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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In a sunny afternoon ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the main thoroughfare on the Agricultural Campus in Knoxville, Center Drive, was officially renamed Joe Johnson Drive in honor of UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson.

Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe presided at the ceremony, which included members of the Knoxville City Council, Knoxville’s vice mayor, county commissioners, Tennessee State Senators Ben Atchley and Tim Burchett and several past and current UT trustees along with a crowd of alumni, employees and supporters.

“I think the words trust and respect come to mind immediately when you think of Joe Johnson and his tenure at the university,” Ashe said, and he shared memories of his experiences with Johnson over the years at the university and in public service commissions.

As he prepared to unveil the sign bearing his name, Johnson told well wishers, “This means a lot to me because (the drive) is an integral part of the Institute of Agriculture.”

During his nine-year tenure as university president, Johnson himself was integral to the university’s agriculture and natural resources programs, and his legacy of support is commemorated in the name of one of the institute’s most advanced research facilities, the Joseph E. Johnson Animal Research and Teaching Unit.

In his brief remarks, Johnson thanked supporters and mentioned his friendship with the late Don Williams, former professor of horticulture and landscape design, who was a passionate advocate for the design and appearance of the agricultural campus.

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Contact: Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141