Becoming a Haslam Scholar is no easy accomplishment. Only around 1.5 percent of applicants are selected for the program—fifteen out of roughly a thousand—making it extremely competitive. In just a few short weeks, the Herbert College of Agriculture will welcome Haslam Scholar Haylee Ferguson, incoming freshman, to the animal science program.

The Haslam Scholars Program, founded in 2008, is a rigorous honors society at the University of Tennessee that focuses on leadership, service, and scholarship. The program includes transformational experiences like leadership courses, a leadership speaker series with guests such as Governor Bill Haslam and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, an education abroad experience, and a paid internship. Aside from the challenging curriculum, Haslam Scholars must also maintain a 3.5 GPA throughout their time in the program. The program has produced three Rhodes Scholars, and participants are routinely recognized as Torchbearers, one of the University’s top honors. 

Haylee Ferguson of Eagleville, Tennessee, will be one of two Haslam Scholars currently attending Herbert. She plans to major in animal science and eventually attend law school, where she will be an advocate for the field of agriculture. Her passion for supporting agriculture and farmers stems from her time as president of her school’s Future Farmers of America chapter. 

Haylee has a long list of accolades that easily show why she was selected as a Haslam Scholar. Aside from serving her local FFA chapter, she also served as a 4-H regional all-star officer and as her school’s class president for three years, and even graduated as valedictorian. On top of her academic success, Haylee was able to find success on the basketball court as well, where she led her team to a state tournament berth and was named regional most valuable player.

We are excited to welcome Haylee to the halls of the agricultural campus along with all of the incoming and returning Herbert students.