January 28-February 3, 2025

Updates and news for the week of January 28-February 3, 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 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

UTC MLK Day Commemorative Brunch

Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, in the University Center Tennessee Room for the UTC MLK Day Commemorative Brunch. Director of the UTC Africana Studies Program Dr. Michael Williams and Director of Community Relations and Development for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center Elijah Cameron will discuss the impact Dr. King had in the Chattanooga area. Producer and community advocate Nicole Brown will serve as the event moderator. Register here.

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Submit your Black History Month events

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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UTC Women’s Athletics Launches Its Second Year of “All Aboard”

Following a successful first year of existence in 2024, Chattanooga Athletics and Mocs Club are excited to announce that the “All Aboard: The Drive for UTC Women’s Athletics” has once again returned for 2025. Set to run until Feb. 12, the second installment of the annual initiative aims to continue the growth and support surrounding Chattanooga women’s athletics.

Each contribution, regardless of its size, represents an investment in bolstering female student-athletes through scholarships, team building, upgrades to facilities, funding for international tours, career development and transformative experiences that enable them to compete at the best of their abilities. The All Aboard giving page can be found here.

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New monthly series to debut in February

Quench your thirst for knowledge at Science on Tap, a free, monthly event launching in February. Dr. Rick Mukherjee, inaugural director of the UTC Quantum Center, is the featured presenter at the Science on Tap debut from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Tap House in St. Elmo.

Mukherjee will discuss “The Quantum Technologies All Around Us,” citing some of the many applications quantum enables now and possibly in the future. Mukherjee also will take your questions.

Enjoy free snacks and appetizers, with local brews and other beverages available for purchase at happy hour prices. Additional 10% discount for military, first responders and students with ID. Click here to register to attend.


Outstanding People of UTC

Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt

Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provided its second-quarter report for the 2025 fiscal year, including a downloadable PDF: Q2 FY25 YTD Report PDF.

Among those receiving awards during the quarter was Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt (Criminal Justice), who received $245,429 from the City of Chattanooga for the project titled “Chattanooga United to Reduce Violence.”

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Emma Sprayberry

Emma Sprayberry

For the first time, a UTC alum has won the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship. May 2024 graduate Emma Sprayberry (Innovations in Honors student, bachelor’s degrees in both humanities: international studies and Spanish) has been selected for the prestigious honor—which supports fellows through two-year master’s degree funding, two internships, mentoring by a Foreign Service Officer, and professional development. After completing their degree and meeting Foreign Service requirements, fellows commit to a minimum five-year service in Washington, D.C., and U.S. missions worldwide.

Sprayberry is currently in Taiwan teaching English and representing the U.S. as a cultural ambassador after landing a Fulbright Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.

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Joshua Tyler

Joshua Tyler

In a world where data security is an ever-growing concern, Joshua Tyler—a computational engineering doctoral candidate and electrical engineering research associate at UTC—has broken new ground. Tyler, who is on track to receive his third UTC degree in May, has developed the world’s first usable Artificial Intelligence (AI) network that can learn how to encrypt itself.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

  • Senior political science major Mateo Jimenez was featured in the UT System magazine Our Tennessee to discuss his years of community service experience while being a UTC student.
  • Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt spoke to numerous media members, including the Times Free Press and Local 3 News, about the launch of the Violence Reduction Initiative.
  • The J. W. Pepper Blog: “Cued In” did a Q&A featuring Randall Coleman, UTC’s director of bands.
  • Sigrún Ólafsdóttir found herself in the No. 7 spot of the SportsCenter Top 10 after beating the buzzer from half court on Saturday.
  • Joshua Tyler, a computational engineering doctoral candidate, was featured in a NewsChannel 9 story about developing the world’s first usable AI network that can learn how to encrypt itself.
  • Dr. Amy Brock-Hon spoke to Local 3 News about UTC’s first “Star Party” of the semester, which brought in over 100 guests.

Mark Your Calendar

Photo courtesy of Dale Rutemeyer/gomocs.com

Photo courtesy of Dale Rutemeyer/gomocs.com

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

  • Friday, Jan. 31: Men’s tennis vs. Tennessee Tech, UTC Tennis Center, 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 1: Men’s basketball vs. Mercer, McKenzie Arena, 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Feb. 2: Men’s tennis vs. Gardner-Webb, UTC Tennis Center, 1 p.m.

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Sponsored by the George C. Connor Professorship of American Literature and the UTC Department of English, the Take Five 2025 lineup explores what it means to be educated in the modern world.

Take Five sessions occur Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. in the University Center Tennessee Room. Each session will offer a light dinner, and no RSVP is necessary. Upcoming spring dates:

All books are available through online retailers and at the UTC Bookstore (423-425-4107). Contact Aaron-Shaheen@utc.edu with questions.

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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.

MAcc Information Sessions

MSM Information Sessions

MSDA Information Sessions

MBA Information Sessions

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The Office of New Student and Family Programs is hosting three meetings for any current students interested in being an Orientation Leader for the upcoming 2025 orientation season. The meetings will discuss the importance of the position, requirements needed to apply, the application/interview process, benefits and more. All sessions are at 3 p.m. in the Admissions Tour Center in the University Center.

  • Wednesday, Jan. 29
  • Thursday, Jan. 30
  • Monday, Feb. 3

Can’t attend one of the sessions but still interested in being a 2025 Orientation Leader? Email Katelynn at katelynn-buchanan@utc.edu to receive more information. 

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Join the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures for the next session of the Mesa De Español at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Lupton 239 (MCLL Language Lab). The session will offer informal conversation practice in Spanish for speakers of all levels. If you like Spanish and want to hear and practice it, you are welcome.

Other sessions during the semester are from 12:10-1:10 p.m. in Lupton 239:

  • Feb. 5, March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16
Participa con el Departamento de Lenguas Modernas y Clásicas para la próxima
sesión de la Mesa de Español a las 12:10 pm el miércoles 29 de enero en Lupton 239 (el laboratorio de lenguas). En la sesión ofreceremos práctica de conversación en español para hablantes de todos niveles. Si te gusta el español y quieres escuchar y practicarlo, estás bienvenido/a.

Otras sesiones durante el semestre serán de 12:10 a 1:10 en Lupton 239:

  • 5 de febrero, 5 y 19 de marzo, 2 y 16 de abril

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The Honors College will host a volunteer and internship fair from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in the Guerry Center Reading Room. Come meet with representatives from local organizations to learn about opportunities to engage in the local Chattanooga community, including Signal Centers, the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga, Crabtree Farms and more. All students, staff and faculty are welcome. Food and refreshments will be included.

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The Center for Wellbeing is offering training for faculty and staff. Psychological first aid training will take place from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, in the University Center Room 350. If interested, sign up here.

The Center is happy to schedule trainings for specific teams or departments at other times throughout the year. Reach out to megan-mcknight@utc.edu with questions or to request a training.

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The UTC Department of Criminal Justice is hosting a career expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, in the University Center Tennessee Room. Visitors can network with detectives, police officers, corrections officers and other professionals. Click here to RSVP.

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Join the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise for a panel titled “The Economics of Sports” from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Wolford Family Athletics Center.

Randy Boyd, UT System president and owner/operator of five minor league baseball teams joins sports economist Brad R. Humphreys and sportswriter Jay Greeson to explore today’s sports industry. From the impact of name, image and likeness (NIL) publicity rights, to taxes, subsidies and market trends, gain an insider’s view of the complex economic forces shaping today’s sports world. With an open Q&A and lunch provided, this is a must for anyone fascinated by the business behind the game. Register here.

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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.

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The Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science is hosting a celebration for Darwin Day from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, on the first floor of Lupton Hall. Please join to celebrate Darwin’s birthday with cake and a scavenger hunt. Meet and mingle with BGE faculty showcasing their research.

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As part of a series of concerts in Tennessee, the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at the Roland Hayes Concert Hall.

The concert will feature the unit’s 45-member concert band and will honor our nation and its veterans, share stories of our heritage, and reflect on all that makes us flourish as individuals and as a country. Free tickets are available here.

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The College of Engineering and Computer Science will host the annual E-Week Open House from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) Building. The event is open to all and offers an opportunity to explore engineering and technology through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

  • Hands-on activities and lab experiences will highlight areas such as computer science, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics engineering technology and mechanical engineering.
  • Representatives from Underwriters Laboratories, ChaTech and TVA will present demonstrations and learning sessions.
  • Information tables will feature Financial Aid and Scholarships, Career Services, Advancement and Alumni Affairs, and Graduate Programs, as well as community partners like Astec, TVA, Volkswagen and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.
  • Food trucks, including Sourdough Cuppa Joe and SoulQue, will provide meals and refreshments for purchase in the ECS breezeway.

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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.


Campus Updates

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is largely preventable with regular screenings and treatment, yet one Tennessean is diagnosed every day. The three main risk factors for cervical cancer are using tobacco products, missing regular screenings and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Over 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, which is the most common STI. HPV often shows no symptoms, can affect the skin, genitals and throat, and can also cause other types of cancer—even for those without a cervix.

Fortunately, the HPV vaccine protects against the strains that most commonly cause cancer and is available to everyone, regardless of gender. Since HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, barrier methods like condoms may not fully prevent transmission. Talk to your health care provider about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening recommendations to stay protected. (Instagram: utc_cw)

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UTC’s English as a Second Language Institute is offering a new evening course, “English for Work,” designed for community members seeking to enhance their workplace communication skills. The class will meet from 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from March 3-April 9.

Designed for intermediate-level learners, the course includes 24 hours of instruction and costs $500. Enrollment is capped at 15 students and requires a minimum of five participants to proceed. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For questions, email ESL@UTC.EDU. To register, click here.

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Help support the students who are participating in Dr. Jaclyn Michael’s faculty-led trip to India in May. The goal is to raise at least $7,000 that will be equally divided between the six students signed up for the trip.

The funds will be used to offset the cost of the trip, including airfare and incidentals. Any dollar amount helps us to reach the goal. You can learn more about the trip and make a donation by clicking here.


UTC Newsroom

Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt

Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt

Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt has spearheaded the creation of the Violence Reduction Initiative, a UTC research center designed to address violent crime in Chattanooga and beyond. Housed within UTC’s Criminal Justice department, the VRI represents a bold commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world solutions.

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Anna Sherrill (left), Dr. Azad Hossain and Nicklaus Kuntzman. Photo courtesy of Anna Sherrill.

Anna Sherrill (left), Dr. Azad Hossain and Nicklaus Kuntzman. Photo courtesy of Anna Sherrill.

In December, Associate Professor Azad Hossain—along with senior environmental science majors Anna Sherrill and Nicklaus Kuntzman—traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Geophysical Union 2024 conference—where over 25,000 scientists from 100-plus countries gathered to share their ideas and research.

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Jana Cox

Jana Cox

Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships Jana Cox wants to help guide students through the complicated world of financial aid and scholarships, making sure they have plenty of resources and support. In this “Get to know the people of UTC” Q&A, she answered questions about how she can help.

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

  • For Haley Reeves, strength is multifaceted. Reeves is a junior finance student at UTC, a jiu-jitsu fighter and a former competitive weightlifter.
  • The Institute of Contemporary Art, housed on the UTC campus, is preparing to close out its first art gallery tour. Rachel Waldrop, the director and curator of the ICA, led the momentous endeavor of getting a collection of work from Philadelphia artist Becky Suss on the road to share her creative storytelling with others.

WUTC

Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley sat down for an episode of “Chatting with the Chancellor” on WUTC-FM 88.1’s “Scenic Roots” to discuss his new role.


 

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