July 1-7, 2025
Updates and news for the week of July 1-7, 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 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
Chancellor Lori Bruce Takes the Helm at UTC
 Portrait by Dan Henry/UTC Dr. Lori Bruce officially assumed her role as chancellor of UTC this week, becoming the 19th leader in the University’s history.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Bruce’s journey to UTC.
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Welcome Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi
Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi begins today as dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Yelamarthi joins UTC from Tennessee Tech, where he served as associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering.
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Submit your events for Welcome Week 2025
Our goal for Welcome Week 2025 is to offer a calendar full of fun and engaging events that welcome our students to the start of a new semester, and we need your help.
If you are hosting an event or program during the first week of classes (Aug. 17-23), please submit your event to the official calendar found on the Welcome Week webpage. Click here to access the event submission form. The priority deadline to submit events for the Welcome Week calendar is Friday, July 18. The final deadline is Thursday, Aug. 7.
More information about submitting an event for the Welcome Week calendar can be found here. Contact Director of Student and Family Engagement Laura Petrus with questions.
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Oak Street Residence Hall Groundbreaking
Join the groundbreaking of the Oak Street residence hall at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 21. Parking will be available onsite at 520 Oak St.
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Happy Independence Day!
The University will be closed on Friday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. Please submit any Campus Weekly newsletter notes for next week before 3 p.m. this Thursday, July 3.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Dr. Elizabeth Hathaway, Dr. Tian Li and Jessica Pierce The University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA) is proud to recognize the following faculty and staff who recently received recognition for their outstanding service to the university and community. This year’s recipients include Dr. Elizabeth Hathaway and Dr. Tian Li, who received the Outstanding Teacher Award, and Jessica Pierce, who received the Public Service Award. Each received a certificate and stipend and were invited to attend the Board of Governors Dinner in Knoxville.
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 Anthony McClellan Anthony McClellan has been promoted to assistant vice chancellor for Facilities Planning and Management. He is in his sixth year at UTC, having formerly served at the executive director of Facilities Planning and Operations. He replaces Tom Ellis, who retired after more than 30 years with the University.
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 Assistant Professor Rich Walker and ichthyology students during a research excursion to Falling Water Creek. Dr. Rich Walker’s project, titled “The Cicadian Rhythm: Integrated Research And Education To Reveal The Cascading Effects Of A Rare But Massive Terrestrial Resource Pulse In Stream Ecosystem,” is now drawing national recognition.
He is one of just 36 early-career faculty members nationwide to be named a 2025 recipient of the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), a consortium of over 160 colleges and universities that collaborates with federal agencies to advance health and scientific knowledge.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Dr. Saeid Golkar, UC Foundation associate professor of political science, spoke to The Washington Post and Local 3 News about the attacks on Iran.
- Two UTC faculty members, J. Burton Frierson Chair of Excellence in Business Leadership Mark Mendenhall and Professor of Mathematics John Graef, have been recognized as ranking around the world’s leading scientists by Research.com.
- Scott L. Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise Claudia Kramer spoke to Local 3 News about her research on the national narrative on immigration.
- An “On Target News” article about UTC’s urban canopy assessment featured GIS Director Charlie Mix.
- Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall discussed his report on job growth and poverty for a NewsChannel 9 story.
- Vice Chancellor for Research Reinhold Mann spoke to News 12 Now about UTC’s quantum research.
- Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton sat down for an interview with Collegiate Sports Connect.
- Dr. Eric Hungenberg, associate professor of sport, outdoor recreation and tourism management and head of the Department of Health and Human Performance, discussed tourism in Chattanooga for a NewsChannel 9 story.
- A device created by Gary W. Rollins College of Business’ Megan Cales was featured in a Teknovation.biz feature story.
Mark Your Calendar
The Center for Wellbeing is offering a series of trainings and discussions for faculty and staff this summer. If interested, please 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 with questions or to request a training.
- Today (July 1): Recovery Allyship: How to Support Students Who Are Struggling or Have Struggled with Substance Use, Zoom, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 10: Mental Health First Aid, University Center Room 350, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. both days
- Wednesday, July 9: Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone, University Center Room 350, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 11: Sleep Matters: Improving Sleep Among Employees and Students, Zoom, 11 a.m.-noon
- Wednesday, July 16: QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer and Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, University Center Room 350, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 23: Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Prioritizing Wellness Through the Semester Discussion, University Center Room 350, 11 a.m.-noon
- Thursday, July 31: Recovery Allyship: How to Support Students Who Are Struggling or Have Struggled with Substance Use, Zoom, noon-2 p.m.
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Operation Move In takes place Wednesday, Aug. 13, and Thursday, Aug. 14, for incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Housing and Residence Life could use as many hands as possible to make this day go as smoothly as possible for our newest residents. If you are interested in volunteering for OMI, please fill out the OMI volunteer signup form and share the link with others.
Those who volunteer will receive a meal voucher for UTC Dining and a signature OMI T-shirt as a special thank you. Learn more here.
For more information, contact OMI committee chair Jason Harville.
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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
The inaugural meeting of the Staff Senate will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Monday, July 14, in the Benwood Auditorium of the ECS Building. Chancellor Lori Bruce is scheduled to speak. Staff unable to attend in person can join virtually (link coming soon).
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Employees enrolled in the State of Tennessee and Higher Education Health Insurance can earn $50 by completing a biometric wellness screening. Screenings will be held from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on July 14, Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 at University Health Services.
Appointments are required and will open on Monday, July 7. There is no employee access fee, but lab billing will be filed through your insurance—please bring your insurance information to your appointment.
To prepare, download and print the Physician Results Form. You must complete your RealAge assessment before accessing the form. For assistance, call 1-855-623-9355. For questions about the screening process, call 423-425-2266.
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The Esports Complex is usually reserved for our students, but this July, we’re opening it up just for you. We’re planning a faculty and staff-only tournament, and we want to hear which games you’d like to compete in.
Whether you’re casually competitive or secretly elite, now’s your chance to step into the arena, connect with colleagues and have some fun.
Help us choose the game with this link. The top selection will be featured during the tournament in mid-to-late July. We’ll follow up directly with those who complete the survey to share next steps and registration info.
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The testing center is looking for individuals interested in helping with the administration of the ACT on UTC’s campus. This is a paid position, and proctors and room supervisors are needed for the 2025-26 school year. If you are interested in working—for one session or both—please email Cathy Jackson.
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The CEACSE Research Innovation and Strategic Expansion (RISE) program is now accepting proposals for early-stage, high-potential research projects that strengthen UTC’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) and the Quantum Center.
Selected projects may receive up to $70,000 for the 2026 calendar year, supporting one month of summer salary for faculty or research staff, full-year PhD student support and additional research expenses.
- Deadline: Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, to both Hannah Archer and Claudia Colpo.
- Eligibility: Lead PIs must be faculty, research faculty or postdocs at a UT System institution. If not UTC-based, the PI must advise a UTC PhD student supported by the project.
- Project Period: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026.
For full details and submission guidelines, view the Request for Proposals (RFP). Questions may be directed to Hannah Archer.
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Faculty and staff, are you passionate about student well-being and fostering a culture of wellness on your campus or with partners across the UT System? The new Wellness Mini Grants Program is here to support your innovative ideas.
The program offers up to ten $5,000 grants for faculty and staff to pilot projects that focus on the eight SAMHSA-defined wellness dimensions, promote collaboration across and between campuses, and create scalable, measurable student wellness innovations.
Projects that are measurable, collaborative and have a role for a student will be prioritized. Click here to learn more and apply. The application is just a short, three-page PDF and is due Friday, Aug. 1. For questions or concerns contact the UT Chief Wellness Officer.
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Undergraduate Admissions announced its Power C Tour and other important dates for the 2025-2026 academic year:
- Sept. 17: Power C Tour Nashville/Franklin
- Oct. 2: Power C Tour Memphis
- Nov. 4: Power C Tour Knoxville
- Nov. 12: Power C Tour Chattanooga
- Nov. 15: Blue and Gold Preview
- Feb. 27: Accepted Student Day
- March 25: Power C Tour transfer at ChattState
- April 11: Blue and Gold Preview Spring Edition
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The Center for Wellbeing launched its Mental Health Ally training program for faculty and staff to recognize employees on campus who are engaging and learning how to best support our students’ mental health. Trainings included in the Mental Health Ally program are QPR (one hour), Suicide Prevention Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (one hour), Psychological First Aid (one hour) and Mental Health First Aid (eight hours). Complete trainings and receive recognition on campus for your dedication to improving outcomes for students.
Recognition tiers:
- Certificate of completion: Every training
- Mental health ally sticker to display: Complete QPR, Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, and Psychological First Aid
- Mental health ally sweatshirt: Complete Mental Health First Aid
- Mental health ally recognition on Center for Wellbeing website and Campus Newsletter: Complete all four trainings
If you have questions about this program, please reach out to Amy Kyriakidis or Megan McKnight.
UTC Newsroom
 Sydney Banks holds the UTC flag in front of the Nyhavn Canal in Copenhagen. Photo by Clara Paulson. UTC Brock Scholar and communication major Clara Paulson recently took part in a study abroad experience in Scandinavia sponsored by the Honors College. Her story, in words and pictures.
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 Richard Winham was issued a special proclamation at his retirement benefit concert, declaring June 22 as “Richard Winham Day.” Richard Winham wants the world to know two things: Radio is not dead. Neither is Richard Winham.
He has quietly become one of Chattanooga’s most familiar voices, not by chasing the spotlight, but as he put it, staying “on the edge of it.” After a long, successful career that includes launching the station’s first morning music show, curating daily music programming, producing live sessions with local and touring artists, and mentoring generations of students interested in broadcasting, Winham is retiring.
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 Nursing student Carly Chastain takes a patient’s blood pressure. A typical day with UTC’s MobileMOC team includes students, faculty and staff providing care, screenings and support to older adults at rural senior centers like the one in Dayton, Tennessee. The mobile health unit offers consistent, accessible services while giving students experience in nursing, social work and other fields. For many community members, it’s a reliable and convenient way to receive care close to home.
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 UC Foundation Professor of Medical Anthropology Zibin Guo Dr. Zibin Guo has spent more than two decades exploring how ancient traditions can help address the challenges of modern life. That research is now the subject of his second book, “Adaptive Tai Chi: An Accessible Practice for Empowering Body and Mind,” which will be available in July.
WUTC
 423Spoonz An episode of WUTC’s “Live in the Library” with Richard Winham featured 423Spoonz, a harmonica player and an ace blues player in Chattanooga.
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