Last week, some of Herbert’s best and brightest young alumni gathered on the ag campus for the first ever Herbert College of Agriculture Young Alumni Council meeting.
The Herbert Young Alumni Council is in its inaugural year of service. As the premier leadership opportunity for Herbert’s young alums, the council will work to promote all things Herbert College of Agriculture, UT Institute of Agriculture, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The 2024-2025 council consists of twenty-four members who have graduated within the past ten years, with twenty in attendance for the meeting. Alumni from nearly every major were represented from animal science to food science, construction science and management, agricultural leadership, education, and communications, and more.
During the meeting, alumni had plenty of time to mingle and reminisce about their experiences as Herbert students. Additionally, they listened to keynote speakers like Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver, Interim Dean David White, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Charley Deal, and other leaders of the college.
The speeches and presentations by the institute and college leadership involved overall college updates, recruitment and enrollment, and upcoming initiatives like Big Orange Give. The council also had the opportunity to review the college’s by-laws and constitution and set future goals to promote the success of Herbert.
Some fun activities the council took part in included a happy hour at Yee-Haw Brewing the night before the meeting, a social event at Keith Carver’s home, and a UTIA tailgate on the rooftop of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building before the home football game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The alumni received free tickets to the game as well!
The council will meet in person twice a year—once in the fall and once in the spring. Other responsibilities outside of the meetings are promotion of the college and agriculture in the state of Tennessee; current student mentorship; assistance with the recruitment of prospective Herbert students; service as an ambassador, advisor, and advocate for Herbert and its leadership; and service as a representative for other Herbert and UT alumni.
“I am so proud of the group of alumni we have brought together to serve on the Young Alumni Council. We have a driven and passionate group of people who truly care about their alma mater. It was not only empowering, but also refreshing to be in a room full of people who care about the Herbert College of Agriculture and its success as much as I do. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish over the next few years!” said Mackenzie Furches, alumni outreach and engagement coordinator.
More information about the Herbert Young Alumni Council can be found on the Herbert Alumni page of our website.
