Jack E. Reese served as chancellor of UT Knoxville from 1973 until 1989. A professor of English, he joined the UT English Department faculty in 1961. He received the undergraduate degree from Berea College and then went to the University of Kentucky for his master’s degree. After a four-year stint in the navy, he returned to the University of Kentucky and earned the PhD. He served administratively at UT as assistant, associate, and then dean of the Graduate School and as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs before being elected chancellor by the board of trustees.
After stepping down from the chancellorship, he returned to teaching and served as head of the College Scholars program. He was named an Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher in 1997 and was the recipient of the Hesler award in 1998. He retired in 1999.
During Reese’s tenure as chancellor, UT changed from the quarter to the semester system, built several buildings, held its first major capital campaign, increased research funding greatly, and renovated and expanded the John C. Hodges Library, a project in which Reese took a special interest. He was known for his populist philosophy, open-door policy, and receptiveness to student opinions and ideas, as well as for his list-making propensity, his genuine interest in every discipline of UT, his humor, and his occasional fiery outbursts. Following the 1989 Orange and White Game, students announced that funds for a library endowment in his name would be raised by students. The main galleria in the Hodges Library is named the Jack E. Reese Galleria.