{"id":7,"date":"2019-10-22T15:14:35","date_gmt":"2019-10-22T15:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/dept\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:52:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:52:09","slug":"department-of-utia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Outstanding in Their Field"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The people who make up the UT Institute of Agriculture are the driving force behind the Real. Life. Solutions. we create and deliver. Learn more about some of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni whose work sets them apart.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_3a6b29-ac .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_3a6b29-ac content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1621 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agricultural-and-resource-economics category-faculty category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/jonathan-walton\/\" aria-label=\"Jonathan Walton\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Walton-headshot-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Jonathan Walton in front of Morgan Hall\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Walton-headshot-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Walton-headshot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Walton-headshot-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Walton-headshot.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/jonathan-walton\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Jonathan Walton<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Distinguished lecturer in UT Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics connects classroom learning with real-world farming experience<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1536 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agresearch category-animal-science category-extension category-faculty category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/liz-eckelkamp\/\" aria-label=\"Liz Eckelkamp\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/10\/Eckelkamp-headshot-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Liz Eckelkamp in a dairy barn\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/10\/Eckelkamp-headshot-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/10\/Eckelkamp-headshot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/10\/Eckelkamp-headshot-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/10\/Eckelkamp-headshot.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/liz-eckelkamp\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Liz Eckelkamp<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Dairy Extension Specialist supports producers through research, outreach and innovation<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1497 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-biomedical-and-diagnostic-sciences category-faculty category-ut-college-of-veterinary-medicine category-veterinary-medical-center\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/sherry-cox\/\" aria-label=\"Sherry Cox\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/09\/Cox-headshot-in-lab-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sherry Cox\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/09\/Cox-headshot-in-lab-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/09\/Cox-headshot-in-lab-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/09\/Cox-headshot-in-lab-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/09\/Cox-headshot-in-lab.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/sherry-cox\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Sherry Cox<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Clinical professor at UTCVM leads one of the nation\u2019s top veterinary pharmacology labs, advancing animal care through research and mentorship<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_9b8d93531da4e5e346d3925f2111ef43 class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/faculty-spotlights\/\">More Faculty Spotlights<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_3efc1a-a2 .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_3efc1a-a2 content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1791 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-plant-sciences category-plateau-agresearch-and-education-center category-staff category-ut-gardens category-ut-gardens-crossville\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/shalena-durkot\/\" aria-label=\"Shalena Durkot\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/Cumberland_Plateau_AgREC_2467-768x433.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Portrait of Shalena Durkot smiling in a green garden setting, She is wearing sunglasses and is holding garden shears.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/Cumberland_Plateau_AgREC_2467-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/Cumberland_Plateau_AgREC_2467-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/Cumberland_Plateau_AgREC_2467-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/Cumberland_Plateau_AgREC_2467.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/shalena-durkot\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Shalena Durkot<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>UT Gardens, Crossville, coordinator leads with passion for plants and people<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1631 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-4-h-youth-development category-extension category-staff\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/sarah-keenan\/\" aria-label=\"Sarah Keenan\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Keenan-headshot-768x522.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Sarah Keenan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Keenan-headshot-768x522.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Keenan-headshot-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Keenan-headshot-1024x696.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Keenan-headshot.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/sarah-keenan\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Sarah Keenan<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>UT Extension Maury County\u00a04-H Youth Development\u00a0agent guides youth toward lifelong skills and success<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1572 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-staff\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/cassie-johnson\/\" aria-label=\"Cassie Johnson\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/11\/Johnson-headshot-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Cassie Johnson in front of Morgan Hall\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/11\/Johnson-headshot-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/11\/Johnson-headshot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/11\/Johnson-headshot-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/11\/Johnson-headshot.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/cassie-johnson\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Cassie Johnson<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Director of Enrollment Services champions access to higher education and meaningful student experiences at Herbert<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_96093644820d57f1902ab6859262d77a class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/staff-spotlights\/\">More Staff Spotlights<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Students<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_efdba9-d5 .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_efdba9-d5 content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1914 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agresearch category-animal-science category-east-tennessee-agresearch-and-education-center category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-student\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/mason-dunlap\/\" aria-label=\"Mason Dunlap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Portrait of Mason Dunlap standing in a barn with rows of dairy cows visible on either side.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/mason-dunlap\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Mason Dunlap<\/a><\/h2>\t<div class=\"entry-meta entry-meta-divider-dot\">\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Animal science senior pursues a lifelong passion for veterinary medicine through hands-on learning and global service experiences<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1803 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-student category-ut-college-of-veterinary-medicine category-veterinary-medical-center\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/katherine-lopez\/\" aria-label=\"Katherine L\u00f3pez\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-768x461.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Katherine Lopez stands outside of a building labeled &quot;College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.&quot;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/katherine-lopez\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Katherine L\u00f3pez<\/a><\/h2>\t<div class=\"entry-meta entry-meta-divider-dot\">\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Future veterinarian overcomes adversity to pursue her passion for animal welfare at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1676 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-plant-sciences category-student\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/jacob-friedrich\/\" aria-label=\"Jacob Friedrich\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Friedrich-with-plants-768x520.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Jacob Friedrich standing behind plants in a greenhouse\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Friedrich-with-plants-768x520.png 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Friedrich-with-plants-300x203.png 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Friedrich-with-plants-1024x694.png 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Friedrich-with-plants.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/jacob-friedrich\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Jacob Friedrich<\/a><\/h2>\t<div class=\"entry-meta entry-meta-divider-dot\">\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Plant sciences graduate student investigates controlled environment solutions to improve global food security<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_e65d439a4d38c8356ae17ebc3f89a7ef class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/student-spolights\/\">More Student Spotlights<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alumni<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_9c88d5-f8 .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_9c88d5-f8 content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1729 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-food-science category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/rachel-smith\/\" aria-label=\"Rachel Smith\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Rachel Smith\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/rachel-smith\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Rachel Smith<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Food science alumna (BS \u201816) drives product innovation and flavor development at Newly Weds Foods<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1641 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-school-of-natural-resources\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/jason-maxedon\/\" aria-label=\"Jason Maxedon\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Maxedon-headshot-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Jason Maxedon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Maxedon-headshot-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Maxedon-headshot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Maxedon-headshot-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Maxedon-headshot.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/jason-maxedon\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Jason Maxedon<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Forestry alumnus (\u201900) leads statewide wildlife conservation and management at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1591 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-plant-sciences\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/luke-bennett\/\" aria-label=\"Luke Bennett\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Bennett-headshot-768x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Luke Bennett\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Bennett-headshot-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Bennett-headshot-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Bennett-headshot-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2025\/12\/Bennett-headshot.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/luke-bennett\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Luke Bennett<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Plant sciences alumnus (\u201923) cultivates championship-level turf at Seminole Golf Club<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_3dc427a273fb68f673cd7d3bee313de1 class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/alumni-spotlights\/\">More Alumni Spotlights<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The people who make up the UT Institute of Agriculture are the driving force behind the Real. Life. Solutions. we create and deliver. Learn more about some of our faculty,\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":195,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}