UT council names Elams Philanthropists of the Year

Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 9:03 pm

The late Tom and Kathleen Elam of Union City were recently honored with the Philanthropists of the Year Award, presented posthumously at the University of Tennessee All-Stars Development Council awards dinner in Knoxville.
The award is presented to a donor who has made a significant gift or gifts to the University of Tennessee. It recognizes the profound impact a donor can have on the university and the lives of its students.
Tom Elam was appointed to the UT Board of Trustees in 1956. He identified so closely with UT and its board that in 1996, when his term was about to expire, the Tennessee General Assembly extended it to 2020, with the provision that should the seat become vacant, it would not be filled. He remained the senior member of the UT Board of Trustees until his death in 1998.
He served 42 years on the Board of Trustees and even longer on the Tennessee Athletics Board.
In his hometown of Union City, Elam was a respected attorney and businessman.
The Elams supported many academic and athletic programs during their lifetimes. A $1 million contribution to UT Martin in 1996 coincided with the university’s naming of the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center in the couple’s honor. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Elam continued her support to the university by gifting nearly $1.9 million.
The UT Martin Skhawk football program received more than $1.7 million of Mrs. Elam’s gifts. This included a $560,000 challenge gift to launch a private campaign to build the Bob Carroll Football Building located in the south end zone of Hardy M. Graham Stadium. The multipurpose room in the Bob Carroll Football Building was named the Kathleen H. Elam Room in her honor.
In addition to these gifts, Mrs. Elam, who died in April, bequeathed most of her estate to UT Martin, UT Knoxville and UT Health Science Center. The bequest is the largest gift in UT Martin’s history.
Published in The Messenger 10.14.09

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