The Tennessee Valley Authority has invested $3 million to endow the chair of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Department of Nuclear Engineering. The endowment will advance academic excellence, workforce development and faculty recruitment within the department, which is ranked No. 3 among universities nationwide, and will further solidify UT’s position as a leader in shaping the future of nuclear energy.




“This investment from Tennessee Valley Authority is a testament to both the strength of UT’s nuclear engineering program and the importance of the nuclear energy sector to our region,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “We are grateful to have an industry leader like TVA investing in our expertise and working alongside us to grow Tennessee’s talent pipeline, drive innovation and help build East Tennessee’s nuclear renaissance.”


The partnership between UT and TVA, the nation’s largest public power provider, reflects a shared vision for advancing clean energy solutions and strengthening East Tennessee’s role as a hub for nuclear innovation. It builds on UT’s long-standing commitment to advancing reactor technology, regulatory science and safety culture while preparing students through hands-on learning and cutting-edge research.