Franklin native Lindsay McClain was announced the 2008 Volunteer of the Year earlier this month. 

The Volunteer of the Year title is given to a rising UT senior based on leadership, service to campus and community, and strength of character.  McClain has embodied these characteristics both in Knoxville and across the world.  Currently, she is in Uganda serving as an intern for parliament. In addition to her internship she works at developing music, drama, and dance programs for Gulu High School in Northern Uganda.  McClain has used her connections in Knoxville to raise the money for these programs by helping to organize Knoxville Jazz for Justice, which produced more than $11,000 for girls' education in Uganda. 

Within those walls was the first time I remember being in Northern Uganda and thinking, these are kids just like my sister and her friends at homeLindsay McClain"Within those walls was the first time I remember being in Northern Uganda and thinking, these are kids just like my sister and her friends at home." she said about her experience at one Ugandan center that gives children a safe place to play.

McClain's volunteer spirit doesn't end with Africa.  When she is living in Knoxville, she volunteers once a week at Sam E. Hill Preschool where she works with inner-city children.  She used this experience as a classroom assistant to research the American school system and compare it with the schools in Northern Uganda.  She then produced an essay revealing her findings.

On campus, McClain works with Amnesty International, Roteract Club, Uganda Conflict Action Network, and the UT Solidarity Movement.  Additionally, she is the Tennessee chairperson and vice-president for the Volunteers for Ethiopian Orphans group.

She is a College Scholars major with a concentration that allows her to analyze the peace music in Uganda and how it relates to freedom of speech.

"I am so honored to be named Volunteer of the Year at a school named the ‘Tennessee Vols,'" McClain said. "I was so surprised when my inbox was flooded with letters of congratulations. All of my work is centered on Northern Uganda, so my hope is that through this award and through stories like this one, more of the Tennessee community will hear about the situation in Northern Uganda and be encouraged to get involved, as well."

She was honored at the Chancellor's Honors Banquet on Wednesday, April 9, along with other faculty and students who were recognized for their outstanding achievements.