In an act of philanthropic generosity, Peyton Manning donated over $4 million to the University of Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information. The donation will be used to create two new university endowments — the Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment and the John Haas Director’s Chair Endowment — named after two key figures in Manning’s education during his time at the University of Tennessee.
Manning’s goal with the donation was for it to go directly to CCI students. The money will be used for funding student networking trips and study abroad groups in places like Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Georgia and Ireland. Having greater financial means allows the university to give students more time and opportunities during these experiences.
As Dean of the CCI, Joe Mazer worked with Manning to navigate the logistics of the donation and the formulation of the endowments.
“Peyton expressed an interest in supporting the College of Communication and Information as he has done in the past,” Mazer said. “He was interested in honoring his two longtime academic mentors.”
But to many other university staff and students, the donation came as a surprise. Even John Haas, one of the endowment’s eponyms, was unaware of the NFL star’s plans.
“I didn’t know that was coming,” Haas said.
Haas, now an associate professor in the CCI, has contributed to the college over the years through his long-lasting leadership and service.
“His leadership in the school has just been transformative,” Mazer said.
Haas was director of the School of Communication Studies while Manning was pursuing his education in Knoxville. Additionally, Haas served as Manning’s academic advisor and one of his professors. This mentor-mentee interaction fostered a close relationship between the two.
“Peyton came into the office, and he had a legal pad, single-spaced, with a list of questions,” Haas said. “A lot of times when a student goes to an advising session they’re waiting to be told ‘This is what you need to take.’ That was not Peyton.”
Manning’s intense focus on his goals led to his success as a student, player and friend. Haas would join Manning at events and awards ceremonies, both athletic and academic. They continued to stay in touch after Manning’s graduation in 1997, exchanging letters and visits. The close friendship they maintained was one reason Manning was inspired to continuously give back to his alma mater.
The other portion of the donation went to the Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment. Faye Julian was the first recipient of a doctorate from the College of Communications in 1977. She served as head of the Department of Speech Communication and was later appointed the first dean of the College of Communication and Information in 2002.
“Faye Julian wanted what was best for the College of Communication and Information, and her leadership reflected that,” Mazer said.
Haas, too, spoke to Julian’s impact on the CCI as someone who worked alongside her for years.
“I would describe her as a force of nature,” Haas said. “She had more energy than any three people I think I’ve ever met, and she thought the world of Peyton.”
This multimillion dollar donation is not the first good deed Manning has done for the university. In 2018, Manning donated $1 million to establish the John Haas Student Experiential Learning Endowment. He has also helped fund the education of 65 UTK students through the Peyton Manning Scholarship since its foundation in 1998. This week, Manning joined in celebrating the renaming of gate 21B in Neyland Stadium to honor 50-year staff member Danny Burnley.
“He is a tremendous ambassador for the institution who gives up his time, his talent and his gifts, and he shares that with the world,” Mazer said. “It’s just so exciting to be able to partner with him in this way to push the College of Communication and Information forward.”
