Emily Messer receives the E.J. Chapman Outstanding Service Award
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrated the accomplishments of some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual awards luncheon. The 2026 ceremony was held on the UTIA campus in Knoxville on August 4. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the institute.
UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver hosted the celebration and praised the honorees for their devotion to the land-grant mission. “Our UTIA staff and faculty continue to overwhelm me with their enthusiasm and unparalleled expertise,” he said. “I am always in awe of their dedication to providing Real. Life. Solutions. to the people of Tennessee. These award winners represent the efforts and accomplishments this past year that will most benefit all Tennesseans and society – impacts that will have lasting benefits through teaching, research and Extension for years to come.”
Emily Messer, executive assistant to College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Paul Plummer, is the recipient of the E.J. Chapman Outstanding Service Award. Established by the late E.J. Chapman, who served the university in a wide range of capacities from agronomist to assistant vice president for agriculture, this award recognizes a member of the supporting staff of the teaching, research or Extension units of UTIA.
“I am honored and humbled to do the work that I do, much less get an award for it,” she said. “I find it so fulfilling to know that the background administrative work that I do somehow supports the mission of our amazing veterinarians and future veterinarians and the life-changing work that they do.”
Messer came to the College of Veterinary Medicine four years ago as assistant to then-Dean Jim Thompson. She has been praised for helping Plummer transition into the dean’s role over the last two years.
A certified administrative professional, Messer developed a custom AI chatbot to align UT System policy with college and departmental guidelines and helped implement new parking guidelines. She organizes executive and leadership committee meetings and the college’s advisory council, and she started the Smokey Salute program to recognize outstanding members of the college community.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.