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University of Tennessee Named 2025 APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award Winner

November 12th, 2025
University of Tennessee Named 2025 APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award Winner
Marc Gibson, associate vice chancellor for research and director of the division of partnerships and economic development; R.J. Youngblood, director of economic engagement and strategic initiatives; John Zomchick, provost and senior vice chancellor; and Chancellor Donde Plowman accept the 2025 Connections Award, the top prize in the Innovation and Economic Prosperity awards category, at the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Credit: University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has earned the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' 2025 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Economic Engagement Connections Award—the top prize among the organization's Innovation and Economic Prosperity awards.

The award recognizes projects and initiatives that are noteworthy both within a specific award category and across the competition's three categories:

  • Talent and workforce development
  • Innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-based economic development
  • Place development via public service, outreach, and community engagement

"It's an honor to be recognized for such a prestigious award that validates our commitment to our mission—supporting our state and making life better for Tennesseans," said Chancellor Donde Plowman. "I'm proud of our faculty and students for leading the way both in innovative research and creative collaboration that directly benefit the communities we serve."

UT was recognized for promoting innovation and regional development and addressing challenges facing the state. Through the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm, partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and industry have created 800 jobs, supporting startups and boosting the regional economy. The park's Spark Innovation Center has helped 50 companies create nearly 200 jobs and attract $138 million in investment.

University of Tennessee Named 2025 APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award Winner
Chancellor Donde Plowman accepts the 2025 Connections Award, the top prize in the Innovation and Economic Prosperity awards category, at the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Credit: University of Tennessee

Tackling community needs in Tennessee and beyond, faculty and students at UT designed and built a high-tech composite bridge to replace a structurally deficient one, and an engineering team created InnoCrate to introduce fibers and composites to K-12 students. Faculty and students from seven UT colleges have helped to advance the Tennessee RiverLine Initiative, a partnership led by UT Extension that empowers 58 cities and counties in four states to accelerate the region's $29 billion outdoor economy.

Awardees were recognized at the 2025 APLU annual meeting, held November 11 in Philadelphia.

"Congratulations to our 2025 IEP Award winners," said APLU President Waded Cruzado. "Public and land-grant universities are major drivers of innovation, workforce development, and community development, and we're delighted to recognize institutions that have made major contributions in these areas."

Learn more in UT's recent finalist announcement.

Provided by University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Citation: University of Tennessee Named 2025 APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award Winner (2025, November 12) retrieved 12 November 2025 from https://sciencex.com/wire-news/524409753/university-of-tennessee-named-2025-aplu-innovation-economic-pro.html
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