Peyton Manning Awards Scholarships and Donations to UT Knoxville

Knoxville, TN, September 2, 2025

News Summary

Peyton Manning, a notable alumnus of the University of Tennessee, has announced significant scholarships and a $4 million donation aimed at enhancing communication studies at UT Knoxville. The funds will establish two new endowments focused on student success initiatives and faculty research. Four outstanding students have been awarded the Peyton Manning Scholarship, which recognizes leadership and community impact. Manning’s contributions continue his commitment to supporting future generations of students in communication and media fields.

KNOXVILLE, TN – Peyton Manning Awards Scholarships and Donates $4 Million to Support Communication Studies at UT Knoxville

Peyton Manning, a celebrated alumnus of the University of Tennessee, delivered a significant announcement on August 26 regarding his philanthropic efforts to support students at the university. Manning awarded the prestigious Peyton Manning Scholarship to four exceptional students and made a generous donation of over $4 million aimed at enhancing opportunities within the College of Communication and Information.

The new donation will establish two critical endowments: the Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment and the John Haas Director’s Chair Endowment. These endowments are designed to promote student success initiatives, bolster faculty research, and create strategic opportunities within the rapidly evolving communication and media industries.

This year’s Peyton Manning Scholarship recipients include Caroline Garrell, Caleb Hopper, Chrishton King, and Luke Payne. All four students will participate in the esteemed Haslam Leadership Scholars program, which emphasizes leadership development and community impact.

Since its inception in 1998, the Peyton Manning Scholarship has rewarded 65 students who exemplify leadership and commitment to positively influencing their campus and communities. Manning emphasized the rigorous selection process for this year’s scholarship, designed to identify candidates who demonstrate a significant dedication to leadership.

Each of the scholarship winners shared their academic aspirations during the announcement. Caroline Garrell, a recent graduate of Lincoln County High School, plans to pursue studies in natural resources and environmental economics before attending law school. Caleb Hopper, who graduated from the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, is focusing on industrial and systems engineering and has a minor in business, with ambitions of becoming a CEO. Chrishton King, from Memphis University School, is studying public affairs and finance, also with aspirations of law school. Luke Payne, who graduated from Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, is pursuing a degree in business management with dreams of entrepreneurship.

Manning encouraged the scholarship recipients to continue making positive contributions to the university and the wider community even after graduation. In addition to the scholarship announcements, Manning recognized the legacy of Danny Burnley by announcing that Gate 21B at Neyland Stadium would now be named the Danny Burnley Players Pass Gate, honoring Burnley’s remarkable 50 years of service to the football team and ticket office.

Chancellor Donde Plowman remarked that Manning’s continual contributions provide essential resources for future generations of students in the College of Communication and Information, ensuring they have access to valuable programs and opportunities. Manning’s commitment to giving back to his alma mater is noteworthy, as he has previously facilitated donations for academic purposes and internships for UT students through his company, Omaha Productions.

Impact of Manning’s Contributions

Peyton Manning’s recent donation and the establishment of the new endowments represent a significant investment in the future of communication studies at UT Knoxville. These funds are expected to enable groundbreaking research, foster relationships with industry partners, and lead to unprecedented opportunities for students aspiring to excel in communication and media careers.

Key Details of the Peyton Manning Scholarships

• Scholarship Recipients: Caroline Garrell, Caleb Hopper, Chrishton King, Luke Payne
• Total Scholarships Awarded Since 1998: 65 students
• New Endowments Created: Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment, John Haas Director’s Chair Endowment
• University Programs Supported: Student success initiatives, faculty research, strategic industry opportunities

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Additional Resources

• Knox News: Peyton Manning Scholarship Recipients
• Fox17: Peyton Manning Donates $4 Million to UT
• Forbes: Peyton Manning’s $4 Million Donation to UT
• WATE: Peyton Manning Awards Scholarships
• Wikipedia

Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.