Five University of Tennessee at Martin alumni will be recognized for their professional achievements, leadership and service to the university during the 2026 Homecoming celebration.
The awards will be presented at the Chancellor’s Homecoming Brunch and Alumni Awards Program at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Paul Meek Library on the UT Martin campus. Attendance at the brunch and program are by invitation only. The winners will be presented during the UT Martin Homecoming football game that same afternoon.
ROBERT L. “BOB” CARROLL | TODD HAMPTON | JENNIFER HAMPTON
Chancellor’s Award for University Service recipients
SHELBY VANNOY – Outstanding Young Alumni Award | KIM SEYMOUR – Outstanding Alumni Award
This year’s honorees include Shelby Vannoy, Outstanding Young Alumni Award; Robert L. “Bob” Carroll and Todd and Jennifer Hampton, Chancellor’s Award for University Service; and Kim Seymour, Outstanding Alumni Award.
Shelby Vannoy • Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Shelby Vannoy, a native of Lascassas, will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Vannoy earned degrees in agricultural business and political science from UT Martin in 2018, building on an early interest in agricultural leadership developed through the National FFA Organization. She served as both a regional and state FFA officer.
She currently serves as associate director of public policy for Tennessee Farm Bureau, where she advocates for Tennessee farmers and works to ensure their interests are represented in the legislative process.
Before joining Tennessee Farm Bureau, Vannoy gained experience in public policy and government through positions with a statewide political campaign, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, the Tennessee General Assembly and the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers.
In addition to her professional advocacy, Vannoy remains actively involved in agriculture. She and her husband, Coty, operate a farm in Lawrence County, where they raise registered sheep, market USDA-inspected beef, pork and lamb, grow seasonal produce and produce hay.
Her husband is an agricultural education teacher and FFA adviser at Columbia Central High School.
Through her work in public policy and agricultural production, Vannoy continues to advocate for Tennessee farmers while supporting the development of future agricultural leaders.
Robert L. “Bob” Carroll • Chancellor’s Award for University Service
Robert L. “Bob” Carroll will receive the Chancellor’s Award for University Service in recognition of more than four decades of service to UT Martin as a football coach, educator, administrator and historian.
A Milan native, Carroll earned a two-year diploma from the University of Tennessee Martin Branch in 1954. As a member of the football team, he earned Most Valuable Player honors in 1952 and 1953 and served as team captain in 1953.
Carroll continued his education and athletics career at the University of Wyoming, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in 1956. He later earned a master’s degree in history and political science from the University of Mississippi in 1962.
He returned to Martin in 1957 as head football coach, beginning an 18-year tenure that established him as one of the most successful coaches in university history. His greatest athletic achievement came in 1967, when he led the Volunteers to a 10-1 season and a 25-6 victory over West Chester State in the Tangerine Bowl. The victory marked the only bowl appearance in UT Martin football history and earned the team the Atlantic Coast College Division national championship.
Beyond athletics, Carroll taught history and held leadership positions in university administration and alumni affairs. He retired in 1997 as assistant vice chancellor for alumni affairs after more than 40 years of service to the institution.
Carroll also authored “The University of Tennessee at Martin: The First One Hundred Years,” documenting the people, events and milestones that shaped the university.
His accomplishments include induction as a charter member of the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983 and induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2002, the university further recognized his contributions by naming the Bob Carroll Football Building at Hardy M. Graham Stadium in his honor.
Todd and Jennifer Hampton • Chancellor’s Award for University Service
Todd and Jennifer Hampton of Martin will receive the Chancellor’s Award for University Service in recognition of their longstanding commitment to UT Martin through university leadership, student mentorship and community involvement.
Both raised on farms in Northwest Tennessee, the Hamptons met as UT Martin undergraduates in 1994. Todd, originally from Obion County, graduated in 1996 with a degree in agricultural business. Jennifer, originally from Dyer County, earned a degree in economics and finance in 1997 and later completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Union University.
The couple are financial advisers with Edward Jones in downtown Martin and remain actively involved in supporting their alma mater.
Todd currently serves on the Chancellor’s Roundtable and has previously served on the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Advisory Board, UT Martin Athletics Board and as president of the Skyhawk Club for two terms.
Jennifer serves on the UT Martin Advisory Board, UT Foundation Board and College of Business Advisory Board. Her previous service includes the UT Women’s Council, Chancellor’s Roundtable and UT Board of Governors.
Together, the Hamptons regularly mentor UT Martin students through speaking engagements and individual meetings, sharing their professional experiences and providing guidance to the next generation of leaders.
The couple married in 1997 and have one son, Boone. They remain dedicated supporters of Skyhawk athletics and university activities.
Kim Seymour • Outstanding Alumni Award
Kim Seymour will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award in recognition of her accomplishments in executive leadership, organizational strategy and professional development.
A 1992 UT Martin graduate, Seymour earned a Bachelor of Science degree before continuing her education at Vanderbilt University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree, and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, where she earned a Master of Business Administration degree.
Seymour serves as chief people officer at SKIMS, the apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian. In that position, she is responsible for scaling talent and people operations within the company. She brings nearly 30 years of experience in human resources and organizational leadership across the consumer goods, financial services and technology industries.
Throughout her career, Seymour has held leadership roles with major organizations, including Etsy, WeightWatchers, American Express, Home Depot Supply and General Electric.
Her expertise includes executive leadership development, talent management, succession planning, organizational design and workforce strategy. She has also provided executive coaching and strategic advisory services through Leadership Amplified, helping business leaders strengthen organizational performance and navigate change.
A recognized voice in leadership and workplace strategy, Seymour has spoken internationally on leadership and performance, with her insights featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes and Entrepreneur.
Seymour has also served on boards for RHR International and Fisk University, contributing her expertise in governance, leadership and organizational effectiveness.
For more information about the 2026 Homecoming celebration, visit alumni.utm.edu/homecoming.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 731-881-7000.
