KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jay S. Burns, honor student and senior class vice president at Greeneville High School, will receive the first Peyton Manning Scholarship at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
The new academic scholarship, a four-year award covering fees and room and board at UT, honors the former Vol quarterback.
Manning, who will be watching the Vols as a spectator Saturday during the annual Orange and White intrasquad game, will help present the award to Burns in halftime ceremonies.
UT President Joe Johnson said Burns, the son of Steve and Glennis Burns, Bulls Gap, Tenn., is an excellent choice for the Manning Scholarship.
“This is a premiere scholarship for a young man who could take his pick from among the nation’s top colleges and universities,” Johnson said. “He and Peyton Manning have much in common. They are strong students, athletes, and they use their gifts to help others.”
Burns’ volunteer activities include Habitat for Humanity, Junior Red Cross, Greene County Ministries, Holston Home for Children, and Sojourner Neighborhood Center in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Tom Broadhead, director of the UT-Knoxville honors program and member of the Manning Scholarship selection committee, said Burns, 18, was an outstanding applicant.
“Jay is a credit to his family and to Greeneville High School,” Broadhead said. “He’s a fine student, personable and articulate — as strong in person as he is on paper.”
At Greeneville High, Burns’ senior honors and activities include:
National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist; U.S. Senate Youth Program, Tennessee’s first alternate; Toyota Community Scholars; Student Council; National Honor Society; Science Club, president; Spanish Club, treasurer; Math Club, treasurer; and Scholars’ Bowl, captain.
Burns was second-team All-Conference in football and captain of the baseball team.
Johnson said the Manning scholarship is funded from gifts to the university garnered from Manning’s athletic awards, the UT Athletics Department’s corporate matching grants program, and other private gifts.
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Contact: Dr. Joe Johnson (423-974-2241), Dr. Tom Broadhead (423-974-7875)