Business crowd likes what it sees as new UT prez is introduced at a packed downtown gathering

New UT President Dr. Joe DiPietro speaks at event Monday

New UT President Dr. Joe DiPietro speaks at event Monday

• “He said all the right things.”
• “He seems like a good guy. And he’s from UT!”
• “He doesn’t seem like a loose cannon!”

Those were some of the comments heard in the crowd of nearly 300 business people gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center Monday to welcome the new University of Tennessee president, Joe DiPietro.

The reception, sponsored by Pilot Flying J, First Tennessee, the News Sentinel and University of Tennessee Medical Center, was the first up-close-and-personal get-together for the combined “town” and “gown” crowds. It also was on DiPietro’s first working day as president.

“I’ll bring stability to this position,” DiPietro wisely pledged, to applause. He said his first priority is to get around to all the UT campuses across the state. He already has been to the Memphis campus four times, Martin twice and Chattanooga twice, he said.

The stability promise was a relief to local community leaders who have endured three tumultuous tenures of UT presidents over the past 10 years: J. Wade Gilley from 1999 to 2001; John Shumaker from 2002 to 2003; and John Petersen from 2004 to 2009. All came from outside the UT system. And all went down in flames.

DiPietro, who has been at UT since 2006, was chancellor of the UT Institute of Agriculture. He and his wife, Deborah, came here from the University of Florida where he was dean of veterinary medicine.

“I will be an advocate for all components of the University of Tennessee,” DiPietro said. “I intend to advance and help the university dream more, learn more, do more and be more.”

His concluding remark? “Go Vols!”

Alrighty then. So far, so good.

From left: sponsor Patrick Birmingham of the News Sentinel; sponsor Pam Fansler of First Tennessee; honorees Dr. Joe and Deb DiPietro; sponsor Joe Landsman of UT Medical Center; and Jim Haslam of Pilot Flying J

From left: sponsor Patrick Birmingham of the News Sentinel; sponsor Pam Fansler of First Tennessee; honorees Dr. Joe and Deb DiPietro; sponsor Joe Landsman of UT Medical Center; and Jim Haslam of Pilot Flying J

Moxley Carmichael was in charge of this event (thanks, sponsors!) and I always like to sneak in just before they start and see how the room looks. Here’s what I saw.

room-setup

It always looks so peaceful and pretty before the event starts!

Later, not so much!
Receiving line was out the door

Receiving line was out the door.

The noise level was amazing!

The noise level was amazing!

There were a lot of orange ties, including those of Dr. DiPietro and Alan Carmichael.

There were a lot of orange ties, including those of Dr. DiPietro and Alan Carmichael.

Donna Cobble greets Joe and Deb Pietro.

Donna Cobble greets Joe and Deb DiPietro.

Betsey Creekmore and U.S. Congressman John J. Duncan

Betsey Creekmore and U.S. Congressman John J. Duncan

John Craig, right, with Jon and Mintha Roach

John Craig, right, with Jon and Mintha Roach

It also was the first day on the job for Kevin Carver, left, DiPietro's new assistant. He's with Linda and Mike Davidson here.

It also was the first day on the job for Kevin Carver, left, DiPietro's new assistant. He's with Linda and Mike Davidson here.

Jim Haslam and Posey Congleton

Jim Haslam and Posey Congleton

State Rep. Ryan Haynes, left, and John Cantrell

State Rep. Ryan Haynes, left, and John Cantrell

Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen, left, and County Commissioner Richard Briggs

Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen, left, and County Commissioner Richard Briggs

Denise Harvey, left, and her parents Robert and Edwina Harvey

Denise Harvey, left, and her parents Robert and Edwina Harvey

From left, Keith Goodwin, Danni Varlan and Bruce Anderson

From left, Keith Goodwin, Danni Varlan and Bruce Anderson

Charlie Brakebill, left, with Liz and Wes Stowers

Charlie Brakebill, left, with Liz and Wes Stowers

City Councilman Dan Brown, left, and News Sentinel Editor Jack McElroy

City Councilman Dan Brown, left, and News Sentinel Editor Jack McElroy

Foster and Dottie Arnett

Foster and Dottie Arnett

Ely Fly, left, chats with Jack and Doris Sharp.

Eli Fly, left, chats with Jack and Doris Sharp.

Dr. DiPietro greets Barbara and Bernie Bernstein

Dr. DiPietro greets Barbara and Bernie Bernstein

From left, Theotis and Jonida Robinson, UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, and Hank Dye

From left, Theotis and Jonida Robinson, UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, and Hank Dye

UT President Emeritus Ed Boling and Mark Boling

UT President Emeritus Ed Boling and Mark Boling

Our florist for this event, Samuel Franklin, created these very unique centerpieces for each table. The base lights up.

Our florist for this event, Samuel Franklin, created these very unique centerpieces for each table. The base lights up.

The centerpieces were of differing heights to add interest. I love the treatment of the stems in this one.

The centerpieces were of differing heights to add interest. I love the treatment of the stems in this one.

The buffet tables were decorated with -- what else? -- oranges!

The buffet tables were decorated with -- what else? -- oranges!

One of the most popular food stations was the macaroni bar -- you pick the ingredients and the chef whips you up a plate!

One of the most popular food stations was the macaroni bar -- you pick the ingredients and the chef whips you up a plate!

These great Moxley Carmichael staffers handled the name tag table. From left, Tami Hartmann, Amy Foster, Amanda Shell, and Catherine Bodie

These great Moxley Carmichael staffers handled the name tag table. From left, Tami Hartmann, Amy Foster, Amanda Shell, and Catherine Bodie

OK. Back to photos of attendees!

State Rep. Bill Dunn, left, and President DiPietro. They seem to be getting along.

State Rep. Bill Dunn, left, and President DiPietro. They seem to be getting along.

Norman Majors, left, and Arthur Seymour

Norman Majors, left, and Arthur Seymour

Barbara and Bud Sherrod

Barbara and Bud Sherrod

Carolyn and Mike Moss

Carolyn and Mike Moss

Sandra and Monroe Trout

Sandra and Monroe Trout

Eleesa and Jerry Epps

Eleesa and Jerry Epps

From left, Mary Jinks, Margaret Dye and Katie Reagan

From left, Mary Jinks, Margaret Dye and Katie Reagan

Jerry and Ann Bodie

Jerry and Ann Bodie

From left, Vince Unfara, Katie High and Jim Roberto

From left, Vince Anfara, Katie High and Jim Roberto

Linden and Betty Gill

Linden and Betty Gill

Joe and Sharon Pryse

Joe and Sharon Pryse

Maestro Lucas Richman and Rachel Ford

Maestro Lucas Richman and Rachel Ford

Pat and former UT President Joe Johnson

Pat and former UT President Joe Johnson

Tom and Deanene Catani

Tom and Deanene Catani

John Gill and Margie Nichols

John Gill and Margie Nichols

Bill Lyons and City Councilman Joe Bailey

Bill Lyons and City Councilman Joe Bailey

From left, Joan Creasia, Margaret Dye, Ann and Dean Skadberg

From left, Joan Creasia, Margaret Dye, Ann and Dean Skadberg

Nancy and Leonard Hines

Nancy and Leonard Hines

I think this is more photos than I’ve ever put on a blog post. But if you’d like to see still more, click here to go to the Moxley Carmichael Flickr page.

Photo credit: Gary Heatherly, shooting for Moxley Carmichael, took all these pictures except the two blurry ones (Roddys, Jensens and Martins; and Goodwin, Varlan and Anderson), which I took.

Filed under: Art, Business, Downtown, Events, Historic preservation, Journalism, Knoxville, Media, Music, Politics, Public Relations, UT sports. Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Business crowd likes what it sees as new UT prez is introduced at a packed downtown gathering

  1. AlanCarmichael, on January 6th, 2011 at 5:31 pm said:

    Orange ties are a great fashion statement, you know.

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