Whenever a singer’s voice echoes in the halls of the music building, an actor takes the stage in the Jenny Boyd Theatre, or a visitor spends time wandering through exhibits at the McClung Museum, they may not realize how the kindness of another lover of arts and culture helped make it all possible.
Natalie L. Haslam, a 1952 alumna whose love for the University of Tennessee only strengthened throughout the course of her life, passed away on January 16, 2026. Born in 1931, she was 94 years old. A native Knoxvillian, Haslam studied French and participated in honors societies and the Chi Omega sorority during her time at UT.
A central figure in the Haslam family, which continues to be among the university’s most generous supporters, Haslam married Pilot Corporation founder James Arthur “Jim” Haslam II (’52) in 1976. Jim placed formidable trust in her as a partner in life, business, and the family legacy.
“Natalie Haslam was a tireless champion of the University of Tennessee, and her family’s unwavering belief in this institution has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many students,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “Natalie embodied so much of what makes UT special. She was a true Volunteer whose leadership and generosity on our campus and throughout the community have left a legacy that will continue for generations. She will be dearly missed.”
Natalie and Jim Haslam
SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY
Haslam devoted her life to her family and serving her community, and a central focus of her philanthropy was the enrichment of arts and culture at the university.
In 2024, the College of Music was named the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music in her honor.
Upon this recognition, Haslam said, “I am not a musician, but music has always meant a lot to me…. At the University of Tennessee, we are blessed to have an amazing music program, and Jim and I appreciate that very much. I’m honored to have my name associated with it.”
The college resides within the state-of-the-art Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. The facility, which opened in 2013, brought all the university’s music programs under the same roof for the first time.
Jeff Pappas, the Natalie L. Haslam Founding Dean of the College of Music, said it’s impossible to think of the college without noting Haslam’s impact.
“Natalie was the kindest, most gracious, and most generous person I have ever met,” said Pappas. “You cannot think about the College of Music without noting the impact of Natalie Haslam. Beyond her support and dedication to the arts throughout our Knoxville community, I will take many important lessons from my interactions with her, including the idea that kindness can be given freely. She had a major impact that will resonate for generations.”
Natalie and Jim Haslam at the naming of the Haslam College of Business in 2014
The Haslam family’s generosity has touched many areas across campus, including gifts to the construction of the Jenny Boyd Theatre, the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Denbo Center for Humanities and the Arts, UT Athletics, the Winston College of Law, and UT Libraries.
The family is a strong supporter of the College of Business, which was renamed the James A. Haslam II College of Business in 2014, and has established the Haslam Scholars honors program, which creates learning experiences to develop academic and leadership potential with the goal of developing Tennessee’s future leaders.
SERVICE & HONOR
A music student speaks with Natalie Haslam.
At UT, Haslam served on the Library Society Board, College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors, Friends of the UT Gardens, UT Chancellor’s Circle, Chancellor’s Associates, and UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists Executive Board.
She was the first female president of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and held leadership roles for the East Tennessee Foundation, Tennessee Arts Commission, East Tennessee Historical Society, Knoxville Garden Club, Zoo Knoxville, Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Arts Council for Greater Knoxville.
Haslam was named the 1992 UT Volunteer of the Year and the East Tennessee Historical Society’s 2018 East Tennessean of the Year. Natalie and Jim Haslam were jointly named Distinguished Alumni by UT in 2009.
Natalie Haslam is survived by her husband, James A. “Jim” Haslam II, and three children from her first marriage: Jennie Tucker McCabe, Carol Tucker Pattison, and Susan Tucker Robie. She is also survived by stepchildren James “Jimmy” Haslam III, Ann Haslam Bailey, and Bill Haslam; 18 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.