August 18-24, 2026

Updates and news for the week of August 18-24, 2026

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.

UTC News  |  UTC Events Calendar  |  Campus Updates  |  In the Media

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Highlights

A NEW SEMESTER TAKES FLIGHT

With the new semester beginning next week, UTC is preparing to welcome students back before classes start.

Following Operation Move In on Aug. 19 and 20, students can look forward to Convocation, a welcoming event at the McKenzie Arena on Friday, Aug. 21, that marks the beginning of their time at UTC.

Check out the First Flight Schedule for times to pick up educational resources, school supplies and swag, take minibus tours of downtown Chattanooga, and catch Scrappy’s Shuttle to Walmart for last-minute supplies. Weeks of Welcome begins with the Oak Street Roast at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.

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VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED FOR WEEKS OF WELCOME 2026

Weeks of Welcome 2026 is returning with two weeks of events designed to welcome students to campus, and faculty and staff are invited to get involved.

Faculty and staff are also needed to volunteer at two signature Weeks of Welcome events:

• Oak Street Roast: 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Chamberlain Field. Volunteers will help welcome more than 2,000 students as they kick off the new semester. Click here to sign up.
• Welcome Tables: One-hour shifts are available on Aug. 24-25 to greet students, distribute snacks and water, and share Weeks of Welcome information. Click here to sign up.

Contact Laura Petrus with any questions about Weeks of Welcome.

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Measles: What you need to know 

Measles is highly contagious—even more so than COVID-19. To ensure campus is healthy, it is vital that you know your immune status by verifying your vaccination records or laboratory proof of immunity.

Take action today:

• Check your status: Log in to the UTC Medicat Patient Portal to review your records.
• Need a blood titer? If you do not have documentation of immunity through vaccination, call UTC Health Services at 423-425-2266 to schedule a blood test.
  • Titers can be billed through insurance or paid out of pocket for $11
•  Feeling sick? Do not walk into the clinic. Call first to help protect others.

UTC reports that 98% of students on campus have immunity, which serves as a strong shield for the community. Having immunity significantly reduces the chances of getting measles and keeps you from needing to be quarantined for up to 21 days if you are exposed.

Click here for more information.

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Get your textbooks with MocsBooks

UTC has launched the MocsBooks Total Access Program for undergraduate students beginning in fall 2026. The new course material delivery program provides required materials for participating courses by the first day of class, with costs included on the university billing statement at $22 per credit hour. The program is expected to save students 35-50% compared to purchasing materials individually. Click here to learn more.

How it works:

• Register for classes as usual.
• Approximately one month before classes begin, students will receive an email from the bookstore partner with instructions for reviewing courses and selecting how they would like to receive materials.
• The UTC Bookstore will prepare course materials and notify students when they are ready.
• Physical materials can be picked up at the UTC Bookstore or shipped directly to students.
• Digital materials will be available through Canvas.
• Students with rental materials will receive reminders about return deadlines at the end of the semester.

Benefits include:

• Lower costs on required course materials
• Access to course materials by the first day of class
• Digital materials delivered directly through Canvas
• One streamlined process for obtaining required course materials

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Go further with UTC’s Fee Waiver

Finishing a degree. Building new skills. Investing in your future. Whether you’re growing personally or preparing for your next opportunity, UTC’s Employee Fee Waiver can help you get there–covering maintenance fees and tuition for eligible employees taking courses at UTC, another UT System institution or a TN Board of Regents/Locally Governed Institution. Click here to learn more about utilizing your fee waiver benefits.

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SEND IN YOUR INFORMATION FOR THE UTC PARENT AND FAMILY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

It is time to recruit campus partners to send information for the UTC Parent and Family Association newsletter, a monthly roundup distributed to more than 5,400 parents and family members.

To share information with the families of UTC students—including upcoming events, important deadlines, helpful suggestions and departmental news—email Hannah Turcotte by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The September newsletter will be emailed to members on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

• Please keep submissions to one paragraph of 200 (or fewer) words.
• Images or logos to accompany the paragraph may be submitted.
• Click here to see a sample of a recent PFA newsletter.

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STARBUCKS IS OPEN

Ty Jones works behind the Starbucks counter with Elliot Jenkins.

The UTC Starbucks has reopened following renovations. Stop by to check out the refreshed space and grab your favorite drink from a familiar face.

Since 2016, Ty Jones has worked at the campus Starbucks, remembering coffee orders and greeting customers by name. Jones sees her job as a way to befriend and uplift the campus community, especially during stressful moments. To her, the UTC Starbucks is one big family where everyone is welcome—and caffeinated, of course.

Outstanding People of UTC

Dr. Amber Roaché

Congratulations to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in July. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $1,924,108 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $31,046,592 in external funding, if awarded.

Among those receiving awards in July was Dr. Amber Roaché (Nursing), who received $632,091 from the Health Resources and Services Administration for the project titled “Clinical-Academic Partnerships: Breaking Down Barriers to Care 2023-27.”

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Dr. Erkan Kaplangolu (left) and Chris Stokes. Photo courtesy of UT System.

Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu and Christopher Stokes were honored at a UT President’s Award event last week in Nashville.

Kaplanoglu, department head and professor of engineering management and technology, was recognized in the “Optimistic and Visionary” category. Stokes, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life in the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community, earned the President’s Award in the “Embrace Differences” category.

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Dr. Matt Matthews

On July 1, Dr. Matt Matthews became UTC’s interim provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, returning to a campus where he spent 20 years as a faculty member and academic leader before joining the UT System.

For many across UTC, Matthews’ return feels less like an introduction than a homecoming. His appointment brought back a familiar presence at an important time for the University, pairing institutional knowledge with a broader perspective he gained while serving as UT System associate vice president for academic affairs.

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Charlie Mix, director of the UTC Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science, is featured in a new Chattanooga Tree Project video highlighting the collaborative effort to expand Chattanooga’s urban tree canopy. Mix and UTC researchers use geospatial data science and artificial intelligence to help identify where new trees will have the greatest impact in addressing urban heat and tree canopy loss.

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Dan Earl (right)

Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball head coach Dan Earl and sophomore guard Tate Darner were featured in an all-access summer episode of SoCon Fast Break, highlighting the program’s offseason, outlook for the upcoming season and behind-the-scenes activities. The episode also includes one-on-one interviews with Earl and Darner.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• Mechatronics student Austin McDade joined Jed & JR Mornings to discuss a mobility chair he made for 2-year-old Amelia Aiken, who has cerebral palsy.
• Visiting archaeology lecturer AJ Van Slyke and students Tom Laufenberg and Faith Johnson were featured by NewsChannel 9 and Jamaica’s publication Our Today to talk about their research contributing to an episode of Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown.”
• Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall discussed his research on electricity affordability in Tennessee for the Times Free Press.
• UC Foundation Associate Professor of Political Science Saeid Golkar spoke to CNN and The Wall Street Journal about the U.S. conflict with Iran.

Mark Your Calendar

Photo credit: GoMocs.com

Upcoming Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Today (Aug. 18): Volleyball Blue Gold Scrimmage, Maclellan Gym, 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 23: Soccer vs. Austin Peay, Finley Stadium, 1 p.m. 

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Singing Mocs is UTC’s contemporary commercial a cappella choir, specializing in pop and jazz vocal styles. They rehearse from 4:20-5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a highly select choir, but there are a few open spots for the fall semester, namely in the soprano and bass sections (though altos and tenors are encouraged to audition as well). Auditions will be held on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25. For more information about the audition and to sign up for a time, please use this link.

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Make plans to attend the Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor (URaCE) fall welcome events.

• Wednesday, Aug. 26: Meet the URaCE team and explore research opportunities on campus and beyond at the Welcome Week Social from noon-1:30 p.m. in the UTC Library Courtyard.
• Thursday, Aug. 27: Join student researchers at the Welcome Week Student Research Panel from 4:30-6 p.m. in Library Room 435 to hear about their research journeys and how they have leveraged their experiences to secure additional opportunities. RSVP here.
• Wednesday, Sept. 2, and Thursday, Sept. 3: The UTC Virtual Fall Student Research Conference will be held on the Symposium by ForagerOne platform. The conference will showcase research and creative works by graduate students and undergraduate students who participated in summer research programs in the United States and abroad. Contact the Office for URaCE to learn more about presenting a project.

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UTC departments seeking student employees are invited to participate in the Part-Time Job Fair during Weeks of Welcome. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, in the University Center Tennessee Room and provides an opportunity to connect with students looking for part-time employment opportunities on campus.

Departments interested in participating can contact Marli Wolff, assistant director of community and employer relations, for registration information.

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The Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science will host its fall 2026 seminar series beginning Monday, Aug. 31. Seminars are held every Monday from 12:40-1:35 p.m. in Holt Hall, Room 229, and are open to all.

Fall 2026 speakers include:

• Aug. 31: Dr. Stelios Chatzimanolis, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, UTC
• Sept. 14: Dr. Azad Hossain, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, UTC
• Sept. 21: Dr. Yingfeng Wang, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UTC
• Sept. 28: Dr. Hope Klug, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, UTC
• Oct. 5: Nyssa Hunt, Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab, UTC
• Oct. 19: Dr. Ryan Fritts, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, UTC
• Oct. 26: Dr. Erin McKenney, Applied Ecology, NC State University
• Nov. 2: Dr. Jae Park, Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Nov. 9: Prof. John Tucker, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, UTC
• Nov. 16: Ryan Davenport, University of New Hampshire
• Nov. 23: Dr. Jane Kenney-Hunt, Department of Biology, Valparaiso University
• Nov. 30: Speaker to be announced

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House Calls, an Enrollment Management and Student Affairs initiative created to help ease the transition for students experiencing challenges or having questions about life on campus, returns Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 5-8 p.m. Orientation will be held at 5 p.m. in the University Center Tennessee Room, then moves to University halls from 6-8 p.m.

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Photo courtesy of Derek Daniel/GoMocs.com

Kickoff times and promotions have been announced for the Chattanooga Mocs’ 2026 home football schedule at Finley Stadium:

• Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee Tech, 6 p.m.
  • Future Fans Night (free admission for children 12 and younger)
  • Annual Little Mocs Walk
  • Light-up rally towel giveaway for the first 1,000 fans
• Sept. 19 vs. Wofford, 6 p.m.
  • White Out Game
  • UTC Fall Family Weekend
  • Mocs Flock Finley
  • Academic Night
• Oct. 10 vs. Samford, 1 p.m.
  • Salute to Heroes
• Oct. 31 vs. VMI, 1 p.m.
  • Halloween with the Mocs
  • Scrappy Kids Club Day
  • Senior Day
• Nov. 7 vs. Mercer, 1 p.m.
  • Homecoming
  • Fan Appreciation Game
  • Band Day

Season tickets are on sale now through GoMocs.com.

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Yuval Levin

Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to the 2026 Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture featuring political thinker and author Yuval Levin.

Drawing from his book “American Covenant,” Levin will discuss how the U.S. Constitution was designed to help a diverse nation navigate disagreement and how its principles of debate, compromise and self-government can help address today’s political and civic divisions. Levin is director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, editor of National Affairs and a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times.

The lecture begins at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in the University Center Auditorium. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Click here to register. For more information, contact Dr. Josh Ammons.

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Jazz pianist Benny Green opens the UTC LIVE! season in a benefit concert for WUTC-FM 88.1.

The UTC LIVE! season opens Thursday, Sept. 17, with jazz pianist Benny Green performing a benefit concert for WUTC-FM 88.1 in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall. Born in New York City and raised in Berkeley, California, Green began performing professionally as a child and later worked with Betty Carter, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard and the Ray Brown Trio. He also recorded with Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall and has continued leading his own trio and recording as a bandleader.

UTC LIVE! will move most of its 2026-27 performances to Cadek Hall, giving the series a smaller setting that better fits the artists and programs it presents.

Known for bringing noted artists to campus who are outside the mainstream, UTC LIVE! will present jazz, Danish folk music, a historically informed Beethoven program and a marimba recital, with most of the season taking place in Cadek Hall’s 217-seat recital hall—a space especially well suited for piano, jazz and other acoustic performances. The smaller setting also brings audiences closer to the stage, allowing eye contact between performers and audience members.

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Undergraduate Admissions announced its fall 2026 recruitment event schedule. Faculty and staff are encouraged to save the dates and help spread the word to prospective students and families

• • Sept. 30: Power C Tour – Nashville/Franklin
  • Oct. 8: Power C Tour – Memphis
  • Oct. 21: Power C Tour – Knoxville
  • Oct. 28: Power C Tour – Chattanooga
  • Nov. 14: Blue and Gold Preview

Welcome to UTC

The following employees joined UTC in July:

• Gagandeep Singh – Assistant Professor, Chemistry
• Md Masuduzzaman – Postdoctoral Researcher, Multiscale Material Modelling and Design, Mechanical Engineering
• Rebecca Brantley – Curator and Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art and Faculty Associate, Art
• Shawn Bingham – Dean and Professor, Honors College
• David Metrio – Director of Strings and Visiting Associate Professor of Practice, Music
• Sarah McKnight – Academic Coordinator, Center for Student Accessibility
• Michael Lardizabal – Academic Advisor I, College of Arts and Sciences Student Success Center
• Pin Hsuan Chen – Assistant Women’s Golf Coach, Women’s Golf
• Harry Warner – Assistant Director of Athletic Performance, Athletics Administration
• Allyson Cristine Beckman – Senior Compliance Officer, Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility
• Emily Brianne Johnston – Senior Study Abroad Advisor, International Education
• Victoria Honeycutt – Counselor, Counseling Center
• Jonathan Tyler Deloach – Service Assistant I, Campus Improvements Non-Capital
• Lee Williams Weldon – Vice Chancellor and Executive Director, UTC Foundation
• Edwin Kurjak – Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach, Women’s Track and Cross Country
• Aubrey Rachelle Frazier – Executive Director, Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community and Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Kaiya Walls – Regional Admissions Counselor, Recruitment
• Riley Younger – Administrative Support Specialist, Chancellor’s Office

Campus Updates

Third-year physical therapy student Nathan Krough, along with faculty and students from the Physical Therapy program, recently volunteered with SPARC during Adaptive Water Ski Day.

Those volunteer hours helped the UTC community surpass 1,500 hours for the 1886 Challenge as students return to campus this week. Keep submitting your volunteer hours and photos through the 1886 Challenge page. You can also view all submitted photos in the photo gallery at the bottom of the 1886 Challenge page.

The 1886 Challenge calls on faculty, staff and students to collectively contribute 18,860 hours of community service during the 2026-27 academic year. The initiative highlights service already taking place across the University through volunteer work, mentoring, service-learning and outreach.

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The first Gold Friday was a big success, thanks in large part to the Facilities Planning and Management team, pictured above. Gold Fridays are a new tradition inviting all UTC faculty, staff and students to wear gold and show their Mocs pride every Friday throughout the year.

Be sure to submit your group photos by clicking here so they can be featured and celebrated in future Gold Friday highlights.

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The UTC Campus Orchestra is seeking violin, viola and cello players for the fall semester. Whether you’ve been playing for years or simply want to continue making music, the orchestra offers an opportunity to perform, connect with fellow musicians and keep your skills sharp. No audition is required; a skill evaluation will take place during the first class.

The orchestra meets from 2:30-4:05 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Cadek Hall, Room 200. The first rehearsal is Thursday, Aug. 27.

Complete the sign-up form to participate. For questions, contact David Metrio.

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UTC is continuing the transition from Gmail to Outlook as part of the Google to Microsoft 365 project. Mailbox migrations began in March 2026 and have continued throughout the summer in weekly batches. Most current and new student accounts have now been transitioned to Outlook for email, with a small number of migrations still in progress.

Student action items:

• Check MyMocsNet and your student email for notices about the status of your mailbox migration.
• Review the guide for accessing your student email during and after the transition.

Frequently asked questions:

• FAQ for Returning Students (Enrolled Spring & Summer 2026)
• FAQ for New Students (Accepted Fall 2026)
• FAQ for Faculty and Staff

If you experience issues with your email, you can:

• Visit the IT Solutions Center in Maclellan Gym.
• Submit a request for account assistance.
• Call 423-425-4000 and press 3.

For general questions about the Google to Microsoft 365 transition project, contact the migration team.

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Our Microsoft 365 environment will soon include a new feature to help keep your inbox free of clutter by automatically redirecting graymail to a separate “Promotions” folder. Graymail is email from legitimate senders that you may have signed up to receive but do not regularly read. Examples include emails from vendors, store promotions, newsletters and advertisements.

The new Promotions folder will automatically appear in Outlook once the feature is enabled in late August. For easy access, add the folder to your Favorites list or move it closer to the top of your folder list. For more information on this new feature and tips for managing your email, click here.

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The University of Tennessee System’s Great Place to Work® Trust Index© Survey is open through Monday, Aug. 24. A random sample of employees across the UT System was selected to participate in the confidential survey, which takes about 12 minutes to complete.

Responses are reported only in aggregate and will help guide efforts to strengthen workplace culture across the UT System. Employees selected to participate should look for an email from Great Place to Work with the subject line “Great Place to Work® Trust Index© Survey.”

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A new DASH TDX Training Hub is now available, providing a centralized resource designed to support the campus community.

The Training Hub brings together knowledge and expertise from multiple departments to create a single location for training and support resources. Whether you’re new to DASH or looking for guidance on specific processes, the hub provides easy access to:

• Step-by-step instructions
• Job aids and reference guides
• Helpful links and resources
• Frequently used documentation

The Training Hub will continue to evolve as new information, enhancements and training materials become available. Faculty and staff are encouraged to bookmark the site, refer to it whenever assistance is needed and share it with colleagues across campus. Feedback is also welcome as the Training Hub continues to grow and improve.

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The Department of Physical Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics Program and the Center for Wellbeing have teamed up for the third interdisciplinary wellness program, the Mocs Wellness Initiative, for full-time UTC faculty and staff. The Mocs Wellness Initiative is part of a research project approved by the UTC Institutional Review Board.

Key program content includes:

• Physical therapy evaluation and weekly training at the ARC
• Nutrition assessment, nutrition classes and individual counseling
• Health coaching
• Group cooking class
• Optional lab work and blood testing
• Unlimited ARC membership
• Participation in a UTC-approved research study

The program runs September 2026-April 2027, with weekly training on Thursdays from 3:30-5:15 p.m. It may be especially beneficial for employees managing a new health diagnosis, such as high blood pressure or pre-diabetes/diabetes, or those looking for support in building sustainable healthy habits.

The cost is $100 for employees earning less than $50,000 annually. Employees earning $50,000 or more pay the $200 ARC membership fee. Prior participants are not eligible, and space is limited.

Click here for more program information and click here to apply. For questions, contact Betsy Myers.

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UTC will kick off a yearlong celebration of its 140th anniversary on Founder’s Day, Sept. 15, honoring the University’s history while highlighting its continued impact on Chattanooga and beyond.

As part of the celebration, the campus community is invited to participate in two anniversary initiatives:

• 1886 Challenge: Faculty, staff and students will work together to complete 18,860 hours of community service during the anniversary year.
• 140 Community Events for 140 Years: UTC will recognize and support 140 community-focused events led by faculty, staff and students that strengthen connections with the Chattanooga community.

Additional information about Founder’s Week events, the anniversary initiatives and ways to participate will be shared in the coming weeks.

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Have a rock, mineral or fossil you’d like identified? The UTC Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science is hosting free identification nights every Monday from 5-7 p.m. on the first floor of Grote Hall (701 Vine St.).

Visitors should enter through the double doors on the exterior of the building. Free parking is available in Lot 10 after 5 p.m.

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Registration is now open for Chattanooga Connect 2026, the UTC Research Institute’s (UTCRI) third annual conference that brings together leaders from government, industry, academia and entrepreneurship to explore the future of transportation, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and connected mobility.

Hosted Sept. 14-16 in Chattanooga, Chattanooga Connect will convene national experts, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders to share how emerging technologies are moving beyond research and pilot projects into real-world deployment. The three-day event will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, technology demonstrations and collaborative discussions focused on advancing practical, scalable solutions to some of today’s most pressing infrastructure and mobility challenges.

For registration, conference information and sponsorship opportunities, visit go.utc.edu/cc or email utcri@utc.edu.

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All aboard the UTC train! Did you know UTC has a custom train? This unique piece of campus history is available for campus and community events.

From parades, pep rallies, tailgates and more, the UTC train could bring the ultimate blue and gold energy to your next activity. To request the train for an event or to volunteer to become an official conductor, email Laura Snyder.

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The Working Families Tax Cuts Act of 2025 includes significant changes to federal student aid programs for enrollment periods beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Updates include new federal loan borrowing limits for students and parents, a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), changes to Pell Grant eligibility and revisions to FAFSA need analysis.

UTC has launched a dedicated resource page with information about the legislation and its potential impact on students. The page will be updated as additional guidance becomes available. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the website regularly for the latest information.

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Want to learn more about the Mosaic Program? The Mosaic team is visiting departments across campus to share program updates, introduce new staff members and answer questions about supporting UTC’s neurodiverse community—all while bringing cookies.

Departments interested in hosting a Cookies and Conversation session can scan the QR code on the flyer to schedule a visit.

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Adobe Stock Image

As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of day-to-day work across industries, the UTC Center for Professional Education will offer two online programs in September to help working professionals build practical AI skills for different needs and experience levels.

The two offerings are AI Essentials with Prompting, a live online workshop scheduled for Sept. 15 and Sept. 17, and CompTIA Security AI+ Certification Prep, an eight-week live online course that begins Sept. 19. Together, the programs give learners two entry points into AI-related professional development: one focused on broad workplace fluency, productivity and responsible use, and one designed for cybersecurity professionals working in a threat environment increasingly shaped by AI. Click here for more information or to register.

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Love to read? The UTC Book Club invites faculty, staff and students to connect through monthly book discussions and shared reading. Building on the success of the campus group, a new community initiative—Chatty Book Club—will launch in August with the goal of bringing readers across Chattanooga together through a shared monthly book selection, discussion questions and local meetups. Follow the UTC Book Club and Chatty Book Club on Instagram for updates.

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Department announced in April a multi-year extension of its successful apparel partnership with Adidas through BSN SPORTS. An exciting benefit of this renewed partnership is that all University departments and campus organizations can now purchase adidas apparel directly through BSN SPORTS at discounted pricing.

Whether you are outfitting your department, student organization or campus event, BSN SPORTS can help with customized adidas apparel and promotional products. This partnership with Adidas is an option for campus organizations to use, but it is not required. Items purchased through BSN help the athletics program reach benchmarks that unlock additional benefits as part of the agreement. 

For assistance with orders or to learn more about available products and pricing, please contact our BSN SPORTS representative, Garrett Ferrel, at 765-652-4052. The athletics department looks forward to expanding the benefits of this partnership across campus while continuing to strengthen the Mocs brand through adidas and BSN SPORTS.

UTC Newsroom

More people than ever before chose to invest in UTC during fiscal year 2026, making it the largest donor year in University history. A record 7,645 donors contributed $29,347,792 to support UTC students, faculty and programs between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The University also engaged 57,883 alumni through events, communications, volunteer opportunities and philanthropic support, reflecting continued momentum in strengthening lifelong connections with Mocs around the world.

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Dr. Courtney Crittenden

What if the best textbook for UTC students was written specifically for them and it was free? UC Foundation Professor of Criminal Justice Courtney Crittenden created one for criminal justice students.

Crittenden, a UTC faculty member since 2015, used her professional development leave in fall 2025 to create a free textbook and a full course package for CRMJ 1100: Introduction to Criminal Justice.

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Dr. Kristen Singletary

Dr. Kristen Singletary knows that the first path you take doesn’t always lead you to your destination. Sometimes you must reroute, even though it may not be the quickest or easiest way forward. 

This is a message that Singletary—a clinical associate professor, director of the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and a three-time alum of the UTC—wants to instill in her students. 

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AJ Van Slyke (left)

Years of research by UTC archaeologists and students culminated in a Discovery Channel expedition to search for the lost ships of Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts. Archaeologist Andrew J. (AJ) Van Slyke and his students, Tom Laufenberg and Faith Johnson, along with a team of volunteers, contributed to an episode of “Expedition Unknown.”

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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:

• With the fall semester about to get underway, UTC welcomed its newest faculty members during the annual New Faculty Dinner at the Hunter Museum of American Art. Hosted by Academic Affairs, the gathering brought together approximately 130 attendees, including new faculty and University leadership, for an evening of introductions and conversation.
• At the UTC, one of the easiest ways into Chattanooga’s outdoor culture starts inside the Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC). Through trips, rentals and events, UTC Outdoors helps students find their footing in a city built for climbing, paddling, hiking and exploring

WUTC

David Newbould

Canadian-born Americana singer-songwriter David Newbould joins Clark Gibson for the latest episode of WUTC’s “Live in the Library.” Now based in Nashville, Newbould performs live in the studio during the program, recorded at the Chattanooga Public Library.