University of Tennessee Dedicates Winston College of Law

Knoxville TN, September 23, 2025

News Summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has dedicated the Winston College of Law and the Frank Winston Law Building. Named in honor of Frank Winston, a notable alumnus, the renaming follows a generous $32.5 million donation from The Bill Gatton Foundation. This endowment will support scholarships and grants for law students, enhancing educational opportunities and fostering a commitment to public service within the legal profession.

KNOXVILLE, TN

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has officially dedicated the newly named Winston College of Law and the Frank Winston Law Building in a ceremony held on September 9, 2025. The college’s renaming honors the late Frank Winston, a distinguished alumnus and former Tennessee lawmaker. This naming was made possible through a transformational gift of $32.5 million from The Bill Gatton Foundation.

Chancellor Donde Plowman acknowledged the generosity of The Bill Gatton Foundation, emphasizing Frank Winston’s significant impact and lasting legacy on the institution. Frank Winston, who graduated from the UT College of Law in 1952, practiced law for over four decades and played a critical role in Tennessee’s legal and political landscape.

The generous donation will establish the Frank Winston Public Interest and Business Law Fellows program, which will provide full scholarships for three years of Juris Doctor studies alongside stipends and paid summer work. In addition, the Frank Winston Law Grants will offer $1,000 annually to at least 50 law students each class to help ease their educational costs.

Frank Winston was a close personal friend and legal counsel to the late Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, after whom The Bill Gatton Foundation is named. Historically focused on the University of Kentucky, the Foundation decided to invest in the law school at UT Knoxville as a tribute to their long-standing relationship with Frank Winston.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved the naming and donation during a special meeting on May 16, 2025. Brian Boyles, UT’s senior vice chancellor for advancement, highlighted the substantial impact this gift will have on future law students and the broader community.

Lonnie Brown, dean of the Winston College of Law, expressed the intention to attract students who are committed to making a positive impact in society.

The endowment from The Bill Gatton Foundation is expected to take one year to establish fully before the funds can be allocated for use. Plans are in place for creating fellowships and grants every year to support students focusing on public service within the legal profession.

Frank Winston’s legal practice spanned from 1953 until 1994, and he was recognized as the president of the Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Bar Association as well as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. His contributions also include serving as chairman of the Legal Sections of both the Tennessee Public Power Association and the American Public Power Association.

Winston entered the Tennessee State House of Representatives in 1955, becoming the youngest member at the time. His legal and political contributions included involvement with the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Following his passing in 2023, Frank Winston’s legacy continues through this college and the educational opportunities it aims to provide.

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Additional Resources

• Knox News: University of Tennessee Law School Renaming
• Wikipedia: Frank Winston
• WATE: University of Tennessee College of Law Changes Name
• Google Search: University of Tennessee Law School
• Knox News: Tennessee Expulsion SEC State Law
• Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Tennessee
• Knox News: Knox County DA Fires Prosecutor
• Google News: Frank Winston

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