Dear Colleagues,
The semester is nearly half over and Spring Break is March 13-17. Last Friday we held our annual UTC Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony to honor outstanding achievements by our alumni athletes, student athletes and friends of the program. This event was established to recognize outstanding contributions to our intercollegiate athletics program. Athletics Hall of Fame Special awards were presented to Fred and Ruth Obear, Bryan Patten, John Bonner III, and Derrick Craine. Five former Moc athletes were also inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Thanks to staff members in Athletics and Alumni Affairs for their work in organizing a wonderful event. Read more about all of the 2017 Hall of Fame winners.
UTC participated in the 11th UT Day on the Hill last week in Nashville. Along with President DiPietro and other members of his staff, I was able to visit with several state lawmakers to make the case for higher education. The theme for this year’s event focused on how UT campuses and institutes support our national security. The system story featured an interview with one of our ROTC students. Thanks to Mocs Battalion Cadets Rebecca and Mason Beebe for their participation. They represented our ROTC program and our campus well.
During the noon-time reception in the legislative plaza, I had five different people tell me that their child, or their good friend’s child, was a UTC student. They were all extremely positive about the incredible experience these students are having at UTC and wanted their “Thank You” relayed to our campus. THANK YOU to all of the UTC faculty, staff and students who do such an outstanding job each and every day. People are noticing that great things are happening at UTC!!
We are fortunate to have many outstanding young women students on our campus. The Inspiring Women in Lifelong Leadership Award (I WILL) gives recognition to UTC women student leaders. These students show exemplary leadership skills by incorporating social justice and gender equity in all they do. They share responsibility to encourage those around them to create positive change on the UTC campus. Nominate a student for this honor by March 6.
Finally, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is seeking nominations for the Harold Love Outstanding Service Award. The Love Award honors the late Tennessee Representative Harold Love, Sr. and is awarded to higher education faculty, staff or student demonstrating exemplary public service. If you would like to nominate someone, review the nomination and application procedures, complete the application, and submit the required documentation to Teresa McKinney (Teresa-McKinney@utc.edu) in my office by March 9.