For those of you who have not already heard, it is with much sadness that I
tell you about the passing of Sammie Lynn Puett, a longtime Volunteer
Chapter PRSA leader and member who has contributed in so many ways to our
profession and our community. She will be sorely missed.
Our chapter's executive board will be meet early next week to discuss what
we will do in her memory. If you have any suggestions, please do not
hesitate to call or email me. In the meantime, we will share the information
on the funeral arrangements as we learn of them.
Dan

Retired UT administrator Sammie Lynn Puett killed
By Maria M. Cornelius, News-Sentinel assistant managing editor
A former University of Tennessee administrator was struck by a car and
killed Thursday in Texas, officials confirmed early today.
Sammie Lynn Puett, who retired at the end of 2000, was in Arlington, Texas,
for a national meeting of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. Puett was
crossing a street when the accident occurred. She was killed instantly,
according to witnesses.
"Obviously it's a shock to all of us," said Acting UT President Eli Fly.
"She was a person who served the university long and well."
Puett, who served as chief financial officer for the sorority's foundation,
was in Arlington with her husband, Gene. Officials said Puett had escorted
her husband to a restaurant. She was returning to the Arlington Hilton for
her dinner meeting when she stepped out in front of the car. Other sorority
members arriving for the dinner were detoured because of emergency vehicles
and were initially unaware the victim was Puett.
Puett had been vice president for continuing education and was promoted to
chancellor of Internet-based degrees. She began her UT career 40 years ago
as a specialist with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service. She became
associate journalism professor. "The years I spent in the classroom teaching
... are among my happiest memories," she had said.
The accident occurred about 7:30 p.m. EDT, so many members of the UT
community were just beginning to learn of the news. "Our sympathy goes to
the family," Fly said. In 1989, the Society for Professional Journalists
named its scholarship award for her. UT's chapter of the Public Relation's
Student Society of America bears her name.
Maria M. Cornelius may be reached at 865-342-6336 or [log in to unmask]