Editor’s Note: Ms. Sara Dunagan Sowell died after this story was written. Her legacy of support for UT Martin is noted on the In Memory page.

Four awards were presented at the annual alumni banquet during homecoming at UT Martin to people who had varied associations with the university but shared similar ideas about the impact the institution had on their lives.

Buddy Mitchell, Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient; Bill Rhodes, Outstanding Young Alumnus Award recipient; and Bettye Giles, Chancellor’s Award for University Service recipient, accepted their awards from Dr. Nick Dunagan, UT Martin chancellor, and Dr. John Petersen, University of Tennessee president. Nancy Biggs accepted a Chancellor’s Service Award on behalf of her mother, Sara Dunagan Sowell, who could not attend the ceremony.

Accepting his award, Rhodes, of Memphis, AutoZone president and CEO, said he was recruited to play golf at UT Martin by coach Grover Page. “It’s a great honor for me to be here tonight,” said Rhodes. “The education that I received at this university was incredible. I am so proud of that education.” Rhodes thanked Page and others at the university “for what they have done for me and my family.” He added, “This university plays such an important role. It’s up to us as alumni to help get that message out.”

Mitchell, of Knoxville, UT Institute for Agriculture associate vice president for agricultural development and government relations, said, “I can’t imagine this campus did more for anyone more than me.” He cited Dr. Bob Duck, professor emeritus of agronomy, as having a “profound influence” on him. “Four years here changed my life dramatically. That cherished college education is more important in today’s knowledge-based, technology-based life.” He urged other alumni present to “support this very special place. It’s building an outstanding workforce.”

Biggs, of Greenfield, said UT Martin always had a presence in the lives of her parents, Sara and Horace Dunagan, brother, Nick, sister, Anita, and her life. On trips from their home in Caruthersville, Mo., to Jackson, they would always drive through Martin to see places her parents lived and frequented when he was a student after WWII. “All three of us chose UT Martin. I think parents are the best college recruiters.”

Sara Dunagan funded the Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking to honor her late husband’s 38-year banking career. She established two University Scholars endowments, donated to the new Agricultural Teaching Complex and established three charitable trusts, one for each of her children, that will benefit academic programs, among other contributions.

That legacy of choosing UT Martin led a total of 30 of her family members to graduate from the university.

Giles, of Martin, a retired physical education professor and director of women’s athletics, recounted moments from a career at UT Martin that spanned 42 years. Twelve years later, she is still going to an office on campus to work on various projects—giving her a total of 54 years of association with the institution.

“I have enjoyed every minute of it,” she said. “I don’t remember dreading to go to work.” Noting it wasn’t all “peaches” and that there were some challenges, she added, “somehow those challenges inspired me. I’ve enjoyed what everybody (recipients) has said about UT Martin. It certainly is an honor and I appreciate it so much.”