December 9-15, 2025
Updates and news for the week of December 9-15, 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
UTC to celebrate fall 2025 commencement
This week, UTC will celebrate fall commencement at McKenzie Arena, honoring the accomplishments of approximately 670 undergraduates and 160 graduate students earning their degrees. Many of the 198 undergraduate and 95 graduate students who completed their degrees in August are expected to return to campus to join in the celebration.
- The Graduate School commencement will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. Dr. Elaine Swafford, CEO of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy and a member of the UTC Advisory Board, will deliver the commencement address.
- The undergraduate commencement ceremony for all UTC colleges is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp will serve as the featured speaker.
From first-generation scholars to lifelong learners, this semester’s graduates embody the spirit of UTC. Learn more about several whose journeys stand out:
- Communication major Charles Kemp, who turned a student job on the University’s video team into a full-time position with the UT System Office of Communications and Marketing in Knoxville before graduation.
- Electrical engineering major Julio Gonzalez, a first-generation college student, whose extended journey to graduation included working full time, recovering from a serious car accident and earning national recognition for research conducted with TVA.
- Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success Stacie Grisham, who balanced full-time leadership at UTC with raising two children while completing her doctoral degree.
- Business administration major Shari Warren, who returned to college after four decades to finish what she started—earning her degree while working full time at TVA, recovering from heart surgery, and inspiring her children and grandchildren by proving it’s never too late to say, “I did it.”
- Psychology major Kristopher Ware, whose passion for mental health led to award-winning research and a new role with Chattanooga’s Mental Health Cooperative supporting youth and families.
- Computer science master’s student Daniel Duggin, who helped launch UTC’s first “AI for Everyone” course and played a key role in shaping campuswide artificial intelligence initiatives while completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Business administration major and U.S. Air Force veteran Durand Henderson, who found community at UTC through the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs—and plans to continue a family legacy of public service through a future career in foreign service.
- Communication major Matt McAllister, a transfer student who found his place at UTC after starting college during COVID-19, reflected on his journey in a self-written piece produced during his internship in the Division of Communications and Marketing.
Commencement ceremonies are open to the public and tickets are not required.
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Pedestrian path change for Founders, fletcher, race and hooper halls
Beginning today (Dec. 9), there will be a temporary change to the accessible pedestrian route between Founder’s Hall, Fletcher Hall, Race Hall and the UTC Library. Hoar Construction will extend fencing around two electrical manholes to complete critical work over the holiday break.
An accessible path will be provided via the Bretske Hall ramp. Updated fencing, temporary sidewalks near Race Hall and the new accessible route are shown on the attached plan.
- Blue indicates the updated fence line.
- Red shows temporary sidewalks near Race Hall.
- Green marks the new accessible route to and from the Library via the Bretske Hall ramp.
All paths are expected to reopen before students return to campus.
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Submit your events for Winter Welcome Week
Help welcome our new and returning students to the start of the semester by submitting your events to the 2026 Winter Welcome calendar online. Winter Welcome 2026 will be Jan. 12-16. If you are hosting an event or program during the first week of classes, please consider submitting your event to the official calendar found on the Winter Welcome website.
To submit an event, please complete this form. The deadline to submit events for the 2026 Winter Welcome calendar is noon on Friday, Jan. 2.
Email Laura Petrus with questions.
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Residential Meal Plan Portal Now Open
The Manage My Housing portal is open until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, for students to change their spring 2026 residential meal plan. Meal plan eligibility is based on earned credit hours. If your fall 2025 credits will change your student classification, please wait until final grades are submitted before you attempt to make a change.
The University classifies undergraduate students as freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors according to the number of credit hours the student has completed:
- Freshman: 0-29 semester hours
- Sophomore: 30-59 semester hours
- Junior: 60-89 semester hours
- Senior: 90 or more semester hours
The meal plans are listed by student classification. Please click here for that information.
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New federal ADA digital accessibility requirements take effect in April 2026
Beginning Friday, April 24, all government entities—including public universities—must comply with new ADA Title II requirements for digital accessibility. This update from the U.S. Department of Justice impacts websites, documents, videos, learning systems, mobile apps and other digital tools.
UTC is updating its IT0006 Accessibility policy to align with these federal standards. The UT System is taking a coordinated, systemwide approach involving the Office of General Counsel, Audit and Compliance, Technology Solutions, and campus subject matter experts to guide implementation and ensure compliance.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to begin identifying high-priority, public-facing digital content and review it for accessibility. A Central Hub page has been created with resources, guidance and ongoing updates as we prepare for the 2026 deadline.
Click here to learn more about ADA Title II compliance. Additional information and next steps will be shared by campus leadership as work progresses.
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2026 is just around the corner
The final Campus Weekly newsletter of 2025 hits email boxes next Tuesday, Dec. 16. Campus Weekly will resume its weekly Tuesday morning cycle starting Jan. 6.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Dr. Keith Bridges Congratulations to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in November. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $1,223,575 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $1,912,601 in external funding, if awarded.
Among those receiving awards in November was Dr. Keith Bridges in the Center for Community Career Education.
- Bridges received $325,656 from the US Department of Education for the project titled “Southern Appalachian Educational Opportunity Center (SAEOC).”
- Bridges received $241,332 from the US Department of Education for the project titled “Northwest Georgia Educational Opportunity Center (NWGEOC).”
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 Left photo: Chancellor Lori Bruce, Christopher Brown and College of Health, Education and Professional Studies Dean Valerie Rutledge Right photo: Provost Jerold Hale, Andre Yates and Chancellor Lori Bruce UTC has selected Christopher Brown from the School of Education and Andre Yates from Housing and Residence Life as the Moc’s Golden Feather Award recipients for September 2025. The Moc’s Golden Feather Award, launched earlier this year by the Office of Human Resources, recognizes staff members who provide outstanding service and contributions to make UTC a great place to work and learn.
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 Jermaine Freeman Jermaine Freeman has been appointed executive director of economic and workforce development, a new leadership position created to strengthen UTC’s role in regional talent development and economic progress.
A Chattanooga native who spent nine years in senior leadership roles with the City of Chattanooga—including service as chief of staff in the Mayor’s Office, as the city’s senior advisor for economic opportunity and as the city’s director of economic programs—Freeman has built extensive experience in economic and workforce development.
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Gary W. Rollins College of Business Dean Robert Dooley was named the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout by the Scouting America Cherokee Area Council. Director of Strategic Enrollment Technology Tonia Martin received a Silver Beaver Award.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Kumar Yelamarthi joined an episode of Jed & JR Mornings to discuss the UTC Master of Science in Engineering Management program certified by the American Society for Engineering Management.
- UTC Police Chief Sean O’Brien joined a podcast episode hosted by Brink Fidler, founder and president of active shooter training company Defend Systems.
- News 12 Now’s “What’s Right With Our Schools” covered UTC’s College Quest event.
- School of Professional Studies Director Elizabeth O’Brien spoke to Jed & JR Mornings about Gen Z employees in the workplace.
- UC Foundation Associate Professor of Civil and Chemical Engineering Jejal Bathi discussed the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Facility’s installation of new, energy-efficient generators for a NewsChannel 9 story.
- The Times Free Press published a story about Jermaine Freeman’s appointment as UTC’s executive director of economic and workforce development.
Mark Your Calendar
 Photo credit: Ray Soldano/gomocs.com This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Tuesday, Dec. 9: Men’s Basketball vs. Oakwood (AL), McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 15: Mocs Club Chat With the Mocs, Miller’s Ale House (Hixson), 96.1 FM, 7 p.m.
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UTC’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet via Zoom at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11. For a list of the proposals that will be considered, log on to Curriculog and select the “University Undergrad – Dec. 11, 2025” agenda.
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The Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Entrepreneurship in UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business is excited to announce the third year of Mocs Innovate: The Harris Chair Seed Fund for Innovation. This mini-grant program is designed to foster inventive research and entrepreneurial initiatives on campus. UTC faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $4,000 to support new ideas with commercialization potential.
The Mocs Innovate mini-grant program aims to inspire and support creative projects at all stages of development and is open to any UTC faculty or staff member with innovative ideas that demonstrate clear pathways for licensing or entrepreneurial ventures. By providing up to $4,000 in funding, the Mocs Innovate initiative seeks to accelerate the development of ideas that can have a meaningful impact both within and beyond the University.
Click here to learn more. The deadline to apply for this cycle of grant funding is Monday, Dec. 15.
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The Lookout Wild Film Festival (LWFF) is coming to the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall Jan. 15-18.
LWFF presents stories of diverse people who seek, explore and protect wild places. Across four days and seven screening blocks, the festival will showcase thrilling outdoor adventures, environmental stories and character-driven films from around the world. Whether you’re into climbing, paddling, mountain biking, conservation or simply discovering something new with friends, there’s a block of films for you. Click here to watch the 2026 festival trailer.
Students can purchase tickets and passes at LWFF.org or through the Fine Arts Center box office, open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students should use the code LWFF2026 for discounted pricing. Come for one block or make a weekend of it to see why Chattanooga’s own outdoor film festival has become a winter tradition.
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Career Connections invites on-campus employers to participate in a part-time job fair during Winter Welcome Week. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the University Center Tennessee Room.
The fair is an opportunity to meet students seeking part-time, on-campus positions and to bring new talent into your department. On-campus employers interested in participating can contact Community and Employer Relations Specialist Jillian Duke for registration details.
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The UTC Graduate School announced that the following students will be presenting their final works of research as advanced degree candidates. Everyone is invited to attend.
- Wednesday, Dec. 10: Keith Brewer, Zoom, 10 a.m., Calendar
- Wednesday, Dec. 10: Caleb Bagby, Zoom, 1:30 p.m., Calendar
- Monday, Dec. 15: Deidra Close, Zoom, 9 a.m., Calendar
Campus Updates
In August, the UTC campus experienced a criminal act intended to cause disruption, chaos and trauma. While similar incidents have impacted other institutions across the country, UTC was among the first targeted this academic year—serving as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and collective resilience.
At the direction of University administration, UTC will now require mandatory Active Violence Response Training for all regular full-time employees (faculty and staff) and affiliated staff (Aramark, Barnes & Noble and Canon). This marks the first year the training is mandatory for the campus community.
To assist in delivering the program, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has partnered with Defend Systems, a life safety and security consulting firm specializing in active shooter response and emergency preparedness. The training will focus on emergency awareness, critical response actions and strategies that improve survivability. Click here to register for a session.
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The Office of Research Integrity has announced a new go-live date for DASH Research IRB: Feb. 16. Below are key deadlines to support the transition to the new submission system.
- Monday, Jan. 5: Investigators are encouraged to submit new IRB applications by this date, though there is no formal cut-off.
- Monday, Jan. 12: For studies expiring before Feb. 28, investigators who plan to continue the study should submit an Application for Changes by this date to avoid a lapse in approval.
- Monday, Jan. 19: The IRB recommends returning any pending revisions by this date to allow adequate review time.
- Tuesday, Jan. 27: Only IRB submissions that are fully approved by 5 p.m. will be moved into DASH Research IRB. Any submissions not approved by that time must be resubmitted in the new system after go-live.
- Monday, Feb. 16: All new IRB applications must be submitted through the DASH Research IRB module.
For questions or assistance, contact Baley Whary at irb@utc.edu or 423-425-5867.
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In January, the University will transition its room reservation software from EMS to 25Live. To accommodate this transition, there will be some reservation availability changes in EMS in the coming weeks.
- Users will no longer be able to reserve space in EMS for any meetings or events happening after Saturday, Feb. 28. Reservations for dates past Feb. 28 can be made in the new system once it goes live in January.
- Sunday, Dec. 14, will be the last date to submit reservations through the EMS web portal. For last-minute space needs between Dec. 15-19, users can reach out to the department that manages the space. General inquiries about space reservations can be sent to spaces@utc.edu.
The EMS reservation shutdown on Dec. 14 will allow existing 2026 reservations to be moved into 25Live. The ability to make new reservations for spring 2026 will resume when 25Live launches campus-wide on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Further information and training resources will be shared in the coming weeks to support users during the transition to the new system.
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UTC Veteran and Military Affairs has partnered with BJ’s Wholesale Club in Hixson to support the Holiday for Heroes campaign. The goal is to reach 200 memberships and raise funds for veteran and military-connected students as part of the Holiday for Heroes event series.
Participants can receive a discounted BJ’s membership while giving back to UTC Veteran and Military Affairs. To join, scan the QR code or click the flyer link, or call 800-313-8887 and use group code 827042 to ensure your sign-up counts toward UTC’s campaign.
Sign up here by Jan. 30 to secure pre-club opening discounts. Spread the word—every membership helps support our veterans.
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Interested in UTC’s multidisciplinary Learning and Leadership (LEAD) doctoral programs? Join a virtual information session hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Crawford, LEAD programs advisor, and Dr. David Rausch, LEAD programs director.
Register here to receive an Outlook calendar invite with the Zoom meeting link.
Applications for the summer 2026 Ph.D. and Ed.D. cohorts will be accepted now through Friday, Feb. 27. Step-by-step application instructions and additional details, including FAQs, will be available on the LEAD program websites. For questions, email utclead@utc.edu.
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Support a survivor and help protect the planet at the same time. The UTC Police Department is collecting used cell phones, tablets, laptops and other small electronic devices—working or not—to be securely wiped and either recycled or refurbished for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Through a partnership with the 911 Cell Phone Bank, refurbished devices are provided with two months of prepaid service at no cost to the victim, with low-cost renewal options available afterward. So far this year, more than 90 victims, advocates and forensic nurses in Hamilton County have received phones, laptops and iPads through this program.
Donations can be dropped off anytime in the UTC Police Department lobby, open 24/7.
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If you’ve ever spotted a pale pink or brown lizard clinging to the wall of a building, or even hiding out in a sink, you’re not alone. These small reptiles with banded tails and padded toes are Mediterranean house geckos, a non-native species that has quietly made its home in Chattanooga for nearly two decades. This includes many buildings at UTC.
If you have spotted a Mediterranean house gecko, click here to report the sighting.
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Housing and Residence Life is looking for resident assistants for the spring 2026 academic semester and the 2026-2027 academic year. RAs are students who work and live in the residence halls to provide resources, programs and support to their fellow students. This position offers free housing, a meal plan and a stipend. Being an RA is a great way to get involved on campus and develop transferable skills for your future career. Visit utc.edu/ra to learn more.
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The R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Program is a national self-defense course that focuses on awareness, prevention, risk reduction and realistic hands-on training. Classes are taught by certified UTC Police and Public Safety instructors.
- Free for students, faculty and staff
- No experience necessary
- Emphasis on safety and empowerment
- Offered multiple times throughout the year
Click here or email Marion Perkins to register or learn more.
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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 2026-2027 cohort will begin coursework in May 2026. Please contact Deborah McAllister or click this link for project details.
UTC Newsroom
Uniquely situated in a place where campus and the Fort Wood Historic District overlap, the Patten House entered UTC history in 1948, when it was bequeathed to the University through the estate of its owner, Zeboim “Bome” Charles Patten. Shortly thereafter, the Music and Art departments were the first University occupants to utilize—and marvel at—the spacious interior of Patten’s former residence, known for many years as “Z. C. Patten Hall.” A student of the time wrote that the building “leaves a lasting impression because of its large-scale splendor and the perfection of its smallest detail.”
In his role as University archivist, UC Foundation Associate Professor Noah Lasley works to acquire, arrange and describe official UTC records and other valuable materials that document the University’s history and functions.
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Students from five UTC classes filled the UTC Library’s Roth Reading Room on a recent Thursday evening for a collaborative zine fest, an event showcasing projects from courses taught by UC Foundation Professor and Associate Department Head of English Sybil Baker, Assistant Professor of Sociology Natalie Blanton, Associate Professor of History Susan Eckelmann and Assistant Professor of Anthropology Emma McDonell.
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 Noah Dillon When Noah Dillon walked out of a UTC spring job fair in January 2024, he immediately called his dad. He had just finished speaking with the NASA Office of Inspector General at its pop-up booth, and something about the conversation clicked.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
- Students in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at UTC recently practiced real-world sales pitches to build confidence and develop professional skills. Lecturer Libby Fakier organized the week-long exercise to practice pitches through a simulated meeting.
- Students at UTC often dread the phrase “finals week.” There are resources available on campus to conquer those fears.
WUTC
 Malcolm Key (left), Clara Paulson, Addison Middleton and Billy Weeks Malcolm Key, Clara Paulson and Addison Middleton, students in Rising Rock––a multimedia storytelling class––showcased their stories on WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” alongside their lecturer, Billy Weeks.
IN Memoriam
Long-time Assistant Athletics Director for Equipment and Facilities Mike Royster passed away on Friday, Dec. 5. Mike served UTC for 47 years before retiring in July 2021. A fixture of UTC athletics, Mike was beloved for his decades of dedication, guiding generations of student-athletes, student managers and coaches. His legacy endures through the Mike Royster Student Manager Endowment—a scholarship benefiting future managers that honors his commitment. A celebration of life visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel from 6-9 p.m. His full obituary is available here.
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This section is reserved for memorial announcements of current and former UTC employees as the Office of Communications and Marketing becomes aware. To publish an announcement, a publicly available obituary must be provided. Please send any announcements to Vice Chancellor JAy Blackman at jay-blackman@utc.edu.
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