Michael T. Strickland named University of Tennessee 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner Michael T. Strickland, a native of Kingsport, Tennessee, graduated from UT in 1977 with a degree in business administration. After graduation, he continued to develop his already-thriving business, Bandit Lites. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor bestowed on a graduate of The University of Tennessee who have excelled on a national or international level and have attained extraordinary distinction and success in their field of endeavor. Previous winners include Peyton Manning, Pat Summitt, Senator Bob Corker, Senator Howard Baker, and John C. Cullum. "To be in the company of the many great previous recipients is indeed humbling," states Strickland. "It is quite an honor. I have always and will forever stive to be the best that I can be and represent the University in a world class manner. The tools and the education I received at The University of Tennessee have made me able to achieve in the world. It is my duty to pay it forward." Today, Bandit Lites is the world's oldest company in the event lighting industry and one of the largest lighting companies in the world, with offices in Knoxville, Nashville, Charlotte, San Francisco, London, and Hong Kong. The organization has provided lighting for stars like Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Alice Cooper, Carrie Underwood, REM, Queen, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Barry Manilow, Alanis Morrisette, Jackson Browne, Halestorm, Toby Keith, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown and Jason Aldean, as well as at major events such as presidential inauguration balls, the NFL Draft and Super Bowl half time shows. Along the way, Strickland also started and owned Thomas Engineering, Tomcat Engineering, Avolites, Gear Park, Best Techs, Vol Air, BPH and Authentic Stars. All of Strickland's companies are controlled by one simple philosophy: Humanomics: business decisions based on what is best for people. Strickland was named the CNN/USA Today Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. In 2020, country music legend Garth Brooks presented Strickland with the Visionary Lifetime Achievement Award at the Parnelli Awards, the most prestigious awards gathering in the live event industry. He has been inducted into the East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame, the Nashville Business Hall of Fame, and the Dobyns Bennett High School Hall of Fame. His company was named East Tennessee's Entrepreneurial Company of the Year in 1996 and has been named Lighting Company of the Year 26 times by numerous organizations. In 2020 and 2021, Strickland was named to the Impact 50 list, the 50 most impactful people in the live entertainment industry. Also, in 2021 Strickland was named a Hero of Live at the Pollstar Awards for his work with Congress to obtain relief funding for the entire entertainment industry. The Academy of Country Music presented Strickland with the Gene Weed Milestone ACM Award, also for his relentless pursuit of relief funding for the entertainment industry. Despite his busy professional career, Strickland has demonstrated a commitment to service and has been generous with his time and resources. He serves on the UT Development Council, the UT President's Council, the Haslam College of Business Dean's Advisory Council, the UT Chancellor's Associates, the Integrated Business and Engineering Board, the UT Medical Center Board and many others. He also supports numerous community initiatives including Leadership Knoxville, Leadership Tennessee, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Junior Achievement, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and countless others. Strickland has given his financial support to university initiatives through contributions to university athletics and the Haslam College of Business. He regularly donates in-kind services from Bandit Lites for university and college events. In recognition of his professional success and his generosity in sharing both his time and his financial resources, Strickland was awarded the Haslam College of Business's Distinguished Alum award in 2009. The college recognized his support for technology by naming a classroom in the new business building in his honor. He has also been awarded the Alumni Service Award, the Development Council Service Award, the President's Council Service Award, and the Accomplished Alumni Award. 
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