Academic year 2015-2016 is in full swing and our campus is energized with new and returning students, faculty and staff.
As you all know, we held our second-annual Mocs Games on Friday, August 7th. Faculty and staff competed for the honor of winning the much-desired Mocs Games’ trophy. All scores have been calculated, and it is my great pleasure to announce the winning group: Campus Services. The second and third place winners are Career and Student Employment Center and Nursing, respectively. Congratulations to all!
The first Coffee with the Chancellor of the year will be held next Wednesday, September 2nd from 8:00-9:30 a.m. in the UTC Development Office, located at the corner of Vine and Douglas Streets across from Fletcher Hall. This is an open-door event meant for casual dialogue. Please stop by as your schedule allows and bring your ideas, questions and concerns. There is no set agenda, this is just an opportunity to ask what is on your mind.
UTC will observe Founders’ Day on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. As part of the celebration, I will be giving a State of the University address at 12:30 p.m. in the University Center’s Auditorium. The Student Alumni Council will also host a birthday celebration and serve cake in Chamberlain Pavilion from 11a.m. to noon and 1:15p.m. to 2:00p.m.
UTC was again chosen as the only public university in the State of Tennessee to be named a College of Distinction. This award is chosen based on four characteristics/criteria, including: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. We should all be proud of this achievement – it truly is a recognition of the hard work of all of our faculty and staff (for more see: https://blog.utc.edu/news/2015/08/utc-named-2016-college-of-distinction/).
Last week many of you received an email from UTC’s Title IX Coordinator, Stephanie Rowland, regarding Mandatory Reporter training available via UTC Learn for all faculty and exempt staff. Thus far more than 400 individuals have finished the internet module. I encourage all of you to take the time to learn about this important issue so that UTC can be better prepared to assist students who are affected by incidents of sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking.
UTC Takes Over Nightfall will be held on Friday, September 4th in Miller Plaza starting at 6:30 p.m. with a pep rally attended by the marching band. UTC coaches and football players will also be introduced and the Mockingbirds will make an appearance. Come out to support our team and share in the excitement building up to our first game of the year – versus the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, on Saturday, September 5th at 6 p.m. in Finley Stadium. Go MOCS!