The University of Tennessee at Martin exceeded its $325,000 fundraising goal for the sixth annual “Captain’s Challenge—Back to the Future Edition” in less than 24 hours June 3, successfully returning Captain Skyhawk to present time after becoming trapped in 1995.

This year’s theme, “Back to the Future,” saw Captain Skyhawk traveling back in time to April 25, 1995, the day the Skyhawk was originally introduced to UT Martin, in Chancellor Keith Carver’s Jeep fitted with a flux capacitor. The flux capacitor was powered by the funds raised during the Captain’s Challenge in 2019; however, once the funds ran out, Captain was trapped in 1995. Through the efforts of the UT Martin community, over $325,000 was raised in order to charge the flux capacitor and bring Captain Skyhawk home.

“Thank you to our alumni and friends that have made this day exceed our expectations. We appreciate our UTM community who continues to support the success of UTM students,” said Jackie Johnson, assistant vice chancellor of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.

The UT Martin Office of Alumni Relations tracked donations by students, alumni, faculty, staff and community donors during the event at https://challenge.utm.edu/ and reached their goal before 4 p.m., effectively bringing Captain home. As of 5 p.m., over $330,000 had been donated to various university departments, organizations and scholarship funds.

“The success of Captain's Challenge 2020 is a true testament for the UT Martin family,” said Matt Borden, associate director of Annual Giving. “I am beyond proud to be a part of such a vast network of Skyhawk supporters who took it upon themselves in continuing the rich tradition that is Captain's Challenge.”

For more information, contact Alumni Relations at 731-881-7610 or alumni@utm.edu.

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