UT Southern homecoming hall of fame and distinguished alumni dinner
PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) will host an evening of celebration to recognize outstanding members of the UT Southern community and honor the achievements, leadership and lasting impact of alumni and the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Class.
The award dinner will take place Friday, Oct. 23, at Pulaski Mule Co Event Center (114 E. Jefferson St.). A reception will run from 5-6 p.m., with dinner and awards to follow beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person, with 100% of profits going to UT Southern’s alumni programs.
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have achieved excellence in their profession, demonstrated outstanding leadership and service, or made a meaningful impact in their communities while exemplifying the values of UT Southern.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are:
- Sarah D. Suddarth, UT Southern ‘07
- Stanton Belford, Ph.D., UT Southern ‘00
- Charles D. Haney, Ph.D., UT Southern ‘74, UT Knoxville ‘75, UT Health Sciences ‘79
Recognized by the UT Southern Alumni Board for their extraordinary service to UT Southern and the greater Giles County community, three recipients were recognized for the Alumni Service Award.
The Alumni Service Award recipients are:
- Sharon Harwell, UT Southern ‘78
- Brenda Speer, UT Knoxville ‘78
- Carol Wade, UT Southern ’06
“We’re excited to welcome these distinguished alumni back to campus and recognize their accomplishments,” said Kyle Hensley, vice chancellor of advancement. “These alumni have had a positive impact on their communities and we are proud to have them as part of the UT Southern Alumni family.”
The 2026 UT Southern Athletic Hall of Fame Class honors an outstanding group of former student–athletes, coaches, teams and national championship teams whose accomplishments helped shape the proud tradition of Martin Methodist and UT Southern athletics, elevating the institution’s tradition of excellence.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class includes:
- James Justice, men’s basketball, UT Southern ‘12
- 2016 Clay Target team
- Travis Garcia, baseball, UT Southern ‘11
- Karen Hargrove, softball, UT Southern ‘06
- Millene Cabral, women’s soccer, UT Southern ‘19
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, UT Southern Athletics will honor the memory of former softball student-athlete Sydney Watson, UT Southern ‘19, whose legacy of service, courage and sacrifice continues to inspire the Firehawk family.
“There is a renewed energy across our athletic department right now, and what better way to celebrate our future than by honoring the foundation of our past,” said Brandie Paul, vice chancellor and director of athletics. “The return of the Hall of Fame represents a major milestone for UT Southern. It gives our alumni a reason to come home, gives our fans a chance to celebrate the greats, and shows our current student-athletes the height of what is possible in a Firehawk uniform.”
Registration deadline for the event is Sep. 30, with more information here.
About the University of Tennessee Southern
The University of Tennessee Southern provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, UT Southern offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.