Erin

The seventh mural in the “Everywhere You Look, UT” campaign is in Erin, Tennessee, on the side of Archie’s TV and Appliance Repair. Opened in 1978 by Archie Brooks and his late wife, Patsy, the family-run business anchors the city’s town square and is across the street from the Houston County Courthouse.

Submitted by UT Knoxville alumna Tamera Brooks,  the 25-foot mural is a tribute to the more than 100 UT alumni, employees and students representing and making an impact in Houston County.

Tamera also hopes the mural on her father’s building will spread a message to high school students in her hometown.

“Not a lot of kids in Houston County have the opportunity to go to college,” she said. “I just want to encourage the students down there to think outside of the county, outside of the region and to encourage them to look at UT.”

UT can help students find a way to attend, such as through last-dollar scholarships like UT Promise, she said. The mural can be a reminder to the 3.4 million people a year who will pass by it.

Archie has been a UT Knoxville fan all of his life, cheering on the football and basketball teams. His love for the school has only grown with Tamera’s graduation from UT Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1985. Two of Archie’s nieces followed Tamera to Knoxville, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“I’m a firm believer in the University of Tennessee,” Archie said.

As is his daughter. And she knows the power of a UT education as well as how the traditions and lifetime friendships formed on the campuses can permeate a life.

“Through their programs, highly educated people graduate from there and do great things,” she said.

Erin Mayor Paul Bailey expressed excitement about his town being selected for the mural.

“It’s a neat concept and will dress up the town,” he said. “I hope it will make people stop and think about their futures. They can see or think about what they do can impact their lives as well as others.”