We are proud to announce that plant sciences major David Brinkley Mull Jr. has won the premier
scholarship in the turfgrass management field. Herbert’s program in sports turf and turfgrass in general is internationally recognized, yet Brinkley is the first student at the University of Tennessee to achieve the Mendenhall Scholarship from the Golf Course Superintendents Association. One element of his selection was the hands-on experiences that have polished his skills. These include everything from the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club to the athletic fields at UT.

Vols offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy plays on the sports turf that Brinkley optimizes. Brandon is a master’s student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. His achievements in athletics, in his studies, and in leadership have resulted in him being a semi-finalist for an award often called the academic Heisman. The Campbell Trophy, presented by Mazda, recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.

Three students in the master of landscape architecture program have received national honors from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Dustin Toothman, Wes Lamberson and Whitney Brothers received an ASLA Student Honor Award for their work on the Tennessee RiverLine. The master’s program is offered jointly through Herbert and the UT Knoxville College of Architecture and Design.

As Tim Cross, senior vice president and senior vice chancellor of UTIA, notes, national student awards like these provide evidence of the quality of both our students and the faculty and staff who teach and support them.