You spent four, five and some of you even six years working hard to earn your opportunity to walk across the stage to receive your degree from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  The university will be video recording the commencement ceremonies and will be creating a special DVD that will be for purchase at the UTC Bookstore.

Cost: $15 + tax
Pre-order one at the UTC Bookstore (in-store or phone order at 423-425-4107).

The proceeds from the sale of the DVDs will benefit the UTC GOLD Alumni Gift Fund, which the UTC GOLD Council uses to offer various programs for alumni who have graduated in the last ten years. Learn more about the GOLD Alumni program at www.utcgold.com.

What is planned to be included on the video, which will be available for pickup later this summer:

• Play All – will play the entire commencement ceremony in full
• Scene Selection – to include these sub-chapters
  • ProcessionWelcoming Remarks & Recognition of Special Guests (Chancellor, Provost)
  • Special Guest Speaker Remarks & Presentation (former Congressman Zach Wamp this year)
  • Class Response (SGA President)
  • Announcements of Graduates (segmented by college)
  • Alumni Congratulatory Remarks (Alumni Board President, Tom Losh ’71)
  • Credits
• Bonus Features –
  • Special 125th Anniversary Video
  • GOLD Alumni  Promo Video
  • MocsConnect Promo Video

If you have any questions regarding the DVD, please call the UTC Alumni Office at 423-425-4785 or 800/728-4882.

Join us at the 2011 GRADUATION CELEBRATION.

When?

Tuesday, March 22nd 11:00-5:00 and Wednesday, March 23rd 11:00-3:00.

Where?

UTC Bookstore

Details:

- Pickup your pre-ordered graduation regalia.
- Order your invitations, Official Class Ring and meet with many of your campus departments.
- Learn how to connect with the alumni community
- Grab some food to celebrate
- Enter to win great door prizes

Sponsored by the UTC Barnes & Noble Bookstore and the UTC Alumni Office.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How long does it take to walk through the Graduation Celebration?
A. It takes between 25 minutes to visit all the tables.

Q. Do I have to come to Graduation Celebration both days?
A. No, you should be able to walk through and visit everyone in one day.

Q. Are credit cards accepted as a form of payment?
A. Visa and Master Card are accepted at the UTC Bookstore, along with cash and personal checks.

Q. What should I wear for my portrait session?
A. Be clean and presentable. Nice attire is advised, but not required as your photos will only be from the torso up. Caps and gowns will be available for graduation portraits.

Q. Are parents allowed to come to Graduation Celebration?
A. Yes, parents are allowed to attend along with you.

Q. What if I cannot attend Graduation Celebration?
A. If you cannot attend the Graduation Celebration on either day you will need to obtain graduation items on your own from the bookstore. Information from other vendors/departments (alumni, graduate school, Balfour etc.) will need to be obtained individually as well. To check for stops and holds on your graduation you will need to visit the Registrar’s Office. To order your cap and gown you will need to visit the UTC bookstore (at regular price).  To purchase a UTC Official Class Ring click here.

Q. How do I become a member of the UTC Alumni Association?
A. All graduates of UTC are automatic participants in the University of Tennessee Alumni Association (system-wide) and receive the general UTC alumni benefits. In order to receive these benefits, graduates must have their UTC Alumni ID card. To get your card, please fill out the online alumni update form here.

Some of the most popular UTC alumni benefits include:

• Discount to the UTC Bookstore (apparel and merchandise – excludes food and books)
• Discounts to Mocs and Lady Mocs athletics events
• Discounts to UTC Arts & Culture events
• Access to UTC Alumni events
• Library access
• Choice Hotel Discounts
• Liberty Mutual Insurance Discount
• ARC Membership (special fee applies)

Q. How can I stay involved with the University after I graduate?
A. The best way as a recent alumnus/a to stay involved is to be a part of the UTC GOLD Alumni community. GOLD = Grads Of the Last Decade.  The UTC GOLD Council, a group of other grads from the last decade, help the Alumni Office organize services and programs to meet the interests of our most recent alumni. Learn more about UTC GOLD at www.utcgold.com. Be sure to join the UTC GOLD Alumni group on Facebook.

Stay Connected

UTCALUMNI.com

For more information call the UTC Bookstore at 425-4107 or email them at bkstennchat@bncollege.com

Photos from the May 7th 2010 Legends and Leaders Honors Dinner honoring Gordon Davenport, Jr. (Outstanding Service Award) and J. Michael Pearson (UTC Distinguished Alumnus).

//

On May 7th, the University community will gather at the 2010 Legends & Leaders Awards Banquet to recognize and honor two outstanding individuals who have both achieved great heights in their personal, career and community involvement.  These awards are to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the community and society (Outstanding Service) and whose accomplishments and career activities have reflected glory on UTC (Distinguished Alumnus/a).

This year’s Distinguished Alumnus is J. Michael Pearson ’77/’79.

Mr. Pearson earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice in 1977 and his M.S. in Criminal Justice in 1979, both from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  After serving several years as a police officer with the Chattanooga Police department, his law enforcement career rose to new heights when he was hired as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.  During his twenty plus years with the Secret Service, Pearson served on protective details for many high profile individuals, including U. S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush , Vice Presidents Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Dick Cheney. Pearson also provided protection for visiting heads of state including Presidents, Prime Ministers, Queens, Kings and Pope John Paul II. At the end of 2004, he retired from his last Secret Service position as the Resident Agent in Charge in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition to his career in law enforcement, Pearson has also served as an adjunct professor at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and at The University of Mississippi in Oxford. Currently Mr. Pearson is the Director of Tennessee Operations for Radiance Technologies Inc., a Defense and Homeland Security Contractor.

This year’s Outstanding Service Award recipient is Gordon Davenport, Jr.

In 2003, Mr. Davenport and his cousin Elliott Davenport purchased the Chattanooga area franchise for Burger King, including 18 local restaurants. His experience in this industry stems from his family’s involvement in building the Krystal and Central Park restaurant chains. Davenport formerly served as Vice President of Marketing and Development at Krystal Company. He and wife Kristy have been involved in several major contributions that have significantly impacted The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He currently serves on the UC Foundation and as a founding member of the Stadium Corporation and has also served on the UTC Chancellor’s Roundtable.

Please feel free to leave a congratulatory comment for our recipients below.

Charlie Buchanan (’02) and his wife Melissa announce the birth of their son, Samuel Charles Buchanan, on May 31, 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Roger Gibbens '91

Roger Gibbens (’91) was named to the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities by Governor Phil Bredesen. Gibbens will serve a three year term beginning in September 2009 and ending in 2012.  The goal of the council is to advocate for Tennesseans with disabilities and to work with the governor’s office and the Tennessee legislature on bills that would strengthen the efforts to support disability awareness and advocacy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Elizabeth Grace Carmichael

Stephen Carmichael (’01) and his wife Kelly announce the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Grace on February 4, 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Karen Dorne ('69 - first on right) participated in the 2009 National Senior Games.

Karen Dorne (’69) recently participated in the National Senior Games that was held at Stanford University. Karen qualifed to compete at the National Games when she won the Gold Medal in her home state of New Jersey.  She competed in the ladies doubles tennis events.   Read the rest of this entry »

Sarah (Guin) Lawhorn married Jason Lawhorn on August 8, 2009

Sarah Guin (’08) married Jason Lawhorn (current UTC MBA student) on August 8, 2009 at Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. Read the rest of this entry »

Alumna Jessica Hamblen (’04) announces the birth of her son David Ray Hamblen on June 4, 2009.

While on campus, Jessica was involved with Sigma Alpha Iota, Singing Mocs, Chattanooga Singers, Chamber Singers, Pep Band, Construction Specifications Institute UTC Student Chapter, and the American Society of Interior Design UTC Student Chapter.

If you would like to share a birth announcement (or other announcement), please fill out the Alumni Update Form or send an e-mail to letusknow@utc.edu.

Also, make sure to sign your little ones up for the UTC Baby Mocs Club and help them get started on their path to become future Mocs.