The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has appointed John Sorochan as one of two of the newest Chancellor’s Professors. The distinction honors exceptional faculty members for outstanding scholarly achievement and contributions to their fields, with the recipients named by Chancellor Donde Plowman.
Sorochan is a Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in the Department of Plant Sciences at the Herbert College of Agriculture. His research focuses on optimizing turfgrass performance for sports fields, golf courses and other high-traffic areas, exploring innovations in grass resilience, pest management and sustainable maintenance practices. As a leading industry consultant, Sorochan frequently collaborates with organizations and athletic teams, guiding them on best practices for maintaining field quality and athlete safety. Most recently, Sorochan is leading an expert team of researchers charged with optimizing 16 stadium fields and dozens of training fields required for the FIFA World Cup 26. Sorochan’s findings have helped elevate the standards of sports turf management, contributing directly to safer and more sustainable playing surfaces worldwide.
Hollie Raynor, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and executive associate dean of research and operations for the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, was also named a 2026 Chancellor Professor.
See full details at UT Knoxville News.