University of Tennessee alumni Dee and Jimmy Haslam have given the university $130 million, the largest gift in its history. Haslam Sports GroupThe University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been given $130 million by alumni Dee and Jimmy Haslam. It’s the largest gift in the history of the state’s land grant, flagship university. The bulk of the donation — $100 million — will be earmarked for the Haslam College of Business, the largest undergraduate college at the university, accounting for more than 30% of its total undergraduate enrollment. The gift will provide funding for student success initiatives, graduate student scholarships and an undergraduate honors program. A particular focus will be on strengthening the partnership between UT’s Division of Student Success and the Haslam College of Business so that students have the resources and support necessary to graduate and enter the workforce prepared.“At the Haslam College of Business, we focus on attracting and educating high-quality motivated students, recruiting faculty who are the leaders in their fields, and bringing them together in world-class programs and facilities. We expand horizons by supporting learning and building leadership capabilities,” said Dean Stephen L. Mangum, as part of the announcement. “Excellence attracts, and this investment will further enhance our ability to deliver on commitments to quality and relevance through research, learning and expanded opportunities."The remaining $30 million of the gift will be dedicated to recruiting leading faculty across several academic disciplines.“When I shared with Dee and Jimmy our vision to take UT to the next level, they immediately saw the possibilities in our aspirations,” said UT Chancellor Donde Plowman, in a news release. “I am grateful for their counsel, their vision and their generosity. This historic investment will help fuel our high standard of excellence and grow the impact our university has on the people and communities we serve across Tennessee and beyond.”About Dee and Jimmy HaslamThe Haslams are Knoxville natives, who both have a long history with the University of Tennessee. Dee Haslam earned a degree in education from UT in 1986. An Emmy Award-winning TV producer, she was the CEO of RIVR Media Companies until 2018 and is currently an executive producer with RIVR Media.MORE FOR YOUAfter attending UT, Jimmy Haslam began his career at Pilot Corporation, which was founded by his father, James Arthur Haslam II, in 1958. Jimmy was named CEO in 1996, serving in that role until 2o20 and as chairman of its board from 2020 to 2023. Over his tenure, he helped grow Pilot into the largest travel center company in the United States; it was sold to Berkshire Hathaway in 2024. Currently, Jimmy Haslam is executive chairman of Gate City Energy. Forbes pegs his net worth at $10.3 billion.Dee and Jimmy Haslam serve as managing partners and CEO and chairman, respectively, of the Haslam Sports Group. They own the Cleveland Browns football team, and also have a controlling interest in both the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer and the Milwaukee Bucks NBA franchise. Over the years, the Haslams have provided generous support to multiple areas of the University of Tennessee, including its intercollegiate athletics program, student scholarships, and many individual colleges and programs. In 2014, they, along with several other members of the Haslam family, including Bill Haslam, Jimmy’s brother and the Governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019, made a $50 million gift to UT’s business school, making it the university’s first named college. That donation was followed by a $40 million gift from the family to benefit the college in 2020.In a joint statement, the Haslams said they “were honored to make this investment in UT and the Haslam College of Business," adding that “the university is experiencing extraordinary momentum, and we are proud to help elevate its national reputation, attract world-class faculty and support the next generation of leaders — all while keeping the best and brightest here in Tennessee.”The Haslams have been major donors to several philanthropic causes in and around Cleveland and Knoxville, with an emphasis on education and youth sports. With this latest commitment, their lifetime giving to the University of Tennessee now totals more than $195 million, according to the university’s press release.