A number of extraordinary benefactors are investing in tomorrow, today. The impact of their philanthropy will change lives and the quality of life in this region for generations to come. These individuals are leading by example, and their inspirational stories provide an incentive for us all to do what we can, while we can, to make a difference in the lives of others.

UT Martin is vitally connected to the economic growth and development of this region; but even those outside of our immediate area are interested and engaged in making the world a better place by helping our students succeed.

One way to broaden the horizons of West Tennessee students is to open up a virtual “window to the world” through travel opportunities, study abroad and scholarships. The following people are building bridges to the future and helping to ensure a better life for countless students whom they may never know or even meet.

Lew and Mary Jo Dougherty

John and Delores Sorey

Charles and Bettye Moore

Lew and Mary Jo Dougherty have provided a $3.87 million bequest to establish the UT Martin Lew and Mary Jo Dougherty University Scholars Endowment.

Income from the Dougherty estate and a recent $100,000 Charitable Remainter Trust one day will be used to provide scholarships for the University Scholars, the most selective and prestigious scholarships offered at UT Martin. Their bequest also will create a Scholars Travel Fund to provide an opportunity for each scholar, during his or her junior year, to study abroad. Not only will this offer a life-changing experience for the individual student, but it also will make it possible, upon returning to the campus for their senior year, for these students to share personal experiences and motivate other scholars to travel and study abroad.

Both Lew and Mary Jo are avid international travelers and UT graduates. The Doughertys contend that “travel has not only given us great opportunities to understand and appreciate other cultures, but it also has deepened our appreciation for the United States and home.” Lew is a retired dentist and a commander in the United States Navy (retired). He served as the UT National Alumni Association president, the National chair for Annual Giving and as chair of the UT Martin Development Committee on two occasions.

Mary Jo has served as chair of the UTNAA Women’s Council and as a member of the UTNAA Board of Governor’s Executive Committee. She was a longtime member of the UT Martin Arts Council Board and is a charter member of the UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists. The Doughertys are Honorary University Scholars and received the UT Knoxville Chancellor’s Citation for Extraordinary Service to the University in 1987, as well as the UT Martin Chancellor’s Award for University Service in 2004. It was the first time that either of these awards had been made to a couple.

John and Delores Sorey provided $3.25 million to establish The John and Delores Sorey LEAD Endowment. John and Delores Sorey currently have committed $50,000 to fund annual travel awards for students in the LEAD Academy and have designated a planned and deferred gift to further endow this comprehensive undergraduate leadership development experience.

John Sorey earned his master’s degree in business administration from UT Nashville and also attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He is a past chair of the UT Development Council and the UT Martin Development Committee. John served in the U.S. Army as a highly decorated infantry first lieutenant during Vietnam. He and his wife, Delores, have two children, John F. Sorey IV and Scarlett S. Ferguson.

John has an extensive management background, owning and consulting with more than 100 companies, and currently is president/owner of Management Support Systems, Inc., in Naples, Fla. While he was president of Spectrum Acquisitions, Inc. in Selmer, he also established a scholarship fund for McNairy County students to attend the UT Martin McNairy County Center/Selmer. Recently, he was elected to the Naples City Council and served as chair of the Naples Planning Advisory Board. Delores Sorey was president and is still very active with the Naples Art Association, has served on a number of non-profit boards and currently serves as board member of the United Arts Council.

Sorey is a firm believer in leadership development. “Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is a product of learning and developing certain traits and is amplified by experiences.” The LEAD Academy makes those experiences and opportunities available, and with the Soreys’ commitment, will continue to produce future generations of world-class leaders.

Charles and Bettye Moore provided $5.6 million to establish the Charles and Bettye Moore Scholarship Endowment for UT Knoxville and UT Martin students. Charles and Bettye Moore were born and reared in the Northwest Tennessee community of Sharon. They attended high school together and early on established a good-natured competition for top grades and honors. Charles attended UT Martin and earned his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of

Tennessee, Knoxville. Both Bettye and Charles are motorcycle enthusiasts and international travelers. They have been known to jump on their Harleys for a cross-country ride or head off on an African safari when they aren’t doing volunteer work for the University of Tennessee. Charles serves on the UT Development Council, and Bettye is a member of the UT Martin Development Committee.     

Charles and Bettye are both now retired after careers with Boeing, where Charles was a senior specialist with the Apollo Programs and Bettye was the administrative aid for senior management at a number of Boeing locations and at corporate headquarters. Charles also served as vice president of corporate engineering at Ethyl/Albemarle and as executive vice president/chief operating officer with Stone and Webster.  

Although they now live in Baton Rouge, La., they have a strong desire to help students from the Sharon and Sidonia area, especially those with financial need and academic merit, to attend the UT campus of their choice. They have established a current scholarship endowment and made provisions in their estate plans to continue to assist West Tennessee students for generations to come. “We’ve had exciting careers and enjoyed opportunities that would not have been possible without an education such as that provided by UT. We’re happy to support UT and share our good fortune with deserving young people from our area, with the goal of providing them with an education that will, in turn, lead to exciting careers and unlimited opportunities.”

These alumni, friends and benefactors are busy planting seeds that will bear fruit for years to come...and their unselfish commitment is a gift and an example worth celebrating!