UT College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Receives Accomplished Alumni Award

Minneapolis-based attorney and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduate Randy Hopper was recognized with an Accomplished Alumni Award Monday, Nov. 23. The award is sponsored by the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs and recognizes graduates who have achieved great professional success.

Hopper graduated from UT College of Arts and Sciences in 1976 with a major in psychology and began his career working on a White House-sponsored urban education program, "Communities in Schools," in inner-city Atlanta and the Bronx and Harlem neighborhoods of New York.

He served as manager of public affairs for the Cummins Engine Company and as a program officer in its corporate foundation; as director of state development planning for the state of Minnesota; and as an economic development adviser for the governor of Minnesota. He has served as finance director for two successful congressional campaigns and since 1982,  he has been president of Robert R. Hopper & Associates, a private consulting firm.

Hopper graduated from law school in 1987 and upon his graduation received an Excellence in Trial Advocacy Award from the Association of Trial Lawyers designating him as one of the top 10 student trial advocates in the country. He currently serves as senior partner for Zimmerman Reed P.L.L.P. in Minneapolis and focuses on complex civil litigation and government relations.

As part of the Accomplished Alumni program, Hopper also spent time on campus and addressed a group of 30 students. He credited UT with contributing to his career and his professional success. He encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunities UT provides them.

"Put your heart and soul into this experience and commit to making something out of your college years," Hopper said. "Your classes, professors and the activities here on campus will give you the basis for great success later in your life."

The Accomplished Alumni program is designed to attract alumni of note to campus to share their success stories with UT students, other alumni and the greater UT community. Through this program, alumni make an impact in the classroom and also are honored for their achievements.

For more information on the Accomplished Alumni program and to view other recipients, visit http://alumni.utk.edu/programs/accomplished.