|
Updates and news for the week of Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2024
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 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.
Need help filling out the new FAFSA application?
Financial Aid and Scholarships staff, along with Mocs One Center team members, will be holding FAFSA Fridays in February. They will offer a series of in-person and online workshops to assist current and prospective students and their families with filling out the form.
Session dates: Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23
- In-person: 10 a.m.-noon in the Mocs One Center (University Center Room 124).
- Virtual: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., click here for Zoom links
For more information about the FAFSA process, visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.
UTC celebrates Black History Month
UTC Black History Month 2024 begins on Thursday (Feb. 1) with a kickoff celebration in Lupton Hall from noon-2 p.m.
The theme of UTC Black History Month is “African Americans and the Arts,” with special events taking place throughout February.
Check the Black History Month events calendar for a complete listing of activities.
The outstanding people of UTC
 From left: Stephanie Orr, Cpl. Gassim Abazid, Chancellor Angle, Shari Kappel, Emma Sampson and Brandalyn Shropshire On Monday, the Chancellor’s Blue Ribbon Award recipients for the second half of 2023—Cpl. Gassim Abazid (UTC Police Department), Stephanie Orr (Undergraduate Admissions), Shari Kappel (Administrative Specialist for Management, Gary W. Rollins College of Business), Brandalyn Shropshire (Undergraduate Admissions), Lili Reynolds (Registered Nurse, University Health Services) and Emma Sampson (MPH Program Manager, Health and Human Performance)—were recognized with a luncheon in the University Center.
* * * * *
Researchers in the UTC Center for Urban Informatics and Progress will be driving faster—and more safely—into the future of mobility with the recent arrival of the University’s first autonomous vehicle.
* * * * *
Check out these Mocs making a difference:
- At a recent conference for undergraduate women physics majors, sophomore biophysics major Olivia Ziemer initially found herself in awe, as “I’ve never been in a room of that many women in STEM in my life, which was awesome.” She also awed the judges, returning to UTC with first prize in the poster competition.
- While the Chattanooga region braved the snow and ice over MLK weekend, 10 DPT students, led by Dr. Betsy Myers, traveled to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, to volunteer with Sports, Arts and Recreation of Tennessee and Chattanooga in support of their annual adaptive ski week. The UTC PT students worked with participants and instructors from across the country, serving as slope guardians and assisting with mobility on the slopes, equipment modification and hauling equipment.
- A recent edition of the Hamilton County Coalition’s “Coalition Rendition” podcast featured a discussion with Mocs Recovery Program graduate assistant and group facilitator Cecilia Cameron.
- Chattanooga Mocs Player Development Complex Superintendent Chip Ward and staff won the Collegiate Field of the Year Award from the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.
- Last week, the Hamilton County Health Department announced the publication of its 2023 Public Health Survey Summary. Last April, the Health Department, in partnership with the Hamilton County Regional Health Council and UTC, administered its first county-wide community health survey of adult residents in Hamilton County.
Seeking Alumni Award Nominations
 Kim White, 2023 honoree David Wade and Chancellor Angle Do 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? The online nomination forms for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Service and GOLD Excellence Awards are open through Wednesday, Feb.14. Submit your nominations using the following links:
Submit your Chancellor’s Innovation Fund proposals
UTC faculty and staff, to build on your ideas and the culture of innovation UTC already has, we have established the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund and need your ideas and energy! Please visit the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund webpage for details about how to submit a proposal to address a challenge or opportunity with an innovative solution you’ve identified. The deadline for submission of proposals is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. A successful proposal may be awarded up to a maximum of $15,000 in one-time funding.
Applications Now Open for the 2024-2025 Student Member of the UTC Advisory Board
Students, UTC is seeking applications for the 2024-2025 student member of the UTC Advisory Board. Candidates for student member shall have completed a total of 30-semester hours with a cumulative 2.75-grade point average at the end of the semester of appointment.
- The successful candidate must be available to serve from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and must be enrolled full-time at UTC throughout the term of appointment (summer terms excluded).
- Candidate applications must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 23.
- Candidates meeting the aforementioned requirements shall attend the Student Government Association meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 during which time they shall be recognized in a punctuated and individual manner to defend their candidacy for a maximum of three (3) minutes, which precedes a period of questioning from voting members of the SGA.
- At least three members of the UTC Campus Advisory Board will attend the meeting of the SGA to hear the candidates defend their candidacy.
- The SGA will put forth to the Chancellor and SGA advisors those candidates it feels are acceptable or unacceptable (without ranking). This information will be provided to the Chancellor on all the candidates.
- The Chancellor will provide this information to the members of the UTC Campus Advisory Board, who will make the final selection.
Click here for more information. To apply, click here.
If you have questions, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@utc.edu or 423-425-4761.
Mark your calendar
Announcing the Harris Chair Innovation Mini-Grant Program, a new opportunity for all faculty and staff at UTC to support innovative ideas and solutions. Applicants must have the intention to pursue commercialization of their work through licensing or entrepreneurship. Proposals for funding up to $5,000 will be considered. Click here to apply.
Who is eligible?: UTC faculty and staff from all colleges whose innovative ideas have the potential for commercialization or entrepreneurial endeavors. Early-stage innovations are eligible.
Application process: Interested researchers must apply by Wednesday (Jan. 31) for up to $5,000 in internal grant funding. Please note that direct compensation to the awardee is unallowable. Awardees can use these funds for supplies, travel or other reasonable and allowable expenses under UT policy to accelerate the success of their ideas, innovations and commercialization objectives. Awardees will be announced by Feb. 20.
Contact Thomas-Lyons@utc.edu or Jennifer-Skjellum@utc.edu with questions.
* * * * *
 The UTC Symphony Orchestra concerto concert will feature (from left) Bradley Bee, Ivy Smith, Rose Carroll and Owen Langford. The UTC Symphony Orchestra will present a concerto concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Feb. 4) in the Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
The featured UTC concerto students include a pair of piano performance and pedagogy majors, sophomore Bradley Bee and junior Ivy Smith. Bee will perform “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor Op. 18, 1st movement” by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Smith will perform “Piano Concerto in A Minor Op. 16, 1st movement” by Edvard Grieg.
Senior soprano Rose Carroll, a music therapy major, will perform “Song to the Moon” from “Rusalka” by Antonín Dvořák. Junior baritone Owen Langford, a vocal performance major, will perform “Avant de quitter ces lieux” from “Faust” by Charles Gounod.
* * * * *
Information sessions are taking place for the summer 2024 International Business Experience study abroad course to South Korea, which is open to all UTC students. The course has no prerequisites and includes a two-week international study trip to Seoul, led by Gary W. Rollins College of Business faculty members. Upcoming information session dates:
- Today (Jan. 30): Zoom, 4 p.m.
- Thursday (Feb. 1): Zoom, noon
Students earn three credit hours on the undergraduate level (MGT 4950) or graduate level (MGT 5950). For more information, contact COBInternational@utc.edu or visit COB International Programs.
* * * * *
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures has organized a summer study abroad program to Alcalá de Henares, Spain, UNESCO’s world heritage site. Students go for a month (June, nine credit hours) or two months (June and July, 15 credit hours). Courses embrace different aspects of language, culture and literature, and include diverse content like arts, film, gastronomy, politics and sports.
A general information meeting will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 31) in Lupton Hall Room 239. The program will be explained in detail, including options for scholarships and other forms of aid. Bring your questions (or even better, send them by email in advance) and friends or classmates you think could be interested.
Students interested should email jose-luis-gastanaga@utc.edu to discuss the benefits of a study abroad program and the details of this program.
* * * * *
Scotty McCreery’s “Cab In A Solo Tour” is coming to Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium on Saturday (Feb. 3), and thanks to the Tivoli, an exclusive discount is being offered to UTC students, staff and faculty.
In order to take advantage of this special ticket offer of $20 (plus service fees) to see McCreery and special guests Anne Wilson and Greylan James, click here for the ticket link—then enter the code UTCStudent in the “Unlock” button in the upper right-hand corner of the page to access the discount.
* * * * *
 The Clarence T. Jones Observatory is located at 10 N. Tuxedo Ave. in Chattanooga. The public is invited to the Clarence T. Jones Observatory, owned and operated by UTC, for a free Star Party on Sunday (Feb. 4).
The evening’s topic will be “The Moons of Jupiter” and the featured constellation is Gemini. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with a lecture and Planetarium show beginning at 6 p.m. and telescope viewing until 8 p.m. Seating is limited, so arrive early.
* * * * *
Do you know students who are looking to connect with others? To enhance their capacity to lead friends, teams and organizations? Encourage them to invest in their intentions with Moc LEAD Leading Teams, an interactive 10-week perk-filled cohort certificate program.
These weekly one-hour sessions, led by community leaders, will help active participants recognize how they show up in groups; to discover and market the uniqueness of their organizations; and to identify next steps. This experience is intended to further grow the competencies of establishing priorities, critical thinking, management, conflict resolution and motivation.
- Sessions take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from Feb. 6 through April 16.
- Applications close at 4 p.m. on Monday (Feb. 5).
- More information, including the application, academic data and pictures can be found at utc.edu/moclead.
- Email Daniel-Grzesik@utc.edu with questions. Class promotional visits are available.
* * * * *
The UTC Criminal Justice program is hosting a Criminal Justice Career Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the University Center Tennessee Room.
A variety of local, state and federal organizations will be coming to the event to recruit for employment and internships, and the event is open to all UTC students. Careers in law enforcement, security, corrections, investigations, case management, community services and children’s services will be represented.
For more information, contact Sherah-Basham@utc.edu.
* * * * *
 “Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance” will soon be coming to the UTC Fine Arts Center On Friday, Feb. 16, UTC LIVE! will present “Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance,” a chamber music theater work for actor and trio (cello, piano and percussion). The presentation celebrates the lives of the great African American poets Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay as seen through the eyes of muralist/painter Aaron Douglas.
The following week, from Feb. 22-24, the College of Arts and Sciences will present “Baldwin vs. Buckley” as performed by the New York-based american vicarious theatre group. The troupe will restage the historic debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr.
In preparation for these events, CAS faculty members will be teaching weekly 50-minute sessions leading up to the UTC LIVE! events. Upcoming sessions will meet at noon on the following Wednesdays in Lupton Hall Room 393:
- Wednesday (Jan. 31): Hannah Wakefield (The work of Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God)
- Wednesday, Feb. 7: Chris Stuart (James Baldwin)
These CAS-led sessions are a professional development opportunity for lifelong learning for faculty and staff. Please register at this link and plan on attending all four sessions. Class materials will be made available and attendees will receive a ticket to the Ebony Embers event.
For ticket information, visit the Fine Arts Center website.
* * * * *
Sponsored by the George C. Connor Professorship of American Literature and the UTC Department of English, Take Five 2024 commences this month with a five-book lineup that 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 Chattanooga Room. Each session will offer a light dinner, and no RSVP is necessary. Upcoming spring dates:
- Tuesday, Feb. 13: Dr. Verbie Prevost presents “Dai Sijie’s Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress”
- Tuesday, Feb. 27: Dr. David Pleins presents Emma Smith’s “Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers”
- Tuesday, March 19: Dr. Victoria Bryan presents R.F. Kuang’s “Babel, or the Necessity of Violence”
- Tuesday, April 9: Dr. Bryan Hampton presents Julie Schumacher’s “Dear Committee Members”
All books are available through online retailers and at the UTC Bookstore (423-425-4107). Contact Aaron-Shaheen@utc.edu with questions.
* * * * *
What should you do after graduation? You might want to be a doctor, lawyer, IT tech, financial reporter, engagement educator, environmental activist or philosopher.
From 4-4:50 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, come meet our alumni and find out all the different paths that a degree in Philosophy and Religion can take you. The meet-and-greet will take place in Lupton Hall Room 302. Please email Talia-Welsh@utc.edu with questions.
Following the event, UTC alum Robert Austin Kippes—now a graduate student at Binghamton University-New York, will lead a discussion titled, “Can We Avoid Idealizing Justice?” The talk will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. in Grote Hall Room 411, with a reception to follow.
* * * * *
On Thursday, April 11, the College of Arts and Sciences will be co-hosting Pulitzer-Prize-winning author and sociologist Matthew Desmond in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. Desmond’s latest book, “Poverty, By America,” reached #1 on the New York Times best sellers list shortly after its release; his book “Evicted” won a Pulitzer Prize.
Dr. Zack Simoni in Social, Cultural and Justice Studies will lead a CAS faculty/staff book club on “Poverty, By America” leading up to Desmond’s visit. The six-week discussion group will meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays from Feb. 21 through April 3 in the University Center Chickamauga Room. A copy of the book will be provided.
This CAS-led session is a professional development opportunity for lifelong learning for faculty and staff. To reserve your spot in the class, please register at this link.
Notice of Final Defense: Upcoming Research Presentations
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.
- Today (Jan. 30): Eliza Jackson, 504 McCallie Ave. Building, 1 p.m., Calendar
- Friday (Feb. 2): Emily Turner, UTC Library—English Department Conference Room, 2 p.m., Calendar
- Wednesday, Feb. 7: Amin Riazi, Zoom, noon, Calendar
Campus Updates
Learning and Leadership is currently accepting applications to its summer 2024 Ph.D. and Ed.D. cohorts. If you, your friends or colleagues with a master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution are interested in pursuing their terminal degree in leadership at UTC, we encourage them to apply or to reach out for more information.
Due to the cohort nature of the programs, applications are typically accepted December through February for each incoming summer cohort. New cohorts are admitted in summer only. All application materials, including official transcripts, must be submitted by Thursday, Feb. 29.
We routinely schedule Zoom meetings with the Program Advisor to determine whether our doctoral programs are a good “fit” for prospective applicants’ specific academic and professional goals. Prospective applicants may contact the LEAD Program Office at utclead@utc.edu to schedule a meeting. Click here for more information and the Campus Updates link.
* * * * *
The UTC Center for Professional Education is offering a seven-week Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Prep Course from March 19 through May 2.
Many project managers, program managers, team leads and administrators pursue the globally recognized PMP certification to boost their professional credibility, increase their earning potential, gain a project management framework and develop risk-ready skills.
The course will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30–8 p.m. ET via Zoom.
* * * * *
The UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists is now accepting applications from UT faculty, staff, departments, students and student organizations for the 2024-2025 Circle of Giving Grants Cycle. Proposals can be for a new project or program that benefits the campus or an expansion of an existing program.
Competitive proposals will provide opportunities that inspire leadership and collaboration within the UT Community and leverage support from outside the UT Community.
- The grant request may range from $2,500 to $25,000, but cannot include faculty salaries or overhead.
- Please notify Lindsey-Nabors@utc.edu by Monday, Feb. 12, if you intend to apply for this grant cycle. We can help you prepare the required budget and ensure all application materials are in compliance with the guidelines.
- Applications must be submitted in Cayuse SP by Feb. 19.
* * * * *
 The UTC Counseling Center will be hosting a series of weekly therapy and support groups throughout this semester. Group counseling sessions include:
- Depression Group Counseling (Feb. 1-March 28): Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. in the University Center Sequoyah Room (third floor)
- Student of Color Support Group (Jan. 26-April 26): Fridays from noon-1 p.m. in the Multicultural Center
- Self-Care in College (Feb. 7-April 3): Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. in the University Center Sequoyah Room (third floor)
- Grief Support Group (Jan. 31-April 24): Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. in the University Center Ocoee Room (third floor)
Please email counselingcenter@utc.edu for more information.
* * * * *
Ensure you’ve always got your Mocs Card handy … Get the new Mocs Card mobile ID today. You can use the Mocs Card on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android devices to get into residence halls, campus facilities, meal plan usage and print documents at the library.
You can also use the Mocs Card mobile student ID to access your Scrappy Cash account to make purchases at the bookstore, campus dining, vending machines and other convenient locations on and around campus.
To use your Mocs Card and Scrappy Cash, simply tap your iPhone, Apple Watch or Android device against the reader and you’re done. For more information, click here.
* * * * *
Injured in intramurals? Tweaked something in the gym? Back and neck soreness from hours of studying? Just need guidance getting back to your favorite activities? Check out UTC’s free physical therapy clinic.
The Pro Bono Physical Therapy clinic, located in the Mapp Building, is staffed by UTC Doctor of Physical Therapy students and professors and is 100% free. Clinic hours are 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays. Call University Health Services at 423-425-2266 or email ptclinic@utc.edu for more information.
Looking ahead
 Emma Pedretti (photo courtesy of Dale Rutemeyer/GoMocs.com) This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Thursday (Feb. 1): Wrestling vs. The Citadel, Maclellan Gym, 5 p.m.
- Thursday (Feb. 1): Women’s basketball vs. Wofford, McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
- Saturday (Feb. 3): Women’s basketball vs. Furman, McKenzie Arena, 2 p.m.
- Saturday (Feb. 3): Men’s basketball vs. Samford, McKenzie Arena, 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday (Feb. 4): Men’s tennis vs. Tennessee State, 11 a.m.
- Sunday (Feb. 4): Men’s tennis vs. Sewanee, 6 p.m.
Looking back
 The panel of judges, including Dr. Mina Sartipi, executive director of the UTC Research Institute and Center for Urban Informatics and Progress founding director, listens to competitors at the recent Transportation Forecasting Competition. At this month’s annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), part of the National Academies of Sciences, UTC was a sponsor of a research data challenge drawing competitors from across the country.
* * * * *
Chris Dortch (pictured), an adjunct faculty member in the UTC Department of Communication since 2018, will be inducted into the United States Basketball Writers Association’s Hall of Fame in April.
Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
WUTC Spotlight: Remembering Charles Osgood
Ray Bassett, host and producer of Scenic Roots on WUTC-FM, was Charles Osgood’s last radio producer for The Osgood File.
Bassett honored Osgood, who passed away last week at the age of 91, during a special tribute on Scenic Roots.
Be Well Tip: Make quality sleep a priority
Whether it’s pulling an all-nighter to cram for an exam or the threat of FOMO if you don’t attend that Tuesday night birthday party that will likely keep you out past midnight, there are many reasons it can be tough to prioritize sleep in college. It can be easy to overlook the importance of quality sleep but getting less than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night does more than leave you tired and groggy.
Too little shut-eye has been linked with many physical and mental health impacts, including a weakened immune system, memory issues and difficulty concentrating. As we kick off our Refresh Sleep program, here are a few quick tips for better sleep:
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule to help regulate your body’s internal clock.
- Limit screen time before bedtime. Blue light from phones or laptops can interfere with melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep.
- Be mindful of afternoon and evening caffeine consumption.
- Try to create an ideal sleep environment: comfortable pillows, lower bedroom temperatures and as little light as possible.
To learn more about improving sleep, check out “Finding Mastery: Dr. Matthew Walker, Professor and Sleep Expert” podcast.
If you are struggling with sleep, the Center for Wellbeing’s new Health and Wellness Coaching program can help. Click here to learn more.
|
