appalachian spring held to help students

     KNOXVILLE – The eighth annual Appalachian Spring will be held later this month.
    The fundraiser helps provide University of Tennessee retail and hospitality students with an enriched education experience.
    It includes a gourmet dinner designed by some of the area’s finest chefs from locally grown and produced food, entertainment and an auction.
      Tickets are now on sale for this year's Appalachian Spring, to be held at 6 p.m. on March 27 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 401 W. Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville.
      A variety of pricing packages are available. For information and to reserve tickets, contact rhtm@utk.edu or call (865) 974-6614.
      John Antun, assistant professor of hotel, restaurant and tourism management and the founder and director of UT's Culinary Institute, said the event -- organized by students -- is not only a wonderful evening out, but also an opportunity to provide significant assistance to students in the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management.
     Money raised through the event is used to support student participation in class field trips, internships, leadership and team-building courses, study tours and simulation exercises.
      Last year's event raised more than $45,000.
      "Many deserving students would not have been able to take advantage of these opportunities without this level of support," said Nancy Rutherford, professor and head of the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management.