The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has 668 clubs and organizations to help students find a home team in an ever-growing institution. Enrollment at the Knoxville campus was 40,421 in fall 2025 and was expected to top 41,000 this fall. It’s easy to get lost in a crowd that size.
But if your student can’t find a club or organization to affiliate with in the list of 668, then I’m betting UT would consider starting one. After all, what’s another club or 1,000 students?
Exciting stats, enrollment profiles and trends for UT Knoxville are here.
West High School National Merit Commended students are: Colton Pruitt, Zoe Hasan, Caroline Wanamaker, Elle Etheridge and Connor Mackley. (Photo from social media)
Clothing and Resource Center supports students
The KCS Clothing and Resource Center is helping make sure students have the essentials they need to feel comfortable and ready for school! From shoes and school clothes to backpacks and hygiene items, the center provides resources to more than 2,000 students each year who have a verified financial need.
Now part of the Whole Child and Family Support Department, the center is powered by donations from KCS staff, community members and local organizations. Two full-time staff members manage the center with help from volunteers who sort clothing, organize supplies and prepare items for children.
Students can receive clothing, shoes, coats, backpacks, underwear, socks and hygiene products, and every piece of clothing is washed and inspected before it reaches a student.
“We want kids to be proud of what they are wearing into school,” said Heather Willis, director of Whole Child.
School social workers connect families with the center, placing orders and coordinating discreet deliveries through school mail or directly to students.
The center has also expanded beyond clothing, offering resources for young children and adults, including emergency supplies for families recovering from house fires and other unexpected events.
“When you have donations, think of the Knox County Schools Clothing and Resource Center!” Willis said. Learn more about donating or volunteering here.
In Memoriam
John Panella
John Anthony Panella Ph.D. died on September 29, 2026, at age 94. After a career in sales and engineering, John returned to school at age 40. He completed a doctorate at the University of Tennessee in 1977 in clinical psychology and became head of the Counseling Center and associate professor at Carson Newman University until retirement. Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, October 12, at Fielden Funeral Home in New Market, Tennessee. The obituary is here.
Thomas Ungs
Thomas D. Ungs Ph.D. died on September 24, 2026, at age 97. Dr. Ungs retired from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he served as professor and department chair of political science, a job he acquired in 1971. A native of Dyersville, Iowa, he was one of 10 children. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees, and doctorate in political science at the University of Iowa, where he met his wife, Theresa, and started their family. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Knoxville with a brief reception following. Full obituary is here.
Notes & Quotes
Pellissippi State will offer its free Young Creative Writer’s Workshop on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the PSCC Strawberry Plains campus. Door prizes are given away during lunch (also free). Author Doug Van Gundy will give the keynote address. Info here. Register here.
Shannondale Elementary School in Fountain City will host a Fall Festival and Holiday Market on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. Vendor spots are available: $35 for adults; $15 for students. Info: 865-689-1465 or 865-689-1466.
LMU Law School third-year students who were accepted as members of the Hamilton Burnett chapter of the American Inns of Court – a professional organization of law students, attorneys and judges, are: Keaundra Allen, Olivia Brown, Lora Smith, Kaden Tackett, Naimad Delgado, Samantha Sharp, Josh Brown, Erica Glover, Grayson Breedlove and Carlee Sullins.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Schools archive. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get daily articles in one place with our free newsletter. Send comments to news@knoxtntoday.com/.
