und a scholarship endowment honoring Dorotha Norton since her June 23 death.

Since the inception of the fund on April 1, 2005, about $22,000 has been committed to the endowment, established by UTM communications alumni in honor of Norton’s accomplishments at UTM.

Former students Paul Alexander, Kent Landers, David Parker, R. Lemoyne Robinson and Scottie Hughes were members of a committee promoting the scholarship and worked on garnering donations. The committee announced the formation of the endowment at the 2005 Communications Career Day.

The Norton scholarship is to be rewarded annually to a Communications student who has excellent public speaking skills. Because the scholarship is an endowment, only the interest made from the money will be dispensed.

“It has been so gratifying to see Professor Norton’s students and colleagues donating to her scholarship fund. They see this as a tangible way to show their sympathy and also to ensure that her legacy is honored,” said Dr. Robert Nanney, Chair of the Communications department.

Norton had been a UTM faculty member since 1966, when she began her career as an English instructor. After the establishment of the Communications Department in 1978, she began teaching classes in public speaking and voice and diction.

“Dorotha Norton was an invaluable member of the Communications Department. She continuously showed love and dedication to her work and for her students. Anyone who had her in class knew from day one she was there to challenge you and see you succeed,” said Abbey Dane, UTM Communications alumna.

In 2006, Norton received the Coffey Outstanding Teaching Award. Norton also received the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award. The Norton endowment was also presented to Norton in 2005.

“It was a total shock to lose such a dear colleague and friend as Professor Norton, and it is still very difficult for all of us, especially as we begin classes without her for the first time. There is no way to fully replace her. As I tell my fellow faculty members and students almost daily, we will get through this one day at a time as a departmental family,” said Nanney.

Norton died about 3 p.m. Friday, June 23 from a head injury at The Med in Memphis. The funeral was on June 26 at the First Baptist Church in Kenton where she was a resident. She is survived by her husband, Robert Norton, a daughter, Robbie Norton-Eddings from Kenton, a son, Ronnie Norton from Germantown and 3 grandchildren.

“She was a teacher, mentor, counselor and friend to each student who entered her classroom. She will be greatly missed and always remembered. There is no doubt that her legacy will live on for many years to come,” said Dane.