Aubrey Mitchell began his 42-year career at the University of Tennessee as a student assistant at the UT Libraries, eventually going on to serve as associate dean and interim dean of the University of Tennessee Libraries before retiring in 2006. Mitchell earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee, and his love for his university and the people he encountered runs deep.
Mitchell was committed to increasing access to information for the university community and for all Tennesseans. He helped create the Tennessee Electronic Library, which provides Tennessee residents with free access to selected electronic resources. He also was instrumental in stewarding the relationship between Cormac McCarthy and UT’s Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives and is responsible for much of the McCarthy material held within Special Collections.
Those achievements alone would be enough to define an amazing career. But what sets Mitchell apart from his peers is the lasting friendships he has cultivated throughout his career and retirement. Colleagues and community members have shared stories of his generosity of spirit and genuine concern for others. His friendships with former colleagues did not end with his retirement. In fact, Mitchell is the inspiration for an annual gathering of former UT Libraries employees, which recently brought 16 former library staff members to Chattanooga to visit with him.
Laura Mitchell Lane, Mitchell’s daughter, shared that “Dad also said treat people the same, whether they are the janitor or the CEO. And he has lived his life that way. He has a love for people and a love for UT. We wanted to create this endowment to celebrate Dad and his generous spirit and his deep love for UT.”
Some of you may know that not only was Mitchell a longtime employee of the University of Tennessee, but so was his late wife, Marla. Mitchell comes from a long line of UT alumni. Both of his parents graduated from the University of Tennessee, as did his son, daughter, son-in-law, and many members of his extended family. Perhaps that is why, in the fall of 2024, Mitchell’s daughter, Laura Lane (’87), and son-in-law, Bill Lane (’85), approached the UT Libraries Advancement office about a special Thanksgiving surprise celebrating Mitchell and his love for UT Libraries. They wanted to thank Mitchell for all he had done for the family and couldn’t think of a better way than surprising him with an endowment supporting the university, the people, and the state he so loves.
Mitchell said, “My years working at the UT Libraries had many rewards and blessings. The greatest was working with the faculty, staff, and students at the university, as well as information providers across the state.”
The Aubrey Mitchell Library Endowment is an enduring tribute to Mitchell’s accomplishments and his dedication to UT Libraries. It will provide a perpetual means of support for the thousands of students, faculty, and community members served by the libraries. To learn more about the endowment or to make a gift in Mitchell’s honor, please contact Stacy Palado at 865-974-0055 or spalado@utk.edu.