‘Incredible school; one of the best in state:’ Boyd at FHS
Farragut High School was paid a visit Tuesday, Oct. 15, from University of Tennessee system president Randy Boyd on his “Find Your UT” tour, an initiative designed to educate students about the opportunities within the UT system and encourage them to consider staying within the state to attend one of Tennessee’s five college campuses.
Before departing the library at FHS, Boyd said of the school, “Farragut High School has a 93-percent college going rate. Of the students that go, over 60 percent graduate within six years. Farragut is an incredible school — one of the best in our state for preparing students for college, and I just appreciate the leadership here at the high school.”
In a release issued prior to his visit, Boyd said, “We understand that every student’s journey is different. Our goal is to meet students where they are and help them get to where they want to go.
“No matter what you’re looking for in a college experience,” he continued, “the UT System provides an environment for every kind of student, a location for every Tennessee resident and an education for every mind.”
Boyd, joined by Matt Matthews, associate vice president for academic affairs in the UT System, spoke to the attending junior and senior Admirals about the ease of applying, particularly noting UT Promise is a scholarship “which ensures free tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Tennessee residents,” according to a release issued after the visit.
“We’re here,” Matthews said, “to help you find the right UT for your future. With the Common App, applying to any UT campus is easier than ever, and UT Promise is our promise to make college affordable for Tennessee students
“Plus,” he added, “many of you may qualify for guaranteed admission, allowing you to skip the line and go straight to the next class of UT students.”
Boyd will continue his cross-state tour to speak with students about all that’s offered at the different campuses and about how they differ in focus. The campuses are as follows: UT Knoxville; UT Chattanooga; UT Southern in Pulaski; UT Martin; and UT Health Science Center in Memphis.
Dr. John Bartlett, FHS principal, said afterward, “I think it’s awesome that president Boyd was here today to talk about the various UT campuses because every one of our kids thinks UT, and they think Knoxville, which, of course, is the flagship campus, but there are other options for all our kids.
“I want our kids recruited like college athletes are, right?” he added. “We’ve got some of the best and brightest kids in the state and in the nation right here in Farragut, and it’s important we keep them home as much as possible because kids will stay here. If they graduate from college here, then they’ll stay here, and start businesses here.
“It’s about making sure our most talented students and brightest students stay in state, so the state reaps the benefit long term.”
Visit FindYourUT.com to discover more about each of the campuses in the UT system or obtain more academic program, scholarships and financial aid information.
