Lynne Parker Named 2025 Dougherty Award Winner
From a young age, Knoxville native Lynne Parker (MS/CS, ’88) saw firsthand how much of an impact the University of Tennessee could have on students, families, the state, the nation, and the world.
Parker’s father graduated from UT with a degree in engineering and her mother with a degree in home economics. Parker obtained her master’s degree at UT and eventually returned as a faculty member. Seeking to make a difference in every role she held, Parker positioned UT as a national and global leader in the data-intensive knowledge economy before retiring last year after more than two decades at the university.
Parker is being recognized for her transformational work as the 2025 Nathan W. Dougherty Award winner, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Tickle College of Engineering.
Given annually since 1967, the Dougherty Award singles out those who have brought honor and distinction to the college through their achievements or who have made significant contributions to the engineering profession in Tennessee through their professional activities.
“Receiving the Dougherty Award is a tremendous honor, and I’m deeply grateful. The University of Tennessee and the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) have been so important to my education and career, and to be recognized by the college that has given me so much is truly special,” Parker said. “When I think of the remarkable individuals who have received this award before me, I feel both humbled and inspired.”
Dedicated servant leader
Parker joined the UT faculty in 2002 as a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. An expert in distributed and intelligent robot systems, human-robot interaction, and AI, Parker rose to take on several leadership roles on campus, including interim dean of TCE and associate vice chancellor and founding director of the AI Tennessee Initiative.
Parker’s foresight and pioneering spirit helped build UT’s strength in robotics and AI at a time when these fields were just beginning to grow nationally and internationally.
“What made my career at UT so rewarding was the combination of teaching, mentoring, research, and leadership. Each part built on the others and made my time especially fulfilling,” Parker said. “Working with students—seeing them grow, take risks, and achieve great things—will always be a highlight. Advancing research in robotics and AI allowed me to contribute to fields that fascinate me. And, through leadership roles, I had the opportunity to support others, foster collaboration, and help create an environment where innovation could thrive.”
Parker is currently in her second stint working at the White House, serving as the principal deputy director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science & Technology.
No matter where she goes, Parker is always proud to represent UT and her hometown of Knoxville. Her legacy at the university has been firmly established through her work, the lives she touched, and the recognition she has received.
“It was incredibly rewarding to help establish programs, lead research efforts, and mentor students who went on to make major contributions themselves,” Parker said. “In many ways, the work I did—both in research and in leadership roles—was about laying a foundation for others to thrive. To me, winning the Dougherty Award is not just a recognition of individual accomplishments, but a reflection of the incredible teams, students, and colleagues I had the privilege of working with along the way.”
Staff Award Winners
| Award | Winner | Team Member Names | TCE Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volunteer Spirit Award | Heather Stellmach | IED/Heath IBEP | |
| Supervisor of the Year Award | Erika Adams | EECS | |
| Sidekick Salute Award | Charlotte Holland | EECS | |
| Inspirational Leadership Award | Scott Wells | EECS | |
| Commitment to Excellence Award | Jonathan Overly | ISSE | |
| Commitment to Access & Engagement Award | Izzie Gall | TCE Communications | |
| Rising Star Award | Reina Ortega | EECS | |
| Champions of Collaboration Award | TCE Undergraduate Recruitment | Ashlyn Riley | Student Success |
| Champions of Collaboration Award | TCE Undergraduate Recruitment | Caitlin Moore | Engineering Diversity Programs |
| Champions of Collaboration Award | TCE Undergraduate Recruitment | Courtney Wahlen | Student Success |
| Champions of Collaboration Award | TCE Undergraduate Recruitment | Kelly Clifton | Women in Engineering |
| Champions of Collaboration Award | TCE Undergraduate Recruitment | Hannah Olberding | Women in Engineering |
Faculty Award Winners
| Award | Winner | TCE Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Service to the College Award | Eric Lukosi | NE |
| Outstanding Service in Outreach and Engagement Award | Laura Knight | Engineering Fundamentals |
| Outstanding Contribution to Culture and Climate Award | Hector Pulgar | EECS |
| Moses E. & Mayme Brooks Distinguished Professor Award | Tony Schmitz | MABE |
| Leon & Nancy Cole Teaching Fellow Award | Scott Ruoti | EECS |
| Charles E. Ferris Faculty Award | Stephanie TerMaath | MABE |
| Teaching Fellow | Bryan Good | MABE |
| Teaching Fellow | Wei Wang | MABE |
| Teaching Fellow | Jon Hathaway | CEE |
| Teaching Fellow | Sandra Bogetic | NE |
| Inaugural Dr. Richard Bennett EF Instructional Faculty Award | Nathan Hicks | Engineering Fundamentals |
Faculty Research Award Winners
| Award | Winner | TCE Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Promise in Research Award | Bradley Jared | MABE |
| Professional Promise in Research Award | Jian Liu | EECS |
| Professional Promise in Research Award | Catherine Schuman | EECS |
| Professional Promise in Research Award | Vladimir Sobes | NE |
| Research Achievement Award | Hua “Kevin” Bai | EECS |
| Research Achievement Award | Chris Cherry | CEE |
| Research Achievement Award | Caleb Rucker | MABE |
| Research Achievement Award | Zhili Zhang | MABE |
| Translational Research Award | Feng Zhang | MABE |
| Research Award for Research Faculty | Heike Jagode | EECS, ICL |
| Research Award for Postdoctoral Associates | Jiaojiao “Jenny” Dong | EECS, supervisor of Yilu Liu |
Student Award Winners
| Award | Winner | TCE Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Undergraduate Engineering Achievement Award | Benjamin Kreider | EECS |
| Undergraduate Leadership Excellence Award | Carmen Palileo | EECS |
| Undergraduate Research Award | Maria Hernandez | EECS |
| Internship/Co-op Award | Frank Moser | ISE |
| Graduate Leadership Excellence Award | Beau Groom | ISE |
| Graduate Research Award | Shamiul Alam | EECS |
| Best Graduate Teaching Assistant Award | Kaitlyn (McKensie) Nelms | BESS |
| Community Service Award | Hack4Impact | EECS |
Dean’s Choice Award Winner
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Dean’s Meritorious Achievement Award | Larry Sharpe |
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, [email protected])