January 20-26, 2026
Updates and news for the week of January 20-26, 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.
Highlights
Mocs Flight Plan takes flight
 Chancellor Lori Bruce talks during the Mocs Flight Plan kickoff session. UTC leaders, faculty and staff recently gathered for the kickoff meeting of the Mocs Flight Plan, marking the start of a coordinated, campuswide effort to implement the University’s Strategic Enrollment Plan approved in fall 2025. The Mocs Flight Plan establishes UTC’s roadmap for reaching 15,000 students by 2030 while strengthening retention, student outcomes and the overall student experience.
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Meal Plan Change Request Deadline
The spring 2026 meal plan change request deadline is 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Students may now request a meal plan change by emailing mocscard@utc.edu. Remember to include your UTC ID number and the eligible meal plan you would like for the spring 2026 semester. Any requests received after Sunday, Jan. 25, will not be accepted.
Meal plan eligibility is based on earned credit hours. 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 refer to this link for that information.
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UTC’s Vu Nguyen earns national championship in T.E.A.M. University Challenge
 UTC sophomore Vu Nguyen, with UC Foundation and Robert L. Maclellan Associate Professor of Finance Hunter Holzhauer, displays his T.E.A.M. University Challenge trophy. Vu Nguyen isn’t one to seek the spotlight. But when the final scores were tallied in a national financial planning competition, the UTC sophomore found his name at the very top. Nguyen’s investment portfolio finished first among more than 600 students from 14 universities in the 2025 T.E.A.M. University Challenge, hosted by The E-Valuator Asset Management.
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UTC invited to join Southeastern Quantum Collaborative
Last week, UTC accepted an invitation to join the Southeastern Quantum Collaborative (SQC), created by the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Founding members of the SQC include IBM, Davidson Technologies and Alabama A&M University. Additional organizations—including UTC, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, IonQ and Leidos—have committed to join as inaugural members.
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Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey to give free public lecture
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and two-term U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey will deliver a free, public lecture titled “The Role of the Humanities in Our Personal and Civic Lives” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in the University Center Tennessee Room. The event will include a lecture by Trethewey, readings from her work, a question-and-answer session and a book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the lecture through Barnes & Noble.
The lecture is sponsored by The Lyndhurst Foundation, the UTC Honors College O’Dea Lecture Series, the UTC Division of Access and Engagement, The Keese Lecture Series and the UTC Department of English.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Charlie Mix (left) and Nyssa Hunt Congratulations to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in December. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $226,430 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $6,272,297 in external funding, if awarded.
Among those receiving awards in December were Charlie Mix and Nyssa Hunt in the Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science (CAGDS).
- Mix, Hunt and Laura Lee (CAGDS), in collaboration with Austin Peay State University, have received $37,931 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the project titled, “Research and Development of Southeastern Grasslands Institute Southeast Native Seed Network Hub & GIS Web Tools.”
- Mix and Hunt, in collaboration with the South-Central Tennessee Development District, have received $45,379 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for the project entitled, “Developing a GIS Conservation Priority Model of the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership.”
In addition, ORSP provided its second-quarter report for the 2026 fiscal year, including a downloadable PDF: Q2 FY26 YTD Report PDF.
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 Jessica Hobbs At the start of her college journey, Jessica Hobbs was a nursing student at Chattanooga State Community College who felt lost when she realized that the profession may not be for her. Nearly a decade later, Hobbs is nearing graduation from UTC with a degree in chemical engineering. She is also an Innovations in Honors student in the UTC Honors College and the recipient of the Gilman Scholarship, which will allow her to travel to the Netherlands this spring free of charge.
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 Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency graduate Cheryl Self (second from left) holds her plaque following the Jan. 13 ceremony, joined by Alexis Bennett, Gina Rahn and Stephanie Eton. UTC and Erlanger marked a milestone with the graduation of the first resident from their jointly developed Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency during a ceremony at Erlanger Baroness Hospital. The event recognized the completion of the yearlong program by Dr. Cheryl Self, a licensed physical therapist at Erlanger who received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from UTC in 2020.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Chancellor Lori Bruce joined an episode of My Morning Cup to discuss her upbringing and her introduction to higher education.
- UC Foundation Associate Professor Saeid Golkar was featured in a Newsweek piece about Iran.
- Assistant Professor Stephan Davenport spoke to Local 3 News about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
- NewsChannel 9 spoke to UC Foundation Professor Rick Dierenfeldt for a story about Chattanooga’s drop in homicides.
- Students Kaylen Hamlin, Kaitlyn Notto, Arden Perry, Jamie Stout and Iqra Sheikh, along with UC Foundation Assistant Professor Kristi Wick, were featured in an Our Tennessee magazine article about the MobileMOC health clinic.
- Dr. Kristi Wick also joined an episode of Jed & JR Mornings to discuss MobileMOC.
- A Sports Video Group story featured Associate Athletic Director of Digital Media Leah Gill.
- UC Foundation Associate Professor Liz Hathaway discussed how to develop healthy habits in the new year on Jed & JR Mornings.
- Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall discussed slow economic growth in Chattanooga for a News 12 Now article.
Mark Your Calendar
 Landon Jones (photo credit: Sam Janicki/GoMocs.com) Upcoming Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Wednesday, Jan. 21: Men’s Basketball vs. ETSU, McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 23: Wrestling vs. Davidson, Maclellan Gym, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 25: Wrestling vs. Presbyterian, Maclellan Gym, 2 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 26: 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. The Rollins College of Business graduate programs provide flexible course options and exclusive career support resources to elevate your education and advance your career.
MSDA Information Sessions
MBA Information Sessions
MAcc Information Sessions
MSM Information Sessions
Business Analytics Certificate Information Sessions
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Create a vision board from noon-4 p.m. today (Jan. 20) with the UTC Bookstore.
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“Take Five 2026: Americans Abroad” returns in January, inviting 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.
This year’s selections and presenters include:
- Today (Jan. 20): Aaron Shaheen presents “A Star for Mrs. Blake” by April Smith
- Tuesday, Feb. 10: Sybil Baker presents “The Sheltering Sky” by Paul Bowles
- 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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Ilja Popovs from UT Knoxville will present “Leveraging Coordination Chemistry for Sustainable f-Element Separations and Targeted Radiometal Therapies” from 2:20-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, in Grote 411 (Chemistry Department).
The talk will examine how fundamental concepts in coordination chemistry can be applied to challenges in nuclear medicine and sustainable energy. Drawing on recent studies of lanthanide and actinide complexes, Popovs will discuss how variations in chelator design—including coordination geometry, donor-atom identity, rigidity and preorganization—affect metal-ligand selectivity and stability across the f-element series. These design principles support targeted delivery of therapeutic radiometals and improved recovery of critical elements from complex mixtures, emphasizing structure–property relationships that link atomic-scale understanding to practical technologies.
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Join a community conversation with UTC’s Interior Architecture and Design program connected to the exhibition “Ghosts in the Walls: Preservation as Memory.” The event will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) on 30 Frazier Ave. Presented in partnership with Preserve Chattanooga, the event will feature a panel discussion with local preservationists Todd Morgan, Melissa Mortimer and Rachel Hunt.
The program will examine preservation efforts in Chattanooga, including successes and shortcomings of existing city ordinances, gaps in protections for historic structures and practical ways community members can engage in advocacy and influence local policy. The event is designed to inform, engage and encourage collective action to protect the city’s historic built environment.
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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.
Scrappy’s Markets also return this spring. The next market will take place 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, on the second floor of the University Center. All spring markets will be held 2-4 p.m. in the University Center on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Feb. 11
- Tuesday, Feb. 24
- Wednesday, March 11
- Tuesday, March 24
- Wednesday, April 8
- Tuesday, April 21
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Join an Orientation Leader interest meeting to learn more about the role, responsibilities and impact you can make in welcoming new students to campus. This meeting is a great opportunity to ask questions and find out if the position is right for you.
- Wednesday, Jan. 28, Admissions Tour Room (2nd floor of the University Center), 3 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 29, Admissions Tour Room (2nd floor of the University Center), 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 3, Zoom, 3 p.m.
If you are interested but unable to attend any of these interest meetings, please email Katelynn Buchanan.
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The Innovations in Honors program is seeking currently enrolled students interested in joining the UTC Honors College in fall 2026. Students can learn more by registering for a virtual information session, held via Zoom on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Jan. 28, 6-7 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 5, 1-2 p.m.
The program offers opportunities to develop key skills and enrich the academic experience through hands-on learning, including courses such as Innovation Lab, where students collaborate with partners from the city of Chattanooga to design and implement projects that address community challenges.
Additional benefits of admission to the UTC Honors College include a $2,000 annual scholarship (for up to three years, depending on completed credits at the time of admission), potential housing in the honors residential community, an out-of-state tuition waiver, priority registration, small class sizes and support for research and travel opportunities.
Students are encouraged to register for a virtual information session or contact Dr. Jordan King, program director, for more information.
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 Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope From curiosity to courtrooms, a real-world look at forensic accounting will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the University Center Auditorium.
Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope will share her unconventional career journey at the intersection of accounting, ethics, storytelling and investigation. The talk offers an engaging and practical look at how accounting can be used to protect organizations and the public and may be of interest to those exploring career paths, interested in ethics or drawn to real-world investigative work. Registration information is available here.
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The Journey Health Foundation Research Center will host a Data Summit from 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, 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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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. 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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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.
Campus Updates
As the new semester begins during the winter months, prioritize routines that support both physical and mental wellness. Shorter days and colder weather can impact energy and mood. Try to stay active with brief indoor workouts or brisk walks around campus when possible, fuel your body with balanced meals and warm, nourishing foods, and protect your sleep by keeping a consistent schedule.
The Center for Wellbeing rents out “Happy Lights” to help regulate sleep schedules and support consistent light therapy during darker months. Amid the rush of New Year’s resolutions, remember to set realistic goals that focus on progress rather than perfection. Practice kindness toward yourself and recognize that shame does not promote meaningful change when working toward who you are or who you want to be. Check in with yourself by using campus resources such as Counseling Services, the Aquatic and Recreation Center and other organizations that can help you stay motivated, manage stress and start the semester feeling supported and refreshed.
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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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Faculty are invited to join the Faculty Writing Collective, which meets from 9:30 a.m.-noon on Fridays during the academic year in the UTC Library. This is a writing accountability group that includes a brief goal setting exercise, two hours of quiet writing time and a check-in at the end of the session.
The UTC Faculty Writing Collective’s goal is to support faculty who face structural, cultural and institutional barriers to writing by fostering a supportive community grounded in accountability, care and equity. Faculty are encouraged to carve out dedicated writing or research time this Friday and enjoy a pastry while they work. To join the email list, contact Emma McDonell.
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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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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 Friday, Jan. 30, to secure pre-club opening discounts. Spread the word—every membership helps support our veterans.
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The UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists is accepting applications from UT faculty, staff, departments and student organizations for the 2026-27 Giving Circle Grants Cycle to support projects that challenge conventional approaches and inspire new solutions to pressing needs.
Proposals may request support for a new project or program that benefits the campus or an expansion of an existing program. Grant requests may range from $2,500–$25,000 and may not include general operating expenses, including faculty salaries. Applications include a cover sheet, a two-page proposal narrative and a one-page detailed budget. Full instructions and a list of past recipients are available on the Circle of Giving website.
Those planning to apply should notify Todd Moore-Doman by Tuesday, Feb. 3, so ORSP can assist with budget preparation and application materials. Proposals must be submitted for routing in Cayuse SP by Friday, Feb. 20, to be eligible for consideration. ORSP will submit final approved proposals to AWP by Friday, Feb. 27, with awards expected to be announced by Monday, March 30.
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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. Below are key deadlines to support the transition to the new submission system.
- 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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Free short-term physical therapy services are available to UTC students, faculty and staff through the PT Pro Bono Clinic, led by physical therapy faculty and doctoral students. The clinic provides evaluations and treatment for a range of concerns, from ankle sprains to lingering back pain.
The clinic is located in University Health Services in Maclellan Gym and is open 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 423-425-2266. Questions can be directed to ptclinic@utc.edu.
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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
 Dr. Jose Barbosa and members of the ANGELS camp work in the Teaching and Learning Garden near Holt Hall. UTC has been nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to community engagement, earning the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification—awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in collaboration with the American Council on Education.
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 Brock Hall The United States’ involvement in World War II elevated science to a national priority, and this was reflected in the curricula of higher education institutions across the country in the postwar years. UTC was no exception, and Brock Hall, dedicated in November 1949 as a science building housing the Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Drawing, Geography, and Geology Departments, is a physical reminder of that era.
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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 Laura Petrus (left) and Chris Stokes address the crowd at the grand opening of the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community. UTC recently celebrated the grand opening of its Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community (CSLEC) with an afternoon designed for students to stop by, hang out and get a feel for the new Lupton Hall space.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
- With the start of the spring semester, December 2025 UTC graduate April (A.P.) Horn is now enrolled in Graduate School thanks to the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship, a competitive National Science Foundation-funded fellowship that provides STEM graduates with a fully funded pathway to earn a master’s degree in secondary education from UTC in just 14 months.
- If you’re a student or faculty member at the UTC, you have most likely used Canvas. Menekse Adar, a graduate student in engineering management at UTC’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, is working to understand how different Canvas course layouts shape students’ engagement in their classes.
WUTC
Two episodes of WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” featured Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. Kelly discussed the city and UTC Research Institute’s federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, affordable housing and CARTA. Wamp talked about historic preservation, county legislative priorities and renovating the riverfront in downtown Chattanooga.
Another recent episode of “Scenic Roots” featured students in the UTC Department of Communication, who discussed their projects in “solutions journalism.”
IN Memoriam
Chattanooga Athletics mourns the passing of 2018 UTC Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Tym, a main architect of the Mocs tennis success in the 1970s and prominent tennis figure in the Scenic City. Tym (1940-2026) passed away peacefully at his home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on Jan. 15 at the age of 85. His full obituary is available here, while this link takes you to more information about his hall of fame career at UTC.
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Annie Westmoreland Sanders, who retired from UTC as lead pastry chef, died Jan. 8, 2026—just six days before her 108th birthday.
Born Jan. 14, 1918, in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Sanders later moved to Chattanooga, where she built a long career centered on her love of cooking. Before joining UTC, she worked as a seamstress at Thea’s House of Sample on McCallie Avenue and as a cook at Buck’s Restaurant on Ringgold Road. Sanders’ passion for cooking continued long after retirement; she remained active in the kitchen well into early 2025, at age 107.
A 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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