Shuler and Stowers Join the Baker School’s Board of Directors
Knoxville, TN – Former Congressman Heath Shuler and Knoxville philanthropist Liz Stowers have joined the board of the Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School), each serving five-year terms.
Shuler, a native of Swain County, North Carolina, attended UT from 1991-1993 before entering the NFL draft and playing in the NFL until 1999. He returned to UT to complete his degree and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms (2007-2013), representing North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. Shuler now resides in Knoxville and has emerged as a leading advocate for the Baker School, regularly speaking to prospective and current students, sharing his experiences in public service, and his passion for mentorship.
“Heath has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Baker School,” said Marianne Wanamaker, Dean of the Baker School. “Adding Heath to our board is a tremendous blessing for our students. He brings a passion for mentorship and a wealth of experience in public service.”
Stowers brings a deep commitment to enriching her community to the Baker board. She advocates for the city’s most vulnerable and is also renowned for her transformative support of the arts. She is developing a new theatre project entitled “The 19th” to celebrate East Tennessee’s critical role in the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. The project combines her love of theater with her civic interests. Stowers also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the UT College of Arts and Sciences and co-chaired the capital campaign to rebuild UT’s Carousel Theater.
“Liz’s dedication to the arts and civic causes aligns neatly with the Institute of American Civics’ mission,” Wanamaker said. “I look forward to her contributions to our work in renewing Tennessee’s civic health.”
The Baker School Board serves as an advisory and advocacy group, offering strategic guidance and support in student success, resources, program development, financial backing, and guidance.
About the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
The Baker School is the first and only school of its kind at any public university in Tennessee, and its mission is to graduate skilled public problem solvers, grounded in the legacy of Howard H. Baker, Jr., and prepared to take leadership roles in their communities.