Go big or go home. Better yet, head to Montana, which is the next stop for Huntingdon, Tennessee, native Dawson Gremmels, who embraced big opportunities while a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He received two degrees in May 2023 when he graduated with a double major in marketing and economics and a major in finance. This past May he received his Master of Business Administration – his third UT Martin degree – and now sets his sights on a full-time student success position at the University of Montana in Missoula. Bringing the best out in people to accomplish goals is a passion, which will serve him well in his first professional position and beyond.
Gremmels’ UT Martin journey began in fall 2020 when he arrived on campus as a first-year student. He never expected to attend college close to home, but the business school, the university community and the quad’s beauty sealed his decision to attend college 45 minutes from home. He was also impressed by his Summer Orientation and Registration and Peer Enabling Program leader who inspired him to get involved in student life. He didn’t know that he was just beginning to “think big” as he immersed himself early in campus life.
“I was in freshman council SGA (Student Government Association), but then ended up joining Greek Life my second year,” he said. “I got more involved with Phi Chi Theta, a more business fraternity, my second year, too.” He also connected with new people and assisted other students through SOAR and PEP involvement.
Gremmels described SGA as “my main passion,” and he served students in different leadership roles both during and after the COVID pandemic. He was academic affairs committee chair during 2020-21, SGA vice president during the pandemic aftermath the next year and was elected SGA president as the post-COVID new normal settled in for 2022-23. Amid the challenges, he learned much about campus operations and leadership during those years. One positive that emerged was better use of technology during the pandemic, which he said continues to benefit the university.
“There’s been a lot more virtual access for students, and that was something that they needed because of the COVID and all of a sudden because of the challenges it brought,” he said. “There were some great resources that were able to be utilized from online that have made things way more efficient and now professors are doing well with it, a lot of staff are doing well with it, and now students I think are finally adapting to a new normal.”
While academics and student leadership roles kept him busy before, during and after the pandemic, Gremmels took advantage of opportunities in both undergraduate and graduate school to work big-time sporting events from behind the scenes at two Super Bowls and two motor-racing events. Super Bowls 57 and 58 took him to Glendale, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, respectively, while NASCAR- race experience was possible instate at the Bristol Motor Speedway and Nashville Super Speedway. Gremmels joined sport business, marketing and other students as part of the Sport Business Program directed by Dr. Dexter Davis, professor of sport business.
Gremmels visited large cities and exciting sports venues and saw many celebrities through these trips, but the magnitude of the events stood out, especially the Super Bowls. “I’ve never seen something so complex being put together. … And I just think that’s really cool, really cool to see, and you don’t really truly appreciate it until you actually get there into the experience,” he said.
Never forgetting people and relationships, he’ll also remember his fellow students – many of whom he didn’t even know beforehand – who connected to make the trips beneficial and fun learning experiences for all involved. “I think one of the best things is the group of people and learning and working with others so well,” he said.
Gremmels’ experience in the sport-business world translated well to his master’s degree work and a graduate-assistant position in Skyhawk Athletics. His duties ranged from administrative work and concession sales to marketing UT Martin sports events. Among his game responsibilities was organizing in-game promotions and selecting students to compete for prizes during game timeouts and halftimes. Seeing a student make a full-court golf putt during a home basketball game promotion was a highlight.
His pursuit of big opportunities has taken Gremmels from Tennessee to Big Sky Country and an academic career-manager position that he started in June with the University of Montana. He had never been there having landed the position through virtual and phone interviews. It seems a perfect fit for someone who relishes building teams and seeing others excel to accomplish goals.
“I’ll basically be working with students to help grow them academically and in their professional life, helping connect them with different businesses around the community, as well as helping make sure their academic success and student success on campus grows,” he said.
Missoula is 27 hours away, a bit farther away than the distance between Huntingdon and Martin, but Gremmels has prepared for his own new normal both professionally and personally. His love for the outdoors and the new adventures in this distant setting will help with the transition.
“I felt that drive to go and make a mark somewhere else,” he said of the move. “And I wanted to find some place that reminded me of UTM that also I could help build, and this team I’m with is very new to their positions, so I get to help add to their team as well as add to their community, which is very strong already.”
Gremmels’ advice to people for success is to never stop changing or growing.
“If you’re constantly wanting to see growth, you don’t stop changing, you don’t stop growing, you don’t stop listening to people’s ideas,” he said. “And that’s something also I would a hundred percent say: don’t stop listening to others. Don’t stop learning.”
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