The University of Tennessee’s leading turfgrass management research and teaching program has announced they will expand their faculty due to the generous support of one of its prime cooperators.
The UT Athletic Department has committed to fund a new faculty member in the turfgrass research and teaching program of the UT Department of Plant Sciences. The
UT Athletic Department will donate a total of $535,000 over 5 fiscal years to support the new research and teaching position within the program.
“The Athletic Department has long cooperated with our faculty providing opportunities for research, teaching and consulting with their various sports fields. We think this is a wonderful extension of that partnership and are very appreciative of their support,” said Dr. Joseph DiPietro, UT Vice President for Agriculture, which houses the Department of Plant Sciences.
“We have had a long and great relationship with the Institute of Agriculture,” said UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton. “Our relationship has allowed turfgrass management students real laboratories for learning, and we have utilized their faculty’s immense expertise in our facilities.” Hamilton called the new collaboration to expand the turfgrass program a “winning proposition for everyone.”
Turfgrass management pervades society—from private golf courses to public soccer fields and international sports venues like the Olympics. The turfgrass science research program at UT is geared toward useful and practical issues that impact the turfgrass industry, including field integrity which can affect safety. Research areas include golf turf, sports turf, sod production, home and commercial lawns, and turf breeding. Students who study turfgrass science have an opportunity to literally study in the field at some of the world’s finest facilities, including professional baseball, football stadiums and PGA championship golf courses.