News Summary
The University of Tennessee College of Law has been renamed to the Frank Winston College of Law after a $32.5 million donation from the Bill Gatton Foundation. This rebranding recognizes the contributions of alumnus Frank Winston and introduces new fellowship programs and grants aimed at enhancing legal education. The initiatives promise to ease financial burdens for law students and prepare them to make significant societal contributions.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee College of Law has undergone a formal name change to become the Frank Winston College of Law, a move approved by the UT Board of Trustees in recognition of a substantial donation. The renaming honors Frank Winston, a distinguished alumnus and former Tennessee lawmaker, following a transformative $32.5 million contribution from the Bill Gatton Foundation.
Frank Winston, who served as a U.S. Air Force veteran and a former state house representative, is known for his close ties with the philanthropist Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton. The Bill Gatton Foundation’s generous donation aims to enhance educational opportunities for law students at the institution.
New Fellowship Programs
Included in the contribution from the Bill Gatton Foundation is the establishment of two fellowship programs designed to support law students making significant contributions to society. The Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows and the Frank Winston Business Law Fellows will offer full scholarships that cover three years of Juris Doctor studies. These fellowships will also provide stipends, paid summer work experiences, and opportunities for various educational activities.
Financial Support for Students
In addition to the fellowship programs, the donation introduces the Frank Winston Law Grants, which will provide three-year scholarships of $1,000 annually to at least 50 students in each class. This initiative is designed to alleviate financial burdens associated with law school expenses, ensuring wider access to legal education.
Historical Context
The Frank Winston College of Law has a storied history, having been founded in 1890. This name change marks it as the fifth named college at the University of Tennessee, joining the ranks of the Herbert College of Agriculture, Haslam College of Business, Tickle College of Engineering, and the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music.
The rebranding and new fellowship offerings reflect the University of Tennessee’s commitment to enhancing the quality and accessibility of legal education. University officials have expressed deep appreciation to the Bill Gatton Foundation for their significant investment in the future of the legal profession through this transformational funding.
Overall, the new name and initiatives promise to influence the landscape of legal education in the state, fostering a new generation of law professionals equipped with the resources and training needed to make societal impacts.
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Additional Resources
- Knox News: University of Tennessee Law School Renamed
- WATE: University of Tennessee College of Law Changes Name
- Knox News: UT Knoxville Degrees and Careers
- Wikipedia: Public Interest Law
- Google Search: Law School Funding
