February 17-23, 2026

Updates and news for the week of February 17-23, 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

UTC LAUNCHES NEW CAMPUS SAFETY SYSTEM

Safe@UTC, the new campus safety smartphone app, provides students, faculty and staff with direct access to safety resources. The app allows users to directly connect with the UTC Police via one-touch panic button functionality, anonymously report suspicious activity, initiate a remotely monitored Safe Walk, request a Safe Ride and quickly access other campus resources. The new app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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UTC storymap selected as finalist in global ArcGIS competition

UTC’s Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science (CAGDS) has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition, earning international recognition for an interactive mapping project that uses geospatial data science and artificial intelligence to guide where trees are planted across the city.

“Mapping Chattanooga’s Urban Forests,” a StoryMap created by GIS Director Charlie Mix, documents how UTC researchers, city leaders and nonprofit partners are using data to address urban heat and tree canopy loss. The public is invited to cast a vote for the Community Choice Award through March 10.

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FIRESIDE CHAT WITH DR. MATHEW KNOWLES

Dr. Mathew Knowles—former UTC basketball player, renowned music executive and father of global artists Beyoncé and Solange—will return to campus for a moderated fireside conversation at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall at the UTC Fine Arts Center (doors open at 5:30 p.m.).

Moderated by Vice Chancellor Stacy Lightfoot, the discussion will focus on leadership, entrepreneurship and health, with audience-submitted questions and brief closing remarks from Chancellor Lori Bruce.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available here. In addition to Friday’s event, Knowles will spend time with students, alumni and community partners throughout his visit, including recognition at the UTC men’s basketball game on Feb. 28.

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

It is again time to recruit campus partners to send in 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—upcoming events, important deadlines, helpful suggestions and departmental news—email Hannah Turcotte by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The February newsletter will be emailed to members Wednesday, March 4.

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Participate in the Spring Research and Arts Conference

The UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 15, in McKenzie Arena. The conference will showcase research and creative works by UTC undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, with presentation formats including posters, arts displays and a limited number of oral presentations.

UTC faculty, staff and students are invited to present research or creative projects at the conference. The deadline to submit a project for presentation is 11 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Additional ways to participate include:

Visit the conference website to view key dates, presenter guidelines, register a class visit or sign up to volunteer. Contact conference organizers for additional information.

Outstanding People of UTC

Dr. Hemangi Mavadiya teaches in UTC’s Master of Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics program.

Dr. Hemangi Mavadiya has been named Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year by the Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND), a local professional organization affiliated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The award recognizes excellence in teaching, mentorship and contributions to the preparation of future nutrition and dietetics professionals.

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Abby Clark (middle) standing with her mentors, Becky Dubose and Brittany Haynes, at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

A UTC student will walk in the footsteps of history and learn from today’s heroes after being awarded a Medal of Honor Teacher Fellowship. Abby Clark, a junior from Franklin, Tennessee, was selected as the first preservice teacher to receive a fellowship from the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

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Mocs spirit squads with their medals and trophy in Orlando.

The Chattanooga Mocs Cheerleaders and Sugar Mocs delivered a standout performance on the national stage last month, earning third place overall in the UCA/UDA College Open Spirit Game Day Division at the 2026 UCA/UDA College Nationals. Competing against nine Division I programs from across the country, the Mocs advanced to finals with a clean, high-energy preliminary routine in one of the nation’s most competitive collegiate spirit championships.

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Chad Camper (photo credit: Chattanooga Athletics)

Congratulations to women’s tennis head coach Chad Camper on earning his 100th career victory at UTC with a 6-1 win at Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 7. The Mocs are off to a 5-1 start in Camper’s 10th season with the Mocs.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

  • Director of Emergency Management Brett Fuchs discussed UTC’s new safety app, Safe@UTC, for the Times Free Press, News 12 Now, NewsChannel 9 and Local 3 News.
  • Dr. Louis (Dutch) Fayard, associate professor of accounting, did a Q&A about zero-based budgeting with WalletHub.
  • Coordinator of Career Engagement Megan Cales was featured by Teknovation.biz for her Brooks Band design, a wearable device to help individuals on the autism spectrum.
  • Dr. Jose Barbosa, professor in the Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, talked to NewsChannel 9 about Tennessee lawmakers’ push to establish a constitutional right to grow food at home.
  • Steve Ray, head of the Department of Theatre and artistic director of the UTC Theatre Co., joined Jed & JR Mornings to discuss the upcoming UTC Theatre Co. musical “Alice by Heart.”
  • Randall Coleman, director of bands and head of the Department of Music, spoke to Jed & JR Mornings about the wind ensemble’s upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
  • School Psychology Program Director Amanda Hardin joined Jed & JR Mornings to talk about the Rural Assessment Intervention Library (RAIL).
  • Adolph S. Ochs Professor of Government Michelle Deardorff spoke to NewsChannel 9 about a proposed Tennessee bill.

Mark Your Calendar

Photo credit: Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

  • Thursday, Feb. 19: Women’s Basketball vs. Western Carolina, McKenzie Arena, 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 20: Softball vs. Cornell (Frost Classic), Frost Stadium, 3 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 20: Softball vs. Gardner-Webb (Frost Classic), Frost Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 21: Softball vs. Cornell (Frost Classic), Frost Stadium, 1:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 21: Women’s Basketball vs. UNC Greensboro, McKenzie Arena, 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 21: Softball vs. UIC (Frost Classic), Frost Stadium, 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Feb. 22: Softball vs. Gardner-Webb (Frost Classic), Frost Stadium, noon
  • Monday, Feb. 23: Chat With the Mocs, Miller’s Ale House (Hixson), 96.1 FM, 7 p.m.

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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions for the Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics, and Master of Accountancy graduate programs. Rollins College of Business graduate programs offer flexible course options and exclusive career support resources designed to advance your education and career.

MSDA Information Sessions

MBA Information Sessions

MAcc Information Sessions

MSM Information Sessions

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The Journey Health Foundation Research Center will host a data summit from 9:30 a.m.-noon today (Feb. 17) in the Wolford Family Athletic Center.

The event will bring together faculty, students, community organization leaders and business partners to explore how data can help communities better understand and respond to everyday factors that influence health and well-being across Chattanooga and the surrounding region. Registration is available here.

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Dr. Xiunan Wang is organizing a Mathematical Biology Webinar Series as part of her NSF LEAPS-MPS program, supporting learning and engagement with mathematical modeling in biological systems. Hosted online, the series is open to undergraduate and graduate students, educators and others interested in the intersection of mathematics and biology, and features speakers from a range of institutions and career stages.

The upcoming webinar from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, will feature Dr. Hao Wang, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical Biosciences and professor at the University of Alberta, presenting “Stoichiometric Theory with its application in Methane Biogenesis.” Wang also serves as director of the Interdisciplinary Lab for Mathematical Ecology and Epidemiology (ILMEE) and leads a research team focused on ecological stoichiometry, disease transmission modeling and environmental systems.

Upcoming webinar dates:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 25, 4-5 p.m.: Dr. Suzanne Robertson, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Wednesday, March 4, 2-3 p.m.: Dr. Sebastian Stockmaier, UT Knoxville
  • Wednesday, March 25, 3-4 p.m.: Dr. Veronica Ciocanel, Duke University

Click here for Zoom links, passwords and additional details.

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The Center for Wellbeing offers a monthly lineup of training sessions for faculty and staff. If interested, please sign up here. Trainings counting toward completion of the Mental Health Ally Program are noted with an asterisk (*).

The Center is happy to schedule trainings for specific teams or departments at other times throughout the year. Reach out to Megan McKnight with questions or to request a training.

  • *Thursday, Feb. 19: Psychological First Aid (Zoom), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 26: Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone (Mocs Recovery Lounge at Stacy Town Center), 11 a.m.-noon
  • Friday, Feb. 27: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for Faculty and Staff (Zoom), noon-1 p.m.

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Information sessions are taking place for the Fall 2026 International Business Semester Abroad in Singapore, open to Rollins College of Business students. Participants will study at Singapore Management University (SMU), ranked among the top institutions globally for business and management, and choose from a wide range of courses in business, economics, social sciences and more—taught in English in small, interactive classes. The program runs from Aug. 13-Dec. 6, 2026.

Information sessions will be held:

  • Thursday, Feb. 19, 12:30 p.m., Fletcher Hall Room 109 and Zoom
  • Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m., Fletcher Hall Room 109 and Zoom

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Career Connections will host the following professional development workshops in Fletcher Hall Room 109:

  • Thursday, Feb. 19, Resume Basics for Internship Applicants and Resume Refresh: Turning Class Projects into Experience, learn how to build or refresh your resume by turning class projects, group work and campus involvement into strong, internship-ready experience, 2-3 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 26, Career Fair Ready Workshop, get fully prepared for the career fair with a polished elevator pitch, networking strategies and practical tips to confidently approach employers, 10-11 a.m.
  • Wednesday, March 4, How to Follow Up After an Interview, master professional follow-up techniques, including how to write impactful thank-you emails, proper timing and what to say (and avoid) after your interview, 3-4 p.m.

Students interested in attending any of these sessions should email Megan Cales to register or learn more.

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The Innovations in Honors program is looking for currently enrolled students interested in joining the UTC Honors College in fall 2026. Students can learn more by attending an upcoming informational drop-in session in the Guerry Center Reading Room on the following dates:

  • Friday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-noon
  • Monday, Feb. 23, 3-4 p.m.

Students are encouraged to stop by to learn more about the program, ask questions, meet current students and review application requirements. For more information, contact program director Dr. Jordan King.

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The Chemistry Department’s seminar series continues with Medicinal Chemistry on Friday, Feb. 20, featuring Dr. David S. Lawrence, Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His talk, “Light-Targeted Drug Delivery: Illuminating the Path from Concept to Clinical Launch,” will take place at 2:30 p.m. in Grote Hall Room 411.

The series will also include Radiochemistry with Dr. Dale Ensor on Friday, March 27, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Grote Hall Room 411.

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Lionhearts Fitness will host a public screening of the 30-minute documentary “Lionhearts Movie” on Saturday, Feb. 21, in the UTC Auditorium. Screenings will take place at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., with the 2 p.m. showing followed by a Q&A session and meet-and-greet. The event is free and open to the public.

The film tells the story of Lionhearts Fitness, a youth-founded nonprofit centered on mentorship, community service, resilience and mental health awareness through sport and leadership. UTC student Luccketta co-founded the organization, which provides free OCR/Ninja-style fitness programming for youth. Produced by Chris Moreland of Build Something Media, the documentary highlights the impact of belonging, purpose and positive adult mentorship on young people and families.

The screening is part of Lionhearts Fitness’ community outreach initiative to expand awareness of the film and its mission while gathering audience feedback. Pre-registration is available here.

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Career Connections and the School of Education will host Teacher Recruitment Day from 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the University Center Tennessee Room. Students are invited to network with more than 35 school districts and schools.

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As part of a weeklong celebration of recovery at UTC, students, faculty and staff are invited to a Recovery Block Party from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, on Vine Street. The event will feature recovery resources, therapy dogs, free coffee and popcorn, offering a chance to celebrate the many pathways students take toward wellness and the importance of campus spaces where they feel supported and encouraged.

“I’m Harper Bizzell and I’m a junior at UTC,” one student shared. “I have been going to the Mocs Recovery lounge on a regular basis for about a year now and it has made my day to day life better and much more manageable. I have struggled with addiction alone for many years and it’s been through Mocs Recovery where I have found a community that truly cares and supports me. I frequent support meetings like All Recovery and SMART every week and look forward to events that the lounge has going on. I truly love this place, it’s a big part of my life.”

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Scrappy’s Cupboard is open and operational for the spring semester and is now located in University Center Room 278. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All UTC faculty, staff and students are welcome to visit. Patrons may use Scrappy’s Cupboard once per month, no questions asked.

The next Scrappy’s Markets will take place from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, on the second floor of the University Center. Upcoming spring markets will be held from 2-4 p.m. in the University Center on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, March 11
  • Tuesday, March 24
  • Wednesday, April 8
  • Tuesday, April 21

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Annie Mitchell as Alice and Teagan Bartz as Alfred star in the UTC Theatre Co.’s upcoming production of “Alice by Heart.” Photo courtesy of UTC Theatre Co.

A story of imagination forged under pressure takes the stage later this month when “Alice by Heart,” a musical set against the backdrop of the London Blitz during World War II, comes to the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre. 

Performed by the UTC Theatre Co., “Alice by Heart” runs at 7:30 p.m. from Feb. 24-28, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 28. 

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here and through the UTC Fine Arts Center Box Office—in person or by phone at 423-425-4269. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors. 

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The Turtle Island Quartet

The Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet will perform Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall as part of the UTC Live! concert series. 

Founded in 1985, the Turtle Island Quartet is widely recognized for redefining the possibilities of the classical string quartet by blending classical technique with contemporary American musical styles. The ensemble has earned Grammy Awards for Best Classical Crossover Album and has built an international reputation for performances that draw from jazz, folk, bluegrass, Latin, rock, funk and improvisational traditions. 

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance can be purchased online and through the UTC Fine Arts Center Box Office. 

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UC Foundation Associate Professor Saeid Golkar will present “Protest, Repression, & Human Rights in Iran: What the Current Uprisings Reveal About the Regime’s Future” from noon-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Derthick Hall Room 201. Sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Public Service, the talk will examine how Iran’s current protest cycle sheds light on state repression, security institutions and human rights implications, as well as what these dynamics suggest about the regime’s future. The event is free and open to the public.

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Dr. Rahul Soni, a postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University Bloomington, will present at the next Quantum Colloquium Series meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, in the UTC Library Room 435. Attendees can expect a talk aligned with his recent research. View his publications on Google Scholar for more information. Visit the Quantum Colloquium Series website for event updates and additional details.

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The Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise will host Steve Forbes for a lecture titled “How Free Enterprise, Not Government, Made America Great” at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, in the UTC Fine Arts Center.

Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, will explore the principles of economic freedom through the lens of some of the country’s most influential entrepreneurs. There will be time at the end for a Q&A, moderated by UTC Probasco Chair Claudia Kramer. Registration information is available here.

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“Drawing the Future from the Past,” an exhibition highlighting student work from UTC’s Interior Architecture and Design program, will be on view through Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Landis Education Gallery (30 Frazier Ave.).

The exhibition features projects from a two-semester capstone sequence in which students research historically significant buildings and develop adaptive reuse proposals informed by architectural, cultural and social context. Students collaborate with professional mentors, architects, historians, code officials and building owners, as well as community partner Preserve Chattanooga, to create design solutions that support preservation advocacy and potential community revitalization.

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“Take Five 2026: Americans Abroad” invites the UTC campus and broader community to take part in a shared reading experience exploring what happens when Americans travel abroad—for both high and low adventure.

Upcoming selections and presenters include:

  • Tuesday, March 3: Will Kuby presents “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith
  • Tuesday, March 24: Verbie Prevost presents “Daisy Miller” by Henry James
  • Tuesday, April 7: Bryan Hampton presents “The English Experience” by Julie Schumacher

All sessions take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday evenings in the University Center Tennessee Room. A light dinner will be served. Books may be ordered through any online retailer or at the UTC Bookstore. Questions can be directed to Aaron Shaheen.

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The Institute for Contemporary Art presents “The Cupola Project,” an exhibition on view through Friday, March 6. Initiated in 2023 by artist and professor Martijn Van Wagtendonk as a sculpture assignment at the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, the project has grown to engage more than 45 students and faculty from diverse disciplines.

Inspired by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi, “The Cupola Project” integrates engineering, science, language, music, philosophy and kinetic sculpture into a large-scale interactive structure. Constructed with mortise-and-tenon joints, the work has continued to evolve over recent years. Designed with portability in mind, Cupola functions like a mobile fairground attraction, easily assembled and disassembled to travel and engage audiences.

The ICA is free and open to the public from noon-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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UTC Innovations in Honors students are hosting a family-friendly music and dance event, “Dancing Through the Decades,” from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at the Carver Community Center. The event will serve as the introduction to an intergenerational mentorship program connecting teens, young adults and seniors in Chattanooga through S.T.E.A.M.-based engagement opportunities.

College-aged students are especially encouraged to attend to learn more about participating in the future program. Clubs, organizations and individual students interested in volunteer or community engagement opportunities can find more information here. Those who would simply like to attend are invited to join the celebration.

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Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to register for the UT Innovative Technologies Symposium, taking place Tuesday through Thursday, March 24-26, at the Knoxville Convention Center. Hosted by UT’s Office of Innovative Technologies, the three-day event will focus on everyday IT challenges, shared interests and emerging solutions while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among higher education IT professionals across Tennessee.

The symposium will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities with peers, industry experts and technology companies serving higher education. The event is open to all Tennessee higher education institutions; a $150 registration fee applies to non-UT attendees. Learn more and register here.

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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.

Welcome to UTC

The following employees joined UTC in January:

  • Brandon Bouchillon – Professor, Department of Communication
  • Annaka Mary Clement – Assistant Professor, Sedimentology, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
  • Laura Lutgen-Nieves – Assistant Professor, Department of Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
  • James Purdon – Assistant Professor, Department of Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
  • DeShawn Fairbairn – Assistant Professor of Practice, Physical Therapy
  • Heather Renee Delancett – Budget Manager, College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Office
  • Brittney Elizabeth Sparn – Communications and Marketing Creative Strategist, College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Office
  • Sarah Elizabeth Capps – Academic Advisor I, College of Arts and Sciences Student Success Center
  • Brandon K. Williams – Research Integrity Compliance Officer, Office of Research Integrity
  • Jennifer Wood – Academic Advisor, Gary W. Rollins College of Business
  • Courtney Elizabeth Herrell – Police Dispatcher I, Police and Emergency Services
  • Austin James Lee – Police Dispatcher I, Police and Emergency Services
  • Sarah Moore – Nurse, University Health and Wellness
  • Jessica Lyon Faircloth – Outreach Counselor, Counseling Center
  • Baylee Reece Caldwell – Communications Coordinator, UC Foundation
  • Brynn Munro – Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Recruitment
  • Shianne Tirado – Assistant Teacher, Children’s Center Little Miss Mag
  • Kara Gentry Newton – Accounting Assistant III, Health and Human Performance
  • Brooke Lauer – LDA Pre-Health Advisor, College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office

Campus Updates

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDA) Week, from Feb. 23-March 1, is a time to raise awareness, challenge myths and promote hope and recovery around eating disorders. On a college campus—where stress and body image pressures can feel constant—creating space for compassion, balance and support matters.

This week, consider small ways to support your well-being and the well-being of others: honor nourishment to fuel your energy and focus; practice compassionate self-talk; use body-respectful language; curate body-inclusive digital spaces; move in ways that feel joyful and sustainable; check in with friends; and challenge messages rooted in diet culture.

Remember: You are enough—exactly as you are.

Support is available through the UTC Counseling Center and Focus Treatment Center, and additional resources can be found at nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Join campus events:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 24: Nourish and Flourish Tabling, Vine St.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 25: Fueling Bodies, Feeding Minds, Wolford Family Athletic Center

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2025 GOLD Excellence Award Winner Hallie DeHart (‘18) was recognized by Chancellor Lori Bruce and former Vice Chancellor of Advancement, Kim White.

Nominations are open for the UTC Alumni Awards, recognizing alumni who are exemplary in their fields, who champion UTC with their time and talents, and GOLD alumni making early strides in their careers. Nominations are open through Friday, Feb. 28; submit a nomination and learn more here.

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The Counseling Center has partnered with Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center to offer extended services on the UTC campus. Parkridge at UTC is open from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and offers individual therapy, group therapy and intensive outpatient services for students, faculty and staff.

Click here for video directions to the Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center, located off the UC Foundation Apartments courtyard (Suite 5217). To schedule an initial appointment, call 423-468-5213. Students who are already receiving services through the UTC Counseling Center are encouraged to speak with their provider about whether Parkridge at UTC is a good fit for their needs.

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Scrappy’s Cupboard is currently in critical need of paper products and can always use shelf-stable food donations. Clothing donations are not being accepted at this time.

If you’d like to lend a hand, volunteers are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Click here to sign up.

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College Days are happening now through Saturday, Feb. 28, giving students, faculty and staff—along with friends and family—the chance to visit the Tennessee Aquarium and see 45-minute IMAX Theater documentaries at half price.

The discount is available any day in February, but tickets must be purchased onsite at the Aquarium ticketing center. To receive the discount, present a school ID, transcript or paystub. The offer applies to everyone in the paying party and includes Aquarium admission and a 45-minute IMAX 3D documentary. Be sure to ask about special membership discounts as well.

Please note the Aquarium operates on timed entry and wait times may apply. Click here for pricing and additional details.

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Campus employees are invited to attend a training session on the DASH Budget vs. Actuals Dashboard from 2-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19. The session will provide an overview of how to use the dashboard to review budget and actuals data and better understand financial activity.

Participants will learn how to view budget and actuals data at the account level, apply filters for Chart of Accounts segments and gain a clearer financial overview to support informed decision-making. The training is informational and open to all campus employees. No registration is required.

The session link is available on the FDI Training webpage. Additional information can be found on the Friends of DASH webpage under “DASH … Did You Know?”

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UTC Athletics invites cancer survivors and those currently battling cancer to be recognized during women’s basketball’s annual Cancer Awareness game at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19. Those interested in participating are asked to contact Laura Herron.

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Interested in UTC’s multidisciplinary Learning and Leadership (LEAD) doctoral programs?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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The Humanities Program invites all UTC undergraduates to participate in the North Callahan Essay Prize competition. The prize is awarded annually to an undergraduate whose exceptionally fine essay addresses a subject related to the humanities, including art, music, philosophy, religion, rhetoric and literature, history, theater or interdisciplinary studies that combine these disciplines. Essays will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary committee of professors, and the winner will receive a $1,000 award. All essays must be submitted electronically to Dr. José-Luis Gastañaga by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Learn more by clicking here.

Funding for the prize is provided by an endowment established by the late Dr. North Callahan, distinguished professor emeritus of history at New York University, author of 17 books and alumnus of the University of Chattanooga.

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The Environmental Studies program is partnering with the SGA Sustainability Committee, Tinker Ma Architects and local glass recycling company Overlooked Materials to turn old glass into the new lobby floor of Oak Street Residence Hall.

UTC students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to bring empty, clean glass jars—such as teriyaki sauce, strawberry jam and pickle jars—to the bright yellow collection bins located at Stacy Town Center and the University Center Roundabout, directly across from the Esports Complex.

 All glass colors are accepted, with dark blue glass especially encouraged. Collection bins will be available from now through the start of spring break.

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UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Tennessee residents at UTC and includes required mentoring and community service. Student Success Programs has received requests from UT Promise students for mentors to help support them during their time at UTC, with students required to meet with a mentor at least once per semester for guidance, questions and goal-focused encouragement. Faculty and staff can complete the interest form or contact Student Success Programs with questions, and additional information will be shared with those who express interest.

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UTC Campus Recreation has launched the Adventure Awaits Scholarship Fund to expand access to Mocs Adventure Camp, one of the University’s youth summer programs. The fund will provide scholarship support for children who may not otherwise be able to attend the camp due to financial barriers, with a goal of supporting 25 campers this year.

Donations of any amount help make camp accessible to more families. As a thank you, the first 50 donors who give $50 or more will receive a limited-edition “This Shirt Did Some Good” T-shirt. Those whose children have previously attended Mocs Adventure Camp are also invited to share their camp stories to help highlight the program’s impact.

To learn more, make a gift or share a story, visit the Adventure Awaits Scholarship Fund page. Questions can be directed to MocsAdventureCamp@utc.edu.

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The Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) operates a free shuttle that serves downtown, the North Shore, St. Elmo and the Incline Railway. The current route was developed in the early 1990s and, aside from the recent addition of the North Shore Express, has remained largely unchanged.

CARTA is now reimagining its shuttle routes and service and is seeking community input. Whether you are a daily shuttle user or have never hopped on for a ride, CARTA wants to hear from you. An interactive map allows participants to drag and drop pins to share ideas, thoughts and suggestions for improving shuttle service. A short survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is also available through the map.

Community members are encouraged to take the survey and share it with friends, family and co-workers. This is an opportunity to help improve how the shuttle benefits residents, businesses and visitors across the community. Click here for the interactive map and survey.

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The Office of Research Integrity has announced a new go-live date for DASH Research IRB: Monday, Feb. 16. After this date, 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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UTC is excited to host Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies to celebrate graduates’ achievements. The ceremony dates and times for each college are listed below.

  • Friday, May 8, College of Health, Education and Professional Studies…College of Nursing, 2:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 9, College of Arts and Sciences, 9 a.m.
  • Saturday, May 9,College of Engineering and Computer Science…Gary W. Rollins College of Business, 2 p.m.

All ceremonies will be combined undergraduate and graduate ceremonies.

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The Journey Health Foundation Research Center is accepting proposals for the REACH Fund, a new seed-funding program supporting applied research that turns data into action for healthier communities. Selected projects may receive up to $25,000 to explore how social determinants of health influence outcomes in Chattanooga and the surrounding region, with applications due Monday, March 30. Applications are available here.

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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

Professor JW Bruce and Chancellor Lori Bruce

UTC Chancellor Lori Bruce and Professor of Engineering JW Bruce—sometimes referred to as “Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Bruce”—began their lives together long before the titles and honorifics. This Valentine’s Day, they circled back to where it all began: seated across from each other in an electrical engineering lab.

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson, a former athlete who played five sports in high school, is the assistant director of sports programs and summer camps at UTC, oversees club sports, intramural sports, day-to-day operations, equipment rentals and Mocs Adventure Camp—UTC’s summer youth camp for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. He shared the many ways students, staff and faculty can get involved in campus recreation at UTC. 

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U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey visits with UTC Honors College students in the Guerry Center Reading Room. Photo by Clara Paulson.

Two-term U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Trethewey met with the UTC Honors College students for a two-hour talk. The conversation examined history, her upbringing, personal loss and the craft of writing poetry.

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Tim Downey

UTC welcomed alum and CEO of Southern Land Company Tim Downey back to campus. Downey served as the keynote speaker at the annual Real Estate Luncheon hosted by the student-run UTC Real Estate Club.

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Jackie Morgan, keynote speaker from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, gave a presentation on the career opportunities in economics and finance.

At the Empower Your Future event, UTC professors from the Department of Finance and Economics in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business aimed to give high school students a better understanding of the industry.

WUTC

Janet Rehberg

Janet Rehberg, who was named EPB’s president and CEO last fall after joining the utility in a role focused on emerging technologies, stopped by the WUTC studio for an episode of “Scenic Roots.”
 

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