University of Tennessee System Honors Michael T. Strickland The University of Tennessee System honored Haslam college of business graduate Michael T. Strickland with The Presidents Council Service Award on January 31, 2020. The Presidents Council Awards dinner was held at the Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee and was attended by several hundred Tennessee alumni from across the country. The UT System is comprised of multiple campuses and locations across the great state of Tennessee. The award is presented annually to an alumnus for exceptional service in the advancement of excellence at the University of Tennessee System. Strickland is the founder and chair of entertainment lighting company, Bandit Lites. This award ties in with the Bandit Lites' mantra for 2020: "Experience Excellence." Strickland was recognized for a lifetime of service and dedication to the entire University of Tennessee system, a university he loves and owes so much to. "Without the higher education I was afforded in my time at UTK, I would never have been able to achieve at the level that I did," he said. "It is my mission to enlighten other people, create engagement and involvement with the school, and enable as many other people as possible to have the same education and opportunity that I did. I am truly blessed." The award was presented to Strickland by longtime friend and system president, Randy Boyd. Former Tennessee football coach and current athletic director, Phillip Fulmer, and the dean of the Haslam college of business, Steve Mangum, paid tribute to Michael in a video presentation. Strickland and Fulmer have been friends over 25 years, and Strickland was honored by both Fulmer and Mangum's kind words. This recognition comes on the heels of the entertainment industry giving Strickland the Parnelli Lifetime Visionary Award for his distinguished career in the business. Strickland, a pioneer of entertainment lighting, was feted on January 17th in Anaheim, California in front of 800 entertainment executives. To the surprise of all in attendance, longtime friend and client Garth Brooks appeared unannounced to present the award to Strickland. Strickland serves on numerous boards and committees within the system, including the Presidents Council and the College of Business Deans Advisory Council. Strickland has previously been honored with the Development Council Service Award, the Alumni Council Service Award, the Accomplished Alumni Award and the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award. "I am truly humbled and honored that The University of Tennessee System has recognized me in this way," finished Strickland. "It is an honor I will always cherish. I will endeavor to promote this great school as long as I am alive! Thank you to President Randy Boyd and Chancellor Donde Plowman for this great honor." 
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