Maryville resident and former Marine donates $3M to UT's School of Music

Eric W. Barton, a Maryville resident and former U.S. Marine, donated $3.14 million to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, School of Music.

Barton, 42, is a former Marine who went on to start several businesses serving the U.S. Armed Forces in the Middle East, according to a release from UT.

“I met Eric in our Introduction Knoxville class,” said Jeffrey L. Pappas, director of the School of Music. “I invited him to tour the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, and he was intrigued by what we were accomplishing in developing the talents of our students."

Pappas says Barton helped make some of their dreams get that much closer to reality. "As Eric learned more about our ambitions, he decided to help us make a number of ideas a reality. His gift will have an enormous impact on our ability to continue to develop our programs and to attract and retain the very best faculty. We are very grateful for his support."

According to the release from UT, the donation will support several initiatives, including an annual visiting artist residency.