Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue
Headshot of Hannah Schmidt

Hannah Schmidt Receives Rising UT Woman Award at Honors Banquet

Students, faculty and staff at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, gathered this week to celebrate academic and professional honors during the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet and Academic Honors Banquet. The awards highlight individuals embodying the Volunteer spirit through extraordinary research and creative activity, impactful contributions to campus life and leadership and service to the university and beyond.

“Every year, we take the time to celebrate some of our exceptional students, faculty and staff—those who embody the Volunteer spirit,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “When we say ‘It Takes A Volunteer,’ what we mean is that it takes people like these exceptional Vols who are willing to step forward and use their talents to make a meaningful difference—in their academic fields, on our campus and throughout our community. I am so proud of each of them and their accomplishments.”

2023 Rising UT Woman Award

The Rising UT Woman Award recognizes a woman in the early stages of her professional path who has made great strides in her area and shows exceptional promise for future accomplishments.

Hannah Schmidt is a medieval art historian by training and a research development administrator by trade, working primarily with arts and humanities faculty. Before coming to UT, she worked for a Renaissance sculpture dealer, Scientific American, and an art logistics firm in New York City.

What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?

“I am not an artist or musician and my design skills are nonexistent, but I have the incredible honor of lifting up the faculty at UT who possess those skills in abundance. It’s humbling to be around so many people with such interesting ideas and awe-inspiring craft and scholarship. My job isn’t about me at all; it’s about the arts, humanities, and design faculty whose work is engaging, innovative, and generous of spirit.”

Read more about all of the students, faculty and staff who received awards at the Academic Honors Banquet and Chancellor’s Honors Banquet.