April 15-21, 2025
Updates and news for the week of April 15-21, 2025
The UTC Campus Weekly newsletter is distributed every Tuesday morning. If you have news, events or announcements you would like shared with campus, please submit your information to Peyton Schultz (peyton-l-schultz@utc.edu) in the Division of Communications and Marketing by 3 p.m. on Friday for placement in the following Tuesday’s newsletter.
Highlights
JOIN THE MOCS MEN’S BASKETBALL PARADE
Join the Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team as they parade through the city streets before gathering at Miller Park for a city-wide celebration, starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 17.
The parade will begin at Mabel Street, turning right onto Martin Luther King Boulevard and left onto Georgia Avenue, ending at Miller Park. Free public parking is available behind the Bessie Smith Cultural Center (200 E. MLK Blvd.).
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UTC earns Top 10 national recognition for military student support
For the first time in school history, UTC has been ranked among the nation’s Top 10 large public universities in the Military Friendly® Schools rankings—a designation that recognizes excellence in creating sustainable and meaningful educational paths for military-connected students.
UTC earned Top 10 Gold Military Friendly® School status for 2025-26, ranking No. 10 nationwide and first in the Southeast Region. The University was also designated as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for its continued efforts in supporting military families.
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Commencement Marshals
We are looking for a handful of faculty or staff to serve as marshals at each of our undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 3.
If you would like to volunteer to be a marshal, please register here and indicate which commencement ceremony(ies) you are available to marshal.
Marshal duties include lining up students before the ceremony, leading students into the arena at the start of the ceremony, and directing students from their chairs to the stage and back during the ceremony. Marshals will need to arrive one hour before the ceremony starts, so schedule accordingly. We will have a marshals lunch and training session on Thursday, May 1. Attendance is not required but highly encouraged.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Dr. Hamdy Ibrahim Congratulations to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in March. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $269,478 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $1,656,434 in external funding, if awarded.
Among those receiving awards in March were Dr. Hamdy Ibrahim (Mechanical Engineering) and Dr. Stephanie Philipp (School of Education), who received $111,968 from the National Science Foundation for the project titled “Hybrid Surface Coating Toward Corrosion-Controlled Magnesium-Based Implants.”
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 Front row from left: Vice President Bridgette Greene, Student Body President Beeta Baghaevaji and Treasurer Ivy Whitten. UTC’s 2025-2026 Student Government Association leadership has been announced. Student Body President Beeta Baghaevaji will serve alongside Vice President Bridgette Greene and Treasurer Ivy Whitten. They will be joined by 21 senators representing UTC’s academic colleges.
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 2025 Social Work Day on the Hill Master of Social Work policy presentation contest winners Ashley Spruill and Halen McGregor. Two UTC graduate students—Ashley Spruill and Halen McGregor—were recognized as winners of the statewide Master of Social Work policy presentation contest at the 2025 Social Work Day on the Hill.
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 Kevin Tugman Kevin Tugman joined the Division of Communications and Marketing last week as the director of creative services.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Joshua Tyler, a computational engineering doctoral candidate at UTC, spoke with Local 3 News about an encryption he developed to fight data breaches.
- Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall discussed how tariffs will affect the Chattanooga area economy for a NewsChannel 9 story.
- Dr. Elizabeth O’Brien joined an episode of Jed & JR Mornings to discuss the new Netflix series “Adolescence” and the effects of social media and bullying.
- A NewsChannel 9 segment of This ‘N That featured UC Foundation Assistant Professor Kristi Wick to talk about the MobileMOC health clinic.
Mark Your Calendar
 Photo of the men’s tennis team plus seniors courtesy of Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Tuesday, April 15: Softball vs. Lipscomb, Frost Stadium, 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16: Men’s and Women’s Tennis—Southern Conference Tournament, Champions Club (3400 Lupton Dr.), all day
- Wednesday, April 16: Softball vs. Tennessee State, Frost Stadium, 5 p.m.
- Thursday, April 17: Men’s and Women’s Tennis—Southern Conference Tournament, Champions Club (3400 Lupton Dr.), all day
- Friday, April 18: Men’s and Women’s Tennis—Southern Conference Tournament, Champions Club (3400 Lupton Dr.), all day
- Saturday, April 19: Men’s and Women’s Tennis—Southern Conference Tournament, Champions Club (3400 Lupton Dr.), all day
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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions about UTC’s Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics, Master of Accountancy, and Business Analytics Certificate graduate programs. The Rollins College of Business graduate programs provide flexible course options and exclusive career advancement resources to elevate your education and propel your career.
MAcc Information Sessions
MSM Information Sessions
MSDA Information Sessions
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The UTC Library will host a wellness-focused event at 2 p.m. today (April 15) in UTC Library Room 101 to celebrate the launch of a new collection of objects designed to support student wellness and mental health.
Students can now check out items such as mood lights, meditation radios, weighted blankets and noise-canceling headphones for three days to help manage stress and sensory input. The event will feature a discussion with students, library staff and campus partners about using campus resources to support wellness in and out of the classroom.
Refreshments will be available, along with giveaways and a chance to win hammocks, portable meditation radios and other wellness items.
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Mocs Marketplace will host a pop-up shop from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, April 16-17, on the sidewalk between Founders Hall and Chamberlain Field.
More than 20 student entrepreneurs from across campus will be selling their products and services. Stop by to shop and support your fellow Mocs.
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Associate Scientist Will Buckingham will speak at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, in Fletcher Hall Room 109, hosted by the Journey Health Foundation Research Center.
Buckingham will discuss how disadvantaged neighborhoods face higher risks of health conditions and explore how tools and data resources can inform policies to address these disparities. Register here.
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Only two sessions remain in CPE’s Spring 2025 CHAIN Lunch and Learn Series. Attendees can enjoy lunch, network with other local professionals and explore how AI can improve productivity in both professional and personal life.
Sessions are held on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and the final two topics include:
- Thursday, April 17: “AI in the Workplace – Transforming Industries, Practical Tools, and the Future of Workplace AI”
- Thursday, May 15: “AI and Society – Global Challenges, Environmental Impacts, and a Responsible Future”
The cost is $25 per session and includes lunch. Departments may pay with a transfer voucher after registration. Visit the CHAIN webpage or call the Center for Professional Education at 423-425-4344 to register or for more information.
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Collegiate Recovery Week is April 14-18, and 11.5% of UTC students identify as being in recovery from alcohol or other drugs. Mocs Recovery invites the campus community to show support through the following activity:
- Thursday, April 17: Affirmation Rock Garden, Chamberlain Plaza/Library Courtyard, 1-3:30 p.m. Rocks and paint will be available for anyone who would like to contribute. Painted rocks can also be dropped off at the Mocs Recovery student lounge in Stacy Town Center (open Monday-Thursday 1-7 p.m., Friday 1-4 p.m.).
Wear purple throughout the week to show support for students in recovery. Post on social media and tag @mocsrecovery to share your message.
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The final Quantum Journal Club meeting of the semester will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, in the math department conference room (Lupton Hall Room 308).
Dr. Boyu Zhou from the Department of Physics at the University of Arizona will present on the paper “Quantum Estimation Utilizing Bayesian Techniques and Quantum Error Correction.” The talk will explore how Bayesian methods improve quantum sensing precision in challenging scenarios, such as low-data environments, and how quantum error correction techniques can help mitigate the effects of noise and decoherence. Topics will include applications in transmissivity sensing, phase estimation, quantum imaging and distributed sensing protocols.
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On Monday, April 21, the Office of Title IX Compliance and the Center for Women and Gender Equity invite you to participate in Denim Day by swapping your usual work attire for your favorite pair of jeans. Denim Day is a global event aimed at showing solidarity with victims of sexual assault and challenging the harmful attitudes that contribute to rape culture.
Denim Day began in 1999 after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction, ruling that the victim’s jeans were too tight to have been removed without consent. In protest, members of the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work, launching an international movement for justice and awareness.
From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Lupton Hall, stop by the Denim Decorating Party to get creative by decorating denim with empowering messages and symbols or making fun denim-themed crafts. It’s a fun and impactful way to show your support and raise awareness while connecting with others.
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Ever wonder what a registrar does all day? Have questions for a registrar?
Faculty and staff are invited to join the registrars for open discussion of the roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Registrar and explore ways we can work together to best serve UTC.
The next session will take place from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, in Hunter Hall Room 215.
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 Dr. Henry Spratt The Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science will celebrate 30 years of excellence in teaching and research by Dr. Henry Spratt at a retirement party in his honor from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, in the University Center Chickamauga Room. We hope you will be able to join us.
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Class of 2025, join the Office of Alumni Affairs on Thursday, May 1, for a special send-off as we honor your upcoming graduation. Bring your family and friends to the beautiful Wolford Family Athletic Center for complimentary appetizers and drinks, and enjoy a relaxed evening celebrating your achievements. Register here.
As part of the celebration, which begins at 4 p.m., you’ll receive free gifts with registration:
- A professional headshot courtesy of UTC alumnus Christopher Shaw
- An exclusive Power C Alumni pint glass
- A fun graduate Scrappy sticker
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The Walker Center for Teaching and Learning will host the 2025 Instructional Excellence Conference on Tuesday, May 6, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Michelle Miller.
Miller is a cognitive psychologist, researcher and author whose work supports higher education faculty in creating effective and engaging learning experiences. Her books include:
- “Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology” (Harvard University Press, 2014)
- “Remembering and Forgetting in the Age of Technology: Teaching, Learning, and the Science of Memory in a Wired World” (West Virginia University Press, 2022)
- “A Teacher’s Guide to Learning Student Names: Why You Should, Why It’s Hard, How You Can” (University of Oklahoma Press, 2024)
She is a professor of psychological sciences and a President’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Northern Arizona University.
Click here to register for the Instructional Excellence Conference. This event is free for UTC faculty, lecturers and adjuncts.
Campus Updates
Please take a few minutes to complete a survey about the UTC Library. The library has used past survey feedback to improve reservable rooms, increase hours and purchase new materials. Now it’s your chance to help make the library even better. Click here to share your suggestions and feedback. You can enter to win one of two $50 Starbucks cards when you complete the survey before Thursday, April 17.
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The Disability Resource Center is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to help proctor during finals week, a high-volume time in the DRC testing center. Due to increased demand, additional space is reserved in the University Center, which is not equipped with cameras for proctoring.
Volunteers can sign up for one or more time slots using the form linked below. Proctors are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes early for instructions and may be in a testing room for up to three hours. Many volunteers find the time ideal for catching up on email or quiet work.
Click here to sign up. We cannot do this important work without you.
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Operation Move In (OMI) 2025 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 13-14, in first-year residential spaces across campus. This marks a return to a campus-wide collaboration to welcome UTC’s newest Mocs this fall.
OMI is an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and organizations to come together and create a warm, supportive environment for incoming students and their families. A campus-wide committee is being formed to coordinate the two-day event. Volunteer roles will include unloading, parking, traffic flow, greeting and more. There will be follow-up communication to request volunteers for OMI.
For more information, contact OMI committee chair Jason Harville.
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The National Science Foundation Noyce Track 2 fellowship project is accepting applications from STEM-degreed professionals to prepare to teach secondary mathematics and science through the Master of Education degree program. The 2025-2026 cohort will begin coursework in May. Please contact Deborah McAllister or visit this link for project details.
Click here to read about Andrew Calkins, who is pursuing a master’s degree in education thanks to the Noyce Fellowship program.
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The Center for Wellbeing launched its Mental Health Ally training program for faculty and staff to recognize employees on campus who are engaging and learning how to best support our students’ mental health. Trainings included in the Mental Health Ally program are QPR (one hour), Suicide Prevention Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (one hour), Psychological First Aid (one hour) and Mental Health First Aid (eight hours). Complete trainings and receive recognition on campus for your dedication to improving outcomes for students.
Recognition tiers:
- Certificate of completion: Every training
- Mental health ally sticker to display: Complete QPR, Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, and Psychological First Aid
- Mental health ally sweatshirt: Complete Mental Health First Aid
- Mental health ally recognition on Center for Wellbeing website and Campus Newsletter: Complete all four trainings
If you have questions about this program, please reach out to Amy Kyriakidis or Megan McKnight.
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The Department of Chemistry and Physics and the UTC Quantum Center are hosting a quantum summer camp from May 27-30 for high school students entering the 10th and 11th grade. A registration link will be available soon.
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Starting in July, rising second to sixth graders in the Challenger Exploration Camp will have the opportunity to participate in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) challenges, rocket launches and explorations of space and Earth. Each day, campers can also go on excursions to locations such as the Chattanooga Zoo, the UTC Aquatic and Recreation Center, the Clarence T. Jones Observatory and the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
To learn more about the Challenger STEM Learning Center and to access a link to the Challenger Exploration Camp, visit this link.
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The UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science will host the Summer Algebra Enrichment Program for rising 8th through 11th graders from July 7-18 at the CECS building (735 Vine St.). The program runs from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. each day and the cost is $75 per student.
This two-week experience is designed to strengthen algebra skills and introduce students to career pathways in engineering, computer science and other STEM fields. The program includes Algebra 1 instruction led by experienced educators, mentoring sessions with UTC students and hands-on career exploration activities. Space is limited to 30 participants and registration is required.
For more information or to register, click here or contact CECS Outreach Coordinator Alex Coker.
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Upcoming Transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11: Microsoft will be ending support for the Windows 10 operating system on October 14. After that date, there will be no more security updates, feature updates or technical support for Windows 10. To prepare for this, Information Technology will be gradually upgrading all UTC owned Windows 10 devices to Windows 11 this year, with full completion expected by October. For more information on the Windows 11 project timeline and upcoming next steps for faculty and staff, visit our Knowledge Base – Windows 11 articles.
UTC Newsroom
 Richard Zhang UTC alumnus Richard Zhang has made a significant gift to the Honors College to provide annual $2,000 scholarships for all students in the Innovations in Honors (IIH) program. A triple major and former Brock Scholar, Zhang credited his honors education at UTC for shaping his success and called the donation “the best investment I could possibly make.” His gift ensures IIH students receive the same level of scholarship support as Brock Scholars, setting UTC’s Honors College apart statewide and nationally.
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The energy was lively and the excitement contagious inside the Wolford Family Athletic Center as students, faculty and guests packed the space for a day of research and discovery. The annual Spring Research and Arts Conference at UTC turned the spotlight on projects from across a handful of disciplines as UTC personnel and community members presented their work exploring nearly every imaginable topic.
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 Emma Sutherland (left), Sydney Banks, Zoie Denton, Jim Tanner, Trevor Jolley and Mallori Crocker at the NIT. On Thursday, April 3, the UTC men’s basketball team won the first National Invitation Tournament in University history. When the 85-84 overtime victory occurred, handfuls of reporters, sports writers, photographers and videographers were in attendance to capture the moment.
Among them were five UTC communication students—Mallori Crocker, Sydney Banks, Zoie Denton, Emma Sutherland and Trevor Jolley—who traveled to the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to capture content and represent their student media groups.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
- The 2025 Scholarship Luncheon brought together UTC scholarship recipients and the donors who support their education.
- Excitement and eagerness filled the air at UTC as hundreds of prospective students and their families explored campus during Blue and Gold Preview Day.
- Four students from the UTC Department of Music were recently recognized for their talent at the 2025 Mid-South Region National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions held at Morehead State University in Kentucky. The event, which draws top collegiate vocalists from across Tennessee and Kentucky, includes a range of classical and musical theatre performance categories determined by age and years of vocal study.
- Two teams of students from the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science’s ENME 1850 introductory design course recently brought home top honors from the 2025 American Society for Engineering Education Southeastern Section Conference at Mississippi State University.
- UTC continues to make significant strides on the global stage of cybersecurity and digital forensics by coordinating the 2025 International Symposium on Digital Forensics and Security, to be held this year at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.
WUTC
Mark L. Brooks, a UTC alum and author of “Laying Autumn’s Dust: A Southern Tragedy About Betrayal, Revenge, and Murder,” spoke with Richard Winham for an episode of WUTC’s “Open Book.”
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