UT Promise Endowment gets $1.2M gift from law firm

NASHVILLE — The University of Tennessee System’s UT Promise program has received a $1.2 million gift made in the name of Chattanoogabased law firm Summers, Rufolo & Rodgers to assist the program that guarantees free, last-dollar tuition and mandatory-fee aid for qualifying students attending five undergraduate institutions.

The gift is targeted specifically to help graduates from a dozen public high schools in Hamilton County.

Established by UT President Randy Boyd in 2019 while Boyd was interim president of the system, the UT Promise is designed to help students whose family income is under $60,000. It is used to fill in any gaps left by other forms of financial aid.

Speaking on behalf of Summers, Rufolo & Rodgers, firm member Jimmy Rodgers, who earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and his law degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, said the gift is in line with the law firm’s values.

“Working families have relied on our firm to protect their interests and their lives since 1969, and we hope that this gift continues that work by creating pathways for students to find their future through UT,” Rodgers said in a UT news release. “This is our way of giving back to the community.”

The gift will benefit graduates of the following schools: Soddy Daisy High, Red Bank High, The Howard School, Tyner Academy, Central High, Lookout Valley High, East Ridge High, Sale Creek High, Ooltewah High, Brainerd High, East Hamilton High and Hixson High.

The Summers law firm is comprised of five attorneys and serves clients in practice areas including personal injury, criminal defense, workers’ compensation, labor law and product liability. Four of them attended UT System universities.

UT Promise is designed to help qualified students enrolling at University of Tennessee campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin and Pulaski. Students must qualify for the Hope Scholarship and meet the academic qualifications for the institution to be eligible for the program.