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UT officials: Top 25 research goal is possible

By: Associated Press | TriCities.com
Published: February 08, 2010

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UT Knoxville officials say the school can meet Gov. Phil Bredesen's challenge to become a top 25 public research university in the next decade.

Already, research contracts and grants at the campus rose to $179 million last year, a 104 percent increase over the previous year. Brad Fenwick, vice chancellor for research and engagement, told the Knoxville News Sentinel the campus could reach between $200 million and $210 million this year.

Another component of that push could be Bredesen's proposed UT Energy Campus at Oak Ridge, a partnership between the school and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in which up to 200 researchers could receive faculty appointments.

But to be in the top 25, officials said the school also needs to improve graduation rates, change public perception, produce more doctoral degrees and increase fundraising.