The Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking at The University of Tennessee at Martin was established in 1988 through a financial gift from the family of Mr. Horace Dunagan. Mr. Dunagan was a graduate of UT Martin Junior College and UT Knoxville. He enjoyed a distinguished banking career in Tennessee and Missouri spanning nearly 40 years.
Following Mr. Dunagan's passing, a memorial contribution from his wife, Ms. Sara Dunagan, and their family served as the catalyst for further support from other organizations and the UT System, ensuring the chair's continued operation.
The Chair of Excellence in Banking facilitates a vital interaction between the University, the banking community, and its students. John Clark, former President and CEO of First State Bank, currently serves as the interim director of the Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mr. Clark, a native of Jackson, graduated from UT Martin in 1975 with a master’s degree in education. He began his banking career with the Bank of Sharon in 1976, ascending to the position of President and CEO and a seat on the board of directors by 1981. In 1986, he established a one-bank holding company, Sharon Bancshares, which grew to encompass four locations: The Bank of Sharon, City State Bank, Weakley County Bank, and First State Bank. In 2003, Mr. Clark consolidated these locations under the First State Bank name, where he remained President and CEO until its merger with Simmons Bank in 2015. During his tenure, First State Bank grew to oversee over two billion dollars in assets and experienced significant internal expansion across Tennessee. Mr. Clark also served on the Tennessee Bankers Association board of directors and was honored with the Banking in Excellence Award by the Tennessee Bankers Association in 2008.
The Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking at UT Martin currently hosts the Mid-South Agricultural Finance Conference, now in its 27th year. www.utm.edu/agconference