Lauren Brannon, a senior marketing major from Alamo, claimed the 2005 UTM Idol title for the second year in a row for her performance of “I Heard it through the Grapevine.”

The event was sponsored by Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE), a national sales and marketing fraternity at UTM.

Erica McGregor, a freshman communications Clarksville, and Joel Malin, a junior music major from South Fulton, took home first runnerup for their duet, “Audience of One.”

Emily Essary, freshman chemistry major from Dyersburg, was named second runner-up for her performance of “The First Cut is the Deepest.”

The contestants performed and were voted on by the audience. The audience’s vote determined the winners. The sisters of Chi Omega received the Participation Award at the event, which contributed to their points for 2006 Greekfest.

During intermission, Jaida Cooke, a junior elementary education major from Crockett Mills, commented, “Lauren Brannon was my favorite, because the song she sang seemed to fit her personality well. She appeared to really have fun singing it.”

“I enjoyed the experience of UTM Idol, I have been singing since I was six years old and I aspire to one day actually be a contestant on American Idol,” said Melvin Isabel, a senior music education major from Cordova.

The UTM Idol competition had a variety of styles and songs presented to the crowd. The show was also broadcast live on WUTM 90.3 FM.

“I think it is great that an organization on campus can get students involved and have such a good turnout” said Pamela Bartholomew, a senior agriculture education major from Decaturville.

“We were pleased with the turnout of contestants and the audience. The numbers for each rose more than double from last year,” said Beth Grissom, Vice President of finance of PSE and a junior accounting and marketing major from South Fulton.

“Our goals this year for UTM Idol were to showcase the talent of the student body as well as to raise funds for PSE national conference,” said Bynum.

The UTM PSE chapter will attend the National PSE conference, March 2-3, in Miami, Fla.

“UTM Idol was a great opportunity to allow each of the contestants to show their vocal abilities. However, the showc ould not have been such a success with out the support of our members and the university,” said Jake Bynum, president of PSE and a junior marketing major from Dresden.