Though he’ll always carry a bit of blue and gold in his heart, Provost Phil Oldham was given a purple and yellow sendoff to celebrate his new role at Tennessee Tech University, where he will become the institution’s ninth President on July 1, 2012.
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield presented Oldham with a key to the city. Littlefield and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger proclaimed June 6, 2012, “Phil Oldham Day” with these words:
Whereas: Phillip Oldham has served The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs since 2007; and
Whereas: In this role, he served as an effective liaison between the campus and the community, representing the campus on a number of boards and committees aimed at improving the educational, economic, and cultural development and well-being of this region; and
Whereas: Under his leadership, enrollment at UTC grew 19.6 percent, including five consecutive years of record enrollment; and
Whereas: He led efforts to improve the University’s first-year retention rates, which jumped 12 percent in two years; and
Whereas: During his tenure at UTC, the University’s external grant funding has risen to $12.2 million in fiscal year 2011.
University and community friends also enjoyed remarks and presentations by: UT President Joe DiPietro; Dr. Katie High, UT Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success; Dr. Deborah McAllister, incoming Faculty Senate President; Kim White, President and CEO of RiverCity Company; Bradley Bell, incoming SGA President; and Chancellor Roger Brown.
Very best wishes to Dr. Phil Oldham, his wife Kari and their children!
