MARTIN, Tenn. – Tyson Foods, Inc. raises no doubt when it claims (It is) -We-re Chicken.- To the University of Tennessee at Martin that motto is great, but it doesn-t reveal the relationship between the Union City plant and the rural Northwest Tennessee university.
Since Tyson built its 570,000-square-foot plant in Union City and celebrated its grand opening almost two years ago, UT Martin students and graduates have been able to gain employment with the world-s premier poultry producer.
To show its appreciation for that working relationship Tyson recently donated $15,000 over a three-year period to the UT Martin School of Business Administration.
-Tyson appreciates UT Martin and the good relationship that we have,- said Eddie Chancellor, Union City complex manager. -This gift is something to show our appreciation.-
Out of the 87 managers at the Union City plant, 24 are UT Martin graduates, said Donnie Noles, complex personnel manager. -We have hired a good mix of business administration and agriculture majors,- Noles said. This past summer Noles said six of the plant-s nine interns were from UT Martin.
Tyson has more than 1,200 employees currently working at the Union City plant, which is one of 150 Tyson facilities in American. Tyson employs more than 50,000 employees in the United States.
“Tyson has consistently demonstrated its interest in this region. They are an important economic contributor, and this gift further enforces its commitment to making a difference,- said Nick Dunagan, UT Martin executive vice chancellor. -We value and appreciate their support.-
The gift would help recruit and retain top business students and enhance faculty development, said Dr. Gary Young, dean of the UT Martin School of Business Administration.
-This gift also has meaningful impact on the entire fabric of academic experience in the School of Business Administration at UT Martin,- Young said.