In honor of Tim Cross’ 27 years of service to the University of Tennessee, the UT Institute of Agriculture has established the Tim L. Cross Permanent Quasi-Endowment Fund.
Cross announced his retirement effective August 31, 2021. He has held his current position of leadership since 2016 and prior to that served in a variety of roles at UTIA including assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and dean of UT Extension.
“Cross’ humble and strong leadership, his creative vision and his fierce loyalty are proven attributes he has exemplified during his tenure,” says Keith Barber, vice chancellor of the Office of Institutional Advancement.
The fund in his honor will be available to benefit the UT Institute of Agriculture at the discretion of future UTIA Senior Vice Presidents/Senior Vice Chancellors.
During his tenure, the Herbert College of Agriculture became the first agricultural college at a land-grant university to be named through a philanthropic gift. In addition, the Together We Grow philanthropic campaign surpassed its $200 million goal two years early and included grant awards of more than $75 million in 2020. Overseas travel and global engagement for both faculty and students increased during Cross’ leadership through the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture. And two campus additions, the Energy and Environmental Science Research Building and the Teaching and Learning Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine, are underway and scheduled to be complete by 2024.
Cross is also lauded for careful direction through the COVID-19 pandemic. His open communication through weekly and monthly fireside chats kept the UTIA family connected and up-to-date, facilitating the Institute’s ability to not only function remotely but continue to be a valued resource to the University, the Tennessee community and beyond. During the pandemic, the Institute had an estimated 3.5 million education outreach contacts and 19 million digital contacts, while the UT College of Veterinary Medicine treated approximately 34,000 animals through its Veterinary Medical Center.
Donations to the Cross Fund will directly benefit future impacts of the Institute. Gifts may be made online or by contacting the Office of Institutional Advancement directly at 865-974-5779.