The Ignite program is a unique opportunity for incoming students to build lasting relationships, discover valuable resources, and kickstart on-campus engagement. It offers a distinct experience that enriches their time on Rocky Top. As the program concludes a historic season, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service reflects on the energy and engagement of the session participants, as well as the dedication of their student leaders.
The program is only possible thanks to the generosity of Clay (‘71) and Debbie Jones, the namesakes of the office. Their commitment to and passion for leadership development enables our office to inspire early leadership and service education for students. Ignite has evolved in many forms since its founding in 2001, but it currently hosts the following programs:
Ignite: 865
Over 340 students participated in Ignite: 865 throughout five sessions, an on-campus experience that cultivates relationships among first-year students and encourages a deeper understanding of the greater Knoxville community.
Many long-standing traditions compose the program, but the sessions have undergone refining changes in recent years to enhance the student experience. Last season saw the combination of Ignite: Knox and Ignite: Serves, merging the best of both programs. The Community Leader Dinner, one of those elements, invites students to hear valuable insights from prominent Knoxville leaders, such as Charles Lomax Jr., Sam Springer, and Lamar Bryant, and reflect on the opportunities that lie ahead.
The Ignite program continues to impact the Knoxville community, contributing over 680 hours of community service with 14 community partners. Students engaged in projects with local nonprofit organizations to recognize the city’s needs and learn from those dedicated to resolving them. Maddox Thigpen, the program’s student director of service, shared, “It’s an amazing feeling seeing hundreds of new Vols take their first step in making Knoxville their new home. Service is a crucial part of this program and campus as a whole, helping students learn more about themselves and their abilities and feel like they are making a tangible impact as a part of a larger, decades-long effort.”
Students enjoyed excursions such as paddleboarding on the Tennessee River, exploring historic Market Square, and venturing through the Zoo Knoxville, admiring the city’s vibrant life. One participant said, “The service and excursion were so much fun. The sense of community that we built made it so much more enjoyable.”
The Ignite program prioritizes fostering conversations among its students, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. The groups concluded the second day with reflective discussions on a range of topics that enabled them to understand their peers’ perspectives and lived experiences. Students continuously demonstrate their commitment to leadership development, self-discovery, and sustainable service, which inspire the program’s ongoing expansion.
Ignite: Summit
Founded in 2001, the original Ignite program has paved the way for many iterations that engage hundreds of students each year, presenting long-standing traditions while exploring participants’ unique identities and encouraging relationship-building. The off-campus experience allows students to immerse themselves fully. One student said, “I felt that I had a much easier time socializing and making genuine connections with the people around me through Ignite, and I feel that this program has helped me grow my confidence in myself.”
Participants bond with their teams through spirited games, team-building activities, and a low-ropes challenge course. A widespread favorite of the session was the Traditions Duel, a lively relay game that tests students’ knowledge of Tennessee trivia.
Students expressed their excitement to support one another’s growth through lasting friendships that extend far beyond the three-day session. After exploring leadership potential through thoughtful discussions among their small group, one participant said, “By relating to them, I was able to understand I am surrounded by thousands of like-minded people, and we will continue to work together to make our Rocky Top experience the best it can be.”
Over 125 students participated in this year’s session, nearly tripling last season’s registration. This year’s record-breaking attendance fostered an even greater diversity of perspectives and strengthened relationships. Ignite: Summit annually empowers students to actively contribute to shaping a vibrant and inclusive campus community.
Ignite: Outdoors
Ignite: Outdoors, hosted by RecSports, continues to excel as it builds connections and confidence in the wilderness. The program maximizes participation in its close-knit groups as the four-day experience cultivates relationships within small groups amidst the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, which the university calls home.
It is more than an adventure; it is an opportunity. Participants rely on one another as they navigate trails and set up camp. For many participants, Ignite: Outdoors is their first time away from home or their first immersive outdoor experience, and students overcome challenges with the mentorship and support of Team Leaders. They expertly guide participants through adventurous activities, including hiking and rafting, as well as meaningful discussions on personal values and leadership development that maintain the spirit of the Ignite program regardless of the environment.
The program offers a valued return to genuine, face-to-face connections where students learn to trust in themselves and one another. The unfamiliar setting fosters authentic relationships and effective communication to embrace shared experiences and encourages personal growth and confidence to forge their futures at the university.
Specialty Programs
Collaborations with the university’s colleges and divisions enable the Ignite program to continuously expand its reach and tailor the sessions to cultivate unique experiences for specific groups. The academic year presents the following specialty programs:
Ignite: 865 with Haslam College of Business
An ongoing partnership with the Haslam College of Business presented an Ignite: 865 session tailored to incoming business students. The program aims to foster connections among students embarking on similar academic experiences. Amidst the traditional activities of Ignite, students explored an array of opportunities by touring the academic building and learning about various resources. City excursions exposed them to local businesses—Tombras, Cirrus, and DeRoyal—allowing them to explore career aspirations and build connections with regional business leaders.
The Community Leader Dinner welcomed many guests from the Haslam College of Business’s administration, as students heard valuable insights from Haslam College of Business alumnus Sam Springer, who spoke on his time as an undergraduate student and his experience in the accounting industry. The unique session enabled students to understand the broader network of businesses surrounding the college, encouraging their aspirations as they embark on their time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Ignite: First-Year Council
Composed of some of the university’s foremost first-year leaders, the Student Government Association’s First-Year Council joins the Ignite program for a meaningful one-day retreat. The session challenges students to consider their identity in terms of their leadership and encourages them to understand the perspectives of their peers. Groups dive into activities that strengthen their existing connections, and thoughtful conversations equip the council members with crucial teamwork skills that value each person’s unique contributions.
Ignite: Honors
First-year University Honors students came together for a four-hour orientation program, supported by Ignite Team Leaders, to better understand their unique strengths and connect with their peers who share a profound commitment to excellence. University Honors students participated in meaningful conversations on their leadership principles to broaden their perspectives as they began their coursework.
University Honors concentrates on developing problem-solvers through their coursework, and the Ignite program leverages long-standing relationships within the community to further students’ education through experience. Ignite will continue collaborating with University Honors throughout the fall semester by hosting service experiences with community partners—Ladies of Charity and YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center—to foster connections with and an understanding of Knoxville.
Ignite: Evolve
After an unexpected winter storm caused the session’s cancellation in 2024, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service is eager to bring Ignite: Evolve to life in January 2025. The session will allow first-year transfer students to build relationships and acquaint themselves with the Knoxville community.
________________________________________________________________________
Ignite sessions annually empower students to contribute to shaping a vibrant and inclusive campus community. The Jones Center for Leadership and Service actively seeks opportunities to expand the program, and we look forward to exploring partnerships with the university’s colleges and departments to accommodate the unique ambitions of their students. To learn more and collaborate with our office, please contact leadserve@utk.edu.