KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pro Football Hall of Famer and University of Tennessee alumnus Peyton Manning returned to Knoxville on Aug. 31 to recognize four incoming students selected for the 2026 Peyton Manning Scholarship.
Hector Centeno-Lopez, Breanna Gonzalez, Olamide Olakunle and Mikayla Shumpert were chosen for the four-year scholarship, which is awarded annually to incoming University of Tennessee students based on academic achievement, leadership, service and integrity.
The four students also earned spots in UT’s Haslam Leadership Scholars program, one of the university’s honors programs.
Manning established the scholarship after graduating from Tennessee in 1998. Now in its 29th year, the program has awarded scholarships to 69 students.
“The growth of this program remains a point of pride for me,” Manning said. “This is just the beginning of the positive mark these students will leave on their community and this university. I hope they will leave UT with the same passion for this special place that I have.”
UT Chancellor Donde Plowman said Manning’s continued involvement with the university has helped support generations of students.
“The Manning Scholarship not only emphasizes academic achievement but also the service and leadership that come with being a Volunteer — the same qualities that Peyton has always embodied,” Plowman said.
Centeno-Lopez, of Lakeland, Tennessee, graduated from Arlington High School and plans to major in electrical engineering. He said he hopes to pursue a career in business while also becoming involved in philanthropy and public service.
“Thank you, Mr. Manning, for a scholarship that means that my dreams can remain as big as they were since I first moved here,” Centeno-Lopez said.
Gonzalez, of Smyrna, graduated from Central Magnet High School and plans to study marketing. She thanked Manning for continuing to invest in incoming UT students through the scholarship program.
“I am inspired by your willingness and commitment to continue to pour into the next generation year after year with this scholarship program,” Gonzalez said.
Olakunle, of Antioch, is a graduate of John Overton High School in Nashville and plans to study finance before attending law school.
Olakunle said the scholarship will allow him to concentrate on his education without worrying as much about the financial cost of attending college.
“The ability to not worry about financial issues during my time at UT will allow me to thrust myself into my studies,” Olakunle said. “This is a gift I will never forget.”
Shumpert, of Knoxville, graduated from Hardin Valley Academy and plans to study civil engineering, with an emphasis on structural and transportation engineering. She also plans to minor in city planning and leadership studies.
“Being named a Peyton Manning Scholar is an incredible honor that I’m so grateful for,” Shumpert said. “His generosity gives me the opportunity to pursue my goals with confidence, and more importantly, it challenges me to give back to the Knoxville community that has given so much to me.”
UT Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement Brian Broyles also participated in the ceremony and thanked Manning for his longtime support of the university and its students.
