The University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA) announced its 2025 faculty award winners. UT Martin’s Dr. Tammie Patterson, associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies, and Dr. Philip Smartt, professor of natural resources management in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources, received the Outstanding Teacher Award.
The UTAA recognizes more than 30 faculty members system-wide each year who demonstrate a passion for teaching, commitment to public service and dedication to each campus and its students. An awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with the UTAA Board of Governors meeting on June 6, in Knoxville, Tenn.
Smartt has taught courses in natural resources and park management at UT Martin since 2003. Outside of the classroom, he has assisted in securing and supervising student internships and service-learning hours, encouraging students to gain valuable hands-on learning experience. Each summer, Smartt has helped facilitate the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences and was named program director in 2024.
Patterson has taught education courses at UT Martin’s Parsons Center since 2009, where she also serves as the director of education. In addition to these roles, she prepares her students for their teaching careers by advising, mentoring, and approving students for the Education Preparation Program. Patterson holds advanced postgraduate degrees in educational leadership and as a reading specialist. For more information, contact Holly Seng, assistant director of communications and engagement for the Office of Advancement, at hseng@utm.edu or call 270-970-7911.
