Profile: Andrea Loughry
UT Martin, B.S., Agriculture & Home Economics
UT Knoxville, B.S., Home Economics
Two-time Tennessee graduate Andrea Loughry has been a successful college faculty member and entrepreneur, but these days she is dedicating her time and expertise to help the University of Tennessee in various roles, including serving on the Board of Trustees and currently serving as chair of the University of Tennessee Foundation.
Loughry spent 10 years as a faculty member at MTSU before starting her own independent insurance business – Miller and Loughry – in Murfreesboro, Tenn. We caught up with Loughry, a native of Trenton, Tenn., to get an idea of why she dedicates so much of herself to improve her alma maters.
What led you to UT Martin for your undergraduate degree?
When I was in high school, there were two professions that were most respected for women – nursing and high school home economic teachers. I realized I did not have the stomach for the medical profession, so I decided to go to UT Martin because they had a great home economics program. At that time, Knoxville had the only four year program, so I started at Martin and transferred to Knoxville.
Was there one moment in your time at Martin that really stands out to you?
Faculty and department heads were very involved with the students. After graduating from Martin, I spent a summer in Europe. My dean told me not to worry about a job when I returned, that she would find one for me. Two days after I returned, she had lined up an interview for me in a high school in Murfreesboro and I started working there the next week. It allowed me to be part of an experimental program for the state that went towards my master’s degree.
You attended two UT campuses. What was that like?
It was really an adjustment for a small town girl. UT Martin was a small, intimate campus and I think it worked well for me to start at the smaller campus before coming to Knoxville with all of its distractions, but I really enjoyed both campuses tremendously.
You left teaching to start your business. What influenced that change?
My dad owned his own business and my mom was the bookkeeper. She was a respected business woman in our community. I think growing up in that environment, I always had the desire to own my own business too. After teaching at MTSU for 10 years, I decided to take the leap. It was definitely an ego adjustment at first. When you’re a faculty member, people believe what you say the first time, but when I chose to open an independent insurance agency, I really had to prove myself. At that time there were no other women business owners in the insurance business in Murfreesboro. It was exciting and I liked the challenge.
You and Ed have been incredibly supportive of the University. Why do you think it’s important to support your alma mater?
My parents grew up during the Great Depression. My dad had to drop out of school after the 8th grade to help feed and clothe the younger children in his family. He was a very smart man, self-educated and was a successful business owner. Education was highly prized in my home. My parents saved money for my post-secondary education. Giving to UT to help other students is one way I can continue to thank my parents for the sacrifices they made for me.
You have been very involved in the University as a Board of Trustee member and now as chair of the UT Foundation. What has that experience been like? What have you learned?
It’s really been a great learning experience for me. I’ve learned there are a number of people who are willing to give back to education in so many ways. Everyone thinks of in terms of giving money, but there are so many opportunities to volunteer your time and effort to advance UT.
This has really given me an opportunity to get to know very caring, giving people I may never have met otherwise. Sometimes I think who would have thought a small girl from West Tennessee would end up having the opportunity to be so involved with the University and chair the Foundation. Hopefully I can bring a different perspective.