January 2-6, 2025

Updates and news for the abbreviated week of January 2-6, 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-l-schultz@utc.edu or chuck-wasserstrom@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


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Highlights

The Campus Weekly newsletter will return to its regular cycle this coming Tuesday. For the upcoming newsletter, please submit your items no later than noon on Monday (Jan. 6).

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The dash to DASH

On Monday (Jan. 6), DASH goes live, ushering in a new and exciting phase for the UT System, its campuses and institutes.

To prepare for go-live, we encourage all employees to complete the 30-day checklist. This quick reference guide lists resources, details regarding upcoming deadlines and necessary actions.

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Last chance to submit your winter welcome events

Help the Office of Student and Family Engagement welcome our new and returning students to the start of the semester by submitting your events to the 2025 Winter Welcome calendar online. Winter Welcome 2025 will be Jan. 6-10. 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.

Winter Welcome Week events include:

  • Monday, Jan. 6: Welcome Tables, University Center and Lupton Hall lobbies, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 7: International Tea Time, sponsored by Center for Global Education, Lupton Hall, 3-4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 7: Cozy Carnival, sponsored by Lupton Hall Offices, Lupton Hall, 6-8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 8: Winter Welcome Org Fair, sponsored by Student and Family Engagement, University Center Tennessee Room, 3-5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 9: Campus Job Fair, sponsored by Housing and Residence Life, Lupton Hall, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Jan. 10: Acrylics and Apps, sponsored by Housing and Residence Life, Lupton Hall, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 12: Clarence T. Jones Observatory Open House: MOCs Under the Stars, sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and Physics, 10 N. Tuxedo Ave., 6-8 p.m. 

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Submit your Black History Month events

This year, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has selected the theme “A Celebration of Firsts” for Black History Month, emphasizing the landmark experiences of African Americans. This month will showcase the intellectual and collective impact of African Americans who have championed excellence and innovation in their respective fields.

If you are sponsoring or are aware of events (on campus or in the Chattanooga area) you would like to see included in the UTC Black History Month calendar, please submit your information to Christopher-Stokes@utc.edu.

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Nominate Award-Winning Alums

The 2025 Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Service and GOLD Excellence Award nomination forms are live. If you know an alumnus/a who is exemplary in their field, someone who champions UTC with their time and talents or a newer graduate making early strides in their career, nominate them today. More information and simplified nomination links can be found at alumni.utc.edu/awards. The deadline for nominations is Fri, Jan. 31.


Outstanding People of UTC

Over the last 13 years, Dr. Robert Dooley has become a pivotal figure at UTC, steering the Gary W. Rollins College of Business to new heights and leaving an indelible mark on the University. Now, the new interim chancellor is poised to continue shaping UTC’s future in profound ways.


Mark Your Calendar

The 2025 Southern Scuffle takes place this weekend at McKenzie Arena. This annual wrestling tournament brings together top NCAA Division I programs from across the nation and has become a staple in the collegiate wrestling calendar.

The 2025 Southern Scuffle takes place this weekend at McKenzie Arena. This annual wrestling tournament brings together top NCAA Division I programs from across the nation and has become a staple in the collegiate wrestling calendar.

Upcoming Mocs home athletics calendar:

  • Saturday, Jan. 4: Wrestling (Southern Scuffle), McKenzie Arena, all day
  • Sunday, Jan. 5: Wrestling (Southern Scuffle), McKenzie Arena, all day
  • Thursday, Jan. 9: Men’s basketball vs. UNCG, McKenzie Arena, 5 p.m.

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The campus community is invited to join bi-weekly sessions of a forum to discuss select topics in Quantum Information Science and Engineering in which important developments are underway at UTC or elsewhere.

The series resumes on Thursday, Jan. 9, when Matthew (Gage) Plott presents on “Quantum Tensor Networks.” The session will take place from 4-5 p.m. in Lupton Hall Room 308.

Upcoming dates for the Quantum Information Science and Technology Journal Club and Seminar Series include Jan. 23Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. Details on topics will be shared soon. For more information, visit utc.edu/research/quantum-center.

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Join the UTC Jones Observatory for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 12, as part of Winter Welcome Week. Learn about the historic observatory and watch a free planetarium show. If it’s a clear night, look through the historic telescope at objects in the night sky.

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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions about UTC’s Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics and Master of Accountancy graduate programs. The Rollins College of Business graduate degree programs provide flexible course options and career advancement resources to advance your education and elevate your career.

MSDA Information Sessions

MBA Information Sessions

MAcc Information Sessions

MSM Information Sessions

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Interested in advancing your career and education? Attend UTC’s Virtual Grad Fair via Zoom from noon-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to:

  • Explore programs: Discover your path with UTC’s 30-plus graduate degree programs.
  • Meet experts: Connect with faculty, staff and program representatives.
  • Get answers: Gain insights on career paths, admissions processes and more.

Free application fee waivers will be available for attendees when attending a program breakout session (domestic students only). The event is open to anyone interested in transforming their future with a graduate degree from UTC.

Visit utc.edu/virtual-graduate-fair to learn more and register today.

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The Prism Center will be conducting Safe Zone Aspiring Ally training sessions on the following dates:

  • Thursday, Feb. 6: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 5: 1-5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 1: 1-5 p.m.
  • Monday, May 5: 1-5 p.m.

A Safe Zone is a space in which anyone in the LGBTQ+ community will be supported and affirmed. Safe Zone training will help participants learn to create a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ members of campus by providing education, resources and advocacy. The training includes small group activities, an information session and large group discussions. Participants will then be able to display a UTC Safe Zone Aspiring Ally sticker in their office to demonstrate their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.

Space is limited, so please click here to register.


Campus Updates

The Staff Senate will represent non-exempt and exempt staff on campus and is intended to be one of unity and cooperation. Our shared goals are to consider methods and means by which employment conditions may be improved at UTC, to receive and consider matters concerning working conditions of membership, to make such recommendations it deems appropriate to promote and support the strategic goals and vision of UTC, and to provide a means of communicating problems of mutual concern to the Chancellor’s Strategy Team, formerly the Executive Leadership Team.

Furthermore, the Staff Senate will not include faculty (currently represented separately by the Faculty Senate) or members of the Chancellor’s Strategy Team; however, the voice of the Employee Relations Committee will continue to be present through the Staff Senate’s subcommittee for ERC. The Chair of the ERC will also hold a seat on and be a voting member of the Staff Senate’s Executive Committee.

We are excited to have a Staff Senate as it will allow us to sit, listen, share and learn about the concerns our various areas and roles face and work collectively toward solutions. We encourage you to be involved in the process, to ask questions, to share problems and to brainstorm ways for us to do better. We are truly one team, and our Staff Senate will highlight our collective power.

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Register and reserve your spot for the 2025 UT Innovative Technologies Symposium, taking place Jan. 28-29 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Hosted by the Office of Innovative Technologies, this two-day symposium will focus on our everyday IT challenges, shared interests, honed skills and newfound passions. Together, we aim to foster innovative IT solutions, expand knowledge and form strategic collaborations that can significantly impact the University of Tennessee system. We encourage anyone from the entire UT System to participate, present and attend.

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The National Science Foundation Noyce Track 2 fellowship project is accepting applications from STEM-degreed professionals to prepare to teach secondary mathematics and science through the Master of Education degree program. The 2025-2026 cohort will begin coursework in May. Please contact Deborah-McAllister@utc.edu or visit this link for project details.

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The Survivor Advocacy Services, a program within the Center for Women and Gender Equity, is partnering with the Office of Title IX compliance on our “Don’t Cancel Your Class” initiative. Rather than canceling your class when you have a time conflict (conference, scheduled time off, etc.), consider using it as an opportunity for your students to learn about resources for survivors of gender-based violence.

The educational sessions can be offered in person or virtually when professors are needing to cancel class or bring in a guest speaker. The objective of these programs is to educate students about resources for survivors, connect them with advocates and facilitate discussions about the chosen topic. We can discuss adapting presentations to a topic not listed if that better suits your class. Use this link to request a presentation.

The topics include:

  • Overview of Gender-Based Violence
  • Realities of Gender-Based Violence
  • Rape Culture
  • Media Impacts on Gender-Based Violence
  • Gender-Based Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community
  • Supporting Survivors
  • Consent
  • Healthy Relationships

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Mark your calendar for Feb. 13-14 and join the UT Grand Challenges Summit in Murfreesboro for a two-day event that brings together UT faculty, staff, state organizations, private industry and community leaders to address Tennessee’s most pressing issues. With a focus on K-12 education, strengthening rural communities and overcoming addiction, this summit is your opportunity to engage with colleagues from across the UT System, share innovative research, and ignite transformative partnerships.

This year’s summit features presentations by faculty and staff from all UT campuses and institutes, as well as keynote speakers, including celebrated author and former school superintendent Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, UT System President Randy Boyd, and leadership from every campus and institute during the “State of UT” address.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation shaping Tennessee’s future. Use this link to learn more and register before all spots are taken.


UTC Newsroom

Chancellor Angle’s farewell reception photo by Ray Soldano

Chancellor Angle’s farewell reception (photo by Ray Soldano)

As he transitioned from his leadership role to joining the faculty, Chancellor Steve Angle thanked the people of UTC. “This is not a goodbye. It’s a hello to my next chapter. And the best part is that I get to do it right here at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.”

Angle’s 11 ½ years at the helm marked a period of significant growth and innovation—elevating the University’s reputation and laying the foundation for its future success.


WUTC

Jared Sullivan (photo credit: Mackenzie Wray)

Jared Sullivan (photo credit: Mackenzie Wray)

A recent episode of WUTC’s “Open Book” with Richard Winham featured a conversation with UTC alum Jared Sullivan.

Sullivan talked about his book on the 2008 coal ash disaster in Kingston, Tennessee titled “Valley So Low: One Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in the Wake of America’s Great Coal Catastrophe.”


 

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