The Tullahoma Noon Rotary Club met at the UT Space Institute on March 28 to dedicate a recently planted Scarlet Oak Tree in honor of the late Dr. Robert Young.  The new tree stands directly behind the memorial that was installed last year to officially name the large circle in front of the main academic building The Robert L. Young Circle. Dr. Young was UTSI’s first deputy director and professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering, and later became the first associate dean and director of the academic program.  While the event was held to honor Dr. Young, his wife, Sara Young, was also honored when Rotary President Paul Larson surprised her with the announcement that she had been named an “Honorary Rotary Club Member.” Prior to the tree planting ceremony, the Rotary members held their regular weekly meeting in the UTSI cafeteria, where they heard from UTSI’s Center for Laser Applications Director Dr. William Hofmeister as their guest speaker.  Shown from left to right are Dr. Young’s son, Ronald Young of Franklin; Mrs. Young; son, Scott Alan Young of Tullahoma; Rotary Member Buddy Chellstorp (in back); stepson, Scot Robertson of Estill Springs; Rotary Member Stan McNabb, and Larson.

— UTSI photo by Laura Horton