp and ceremony usually seen in graduation ceremonies and other formal events.
“When I first started talking about an investiture, I worried that folks would believe that this program was, somehow, to celebrate me,” he said. “I hope anyone who spends 30 seconds with me can feel my energy and passion for others and their success.
“This program is a celebration of the things that are happening at UTM and the wonderful things to come in the near future.”
