July 21-27, 2026
Updates and news for the week of July 21-27, 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
The Chancellor’s Office has moved
The Chancellor’s Office has relocated from Founders Hall to the Alumni House, located at 551 Oak St. In addition to the Chancellor’s Office staff, this also includes Dr. Matt Matthews and the Office of the Provost and Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development Jermaine Freeman.
Be on the lookout for information regarding an open house to see the offices in one of the most historic buildings on campus.
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Volunteer for Operation Move In
 Dr. Andrew McCarthy helps unload belongings from a pickup truck into a move-in bin during 2025’s Operation Move In. Operation Move In (OMI) 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 19-20, in residential spaces for new students across campus.
OMI provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and organizations to come together and create a welcoming, supportive environment for incoming students and their families. A campuswide committee is coordinating the two-day event, with volunteer roles including unloading, moving, parking and greeting.
Those interested in volunteering can register here. For more information, contact the OMI Volunteer Committee co-chairs Erica Holmes Trujillo and Dr. Andrew McCarthy at omi@utc.edu.
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Save the dates for recruitment events
Undergraduate Admissions has announced its fall 2026 recruitment event schedule. Faculty and staff are encouraged to save the dates and help spread the word to prospective students and families.
- Sept. 30: Power C Tour – Nashville/Franklin
- Oct. 8: Power C Tour – Memphis
- Oct. 21: Power C Tour – Knoxville
- Oct. 28: Power C Tour – Chattanooga
- Nov. 14: Blue and Gold Preview
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Celebrate Founder’s Day
UTC will kick off a yearlong celebration of its 140th anniversary on Founder’s Day, Sept. 15, honoring the university’s history while highlighting its continued impact on Chattanooga and beyond.
As part of the celebration, the campus community is invited to participate in two anniversary initiatives:
- 1886 Challenge: Faculty, staff and students will work together to complete 18,860 hours of community service during the anniversary year.
- 140 Community Events for 140 Years: UTC will recognize and support 140 community-focused events led by faculty, staff and students that strengthen connections with the Chattanooga community.
Additional information about Founder’s Week events, the anniversary initiatives and ways to participate will be shared in the coming weeks.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Dr. Kim Wingate The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provided its fourth-quarter report for the 2026 fiscal year. Among those receiving awards during the quarter was Dr. Kim Wingate (School of Education), who received $1,114,074 from the Tennessee Department of Education for the project titled “Grow Your Own Apprenticeship (FY2026-FY2027).”
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Three UTC employees were recognized with 2026 University of Tennessee Alumni Association awards:
- Emily Alonge, associate lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, received an Outstanding Teacher Award.
- Michael Standard, assistant professor and studio librarian in the UTC Library Studio, received an Outstanding Teacher Award.
- Julia Bursch, chief operating officer of the UTC Research Institute, received a Public Service Award recognizing her contributions to the welfare and good of the public.
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 Dr. Jenny Hogg The applications of research at the UTC range from quantum and the automotive industry to Tennessee’s rivers and streams, and even to track, field and hardwood.
Dr. Jenny Hogg, an athletic training professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, aims to help athletes perform at their best. Using augmented reality and machine learning, Hogg’s research examines athletes’ biomechanical performance and methods to improve it.
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 UTC Police Cpl. Ginger Dockery and Chief Sean O’Brien The UTC Police Department recently recognized seven officers for promotions in honor of their leadership, dedication and service to the campus community. Aaron Bayer, Ross Brenza, Benjamin Chassen and Jeffrey Muzyn were promoted to sergeant, while Ellen Centers, Ginger Dockery and Corey Ward were promoted to corporal. The promotions recognize each officer’s commitment to protecting and serving the UTC community.
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 From left: Tom Rybolt, Ann Rybolt, Gail Meyer, Titus Albu, Jim Narramore, Doug Kutz, Gretchen Potts, Paula Hayes, Greg Grant, Beverly Kutz, Helen Gross, Nancy Tolar and Jisook Kim Current and retired UTC faculty gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of longtime faculty member and former Department of Chemistry head Doug Kutz. Kutz spent decades teaching and leading the Department of Chemistry, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- UC Foundation Associate Professor of Political Science Saeid Golkar was interviewed by Quotidiano Nazionale, one of Italy’s leading national newspapers, and the French news magazine Le Point. He also wrote an op-ed for the Middle East Forum.
- Department Head and Professor of Engineering Management and Technology Erkan Kaplanoglu and Interim Vice Chancellor for Research Mina Sartipi were featured in a Teknovation.biz story about UTC’s new Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative.
- Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science DeAnna Beasley spoke to NewsChannel 9 about the spotted lanternfly in Tennessee.
- Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall spoke to the Times Free Press about his forecast for job growth in the Chattanooga region.
- West Chair of Excellence in Communication and Public Affairs Brandon Bouchillon recently published a new research article and received the Top Paper Award from the Communication Theory and Methodology Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Mark Your Calendar
UTC departments seeking student employees are invited to participate in the Part-Time Job Fair during Weeks of Welcome. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, in the University Center Tennessee Room and provides an opportunity to connect with students looking for part-time employment opportunities on campus.
Departments interested in participating can contact Marli Wolff, assistant director of community and employer relations, for registration information.
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 Photo courtesy of Derek Daniel/GoMocs.com Kickoff times and promotions have been announced for the Chattanooga Mocs’ 2026 home football schedule at Finley Stadium:
- Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee Tech, 6 p.m.
- Future Fans Night (free admission for children 12 and younger)
- Annual Little Mocs Walk
- Light-up rally towel giveaway for the first 1,000 fans
- Sept. 19 vs. Wofford, 6 p.m.
- White Out Game
- UTC Fall Family Weekend
- Mocs Flock Finley
- Academic Night
- Oct. 10 vs. Samford, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 31 vs. VMI, 1 p.m.
- Halloween with the Mocs
- Scrappy Kids Club Day
- Senior Day
- Nov. 7 vs. Mercer, 1 p.m.
- Homecoming
- Fan Appreciation Game
- Band Day
Season tickets are on sale now through GoMocs.com.
Campus Updates
Thank you to everyone who submitted hours for the 1886 Challenge. So far, 246 hours have been completed. Faculty, staff and students can click here to submit hours throughout the academic year.
Resident Director Kinlee Allen recently took a group of resident assistants to volunteer at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, where they helped clean the warehouse and pack meal boxes.
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UTC is launching the MocsBooks Total Access Program for undergraduate students beginning in fall 2026. The new course material delivery program provides required materials for participating courses by the first day of class, with costs included on the university billing statement at $22 per credit hour. The program is expected to save students 35-50% compared to purchasing materials individually. Click here to learn more.
How it works:
- Register for classes as usual.
- Approximately one month before classes begin, students will receive an email from the bookstore partner with instructions for reviewing courses and selecting how they would like to receive materials.
- The UTC Bookstore will prepare course materials and notify students when they are ready.
- Physical materials can be picked up at the UTC Bookstore or shipped directly to students.
- Digital materials will be available through Canvas.
- Students with rental materials will receive reminders about return deadlines at the end of the semester.
Benefits include:
- Lower costs on required course materials
- Access to course materials by the first day of class
- Digital materials delivered directly through Canvas
- One streamlined process for obtaining required course materials
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The Working Families Tax Cuts Act of 2025 includes significant changes to federal student aid programs for enrollment periods beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Updates include new federal loan borrowing limits for students and parents, a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), changes to Pell Grant eligibility and revisions to FAFSA need analysis.
UTC has launched a dedicated resource page with information about the legislation and its potential impact on students. The page will be updated as additional guidance becomes available. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the website regularly for the latest information.
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Want to learn more about the Mosaic Program? The Mosaic team is visiting departments across campus to share program updates, introduce new staff members and answer questions about supporting UTC’s neurodiverse community—all while bringing cookies.
Departments interested in hosting a Cookies and Conversation session can scan the QR code on the flyer to schedule a visit.
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 Adobe Stock Image As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of day-to-day work across industries, the UTC Center for Professional Education will offer two online programs in September to help working professionals build practical AI skills for different needs and experience levels.
The two offerings are AI Essentials with Prompting, a live online workshop scheduled for Sept. 15 and Sept. 17, and CompTIA Security AI+ Certification Prep, an eight-week live online course that begins Sept. 19. Together, the programs give learners two entry points into AI-related professional development: one focused on broad workplace fluency, productivity and responsible use, and one designed for cybersecurity professionals working in a threat environment increasingly shaped by AI. Click here for more information or to register.
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Love to read? The UTC Book Club invites faculty, staff and students to connect through monthly book discussions and shared reading. Building on the success of the campus group, a new community initiative—Chatty Book Club—will launch in August with the goal of bringing readers across Chattanooga together through a shared monthly book selection, discussion questions and local meetups.
Follow the UTC Book Club and Chatty Book Club on Instagram for updates, and watch for the announcement of Chatty Book Club’s first book on July 31.
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The Institute of Contemporary Art Chattanooga is now showcasing “Reconsidered Recollections,” a new exhibition co-curated by UTC students featuring works from the ICA’s permanent collection. The exhibition explores themes of identity, memory and interpretation through artworks that are rarely on public display.
The exhibition is free and open to the public at the Fine Arts Center on UTC’s campus. Learn more about gallery hours and programming at ICA Chattanooga.
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The UTC Library is making it easier for students, faculty and staff to explore all the city has to offer.
Through the Chattanooga Passport program, members of the UTC community can check out passes to some of the area’s most popular attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Theatre Centre and Chattanooga Football Club.
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Due to nearby construction, the Oak Street entrance to Lot 26A is closed and several parking spaces near that entrance have been temporarily fenced off. The closure is expected to remain in place through Aug. 1.
Faculty, staff and students should use the McCallie Avenue entrance to access Lot 26A during this time. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time when traveling to campus.
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If someone experiences an opioid overdose on UTC’s campus, University leaders want a life-saving resource nearby.
This spring, UTC completed the installation of 52 ONEbox naloxone stations across campus, placing them in buildings alongside other emergency equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
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Please be advised that Vine Street, between Palmetto Street and the University Greenway, will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during Freshman Orientation sessions on the following dates and times:
- 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, through 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30
Parking Lots 10, 11 and 12 will remain open. Access to these lots will be available through the detour route via Parking Lot 15. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UTC Department of Public Safety at (423) 425-4357 or dps@utc.edu.
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The Manage My Housing portal is open now until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, for students to change their fall 2026 residential meal plan. Meal plan eligibility is based on earned credit hours. If your spring 2026 or summer 2026 credits will change your student classification, please wait until final grades are submitted before you attempt to make a change.
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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A Moc’s First Year is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to host a First Class session on Friday, Aug. 21, immediately following Convocation.
Volunteers will spend about an hour welcoming new students, leading a brief activity, sharing tips for a successful first week and helping students feel more comfortable as they begin their college experience. Click here to volunteer.
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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. Please contact Deborah McAllister or click this link for project details.
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UTC Choruses has openings for tenor and bass singers for the upcoming academic year, with scholarship opportunities available for select positions.
Openings are available in the UTC Chamber Singers and Orpheus Chorale. The Chamber Singers is an advanced, auditioned ensemble with a history of regional, national and international touring. Auditions take approximately 10 minutes and include a brief vocal selection, range check and sight-reading. Students interested in auditioning can contact Kevin Ford to schedule a time.
Students can also join Chattanooga Singers (MUS 0020) or Orpheus Chorale (MUS 0027), both of which are open to all experience levels and do not require an audition. All ensembles are offered for one credit or zero credit, allowing flexibility for students with varying course loads.
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An Academic Meeting Professionals Conference will take place Aug. 27-28 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, offering professional development and networking opportunities for meeting and event planners across the University of Tennessee System.
Designed specifically for UT employees, the conference features sessions focused on event planning, logistics, budgeting, communication, vendor management and guest experience. Attendees will hear from industry professionals, including Dollywood experts, and have the opportunity to connect with UT colleagues and a range of vendors. Click here to register.
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The Counseling Center has partnered with Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center to offer extended services on the UTC campus. Parkridge at UTC is open from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and offers individual therapy, group therapy and intensive outpatient services for students, faculty and staff.
The Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center is located off the UC Foundation Apartments courtyard (Suite 5217). To schedule an initial appointment, call 423-468-5213. Students who are already receiving services through the UTC Counseling Center are encouraged to speak with their provider about whether Parkridge at UTC is a good fit for their needs.
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UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Tennessee residents at UTC and includes required mentoring and community service. Student Success Programs has received requests from UT Promise students for mentors to help support them during their time at UTC, with students required to meet with a mentor at least once per semester for guidance, questions and goal-focused encouragement. Faculty and staff can complete the interest form or contact Student Success Programs with questions, and additional information will be shared with those who express interest.
UTC Newsroom
 Kimele Carter Kimele Carter, executive director of the Center for Student Accessibility at UTC, brings decades of higher education experience to her role. A self-described lifelong campus person, Carter grew up around college campuses, began her career in academic advising and later found her calling in accessibility services.
Carter’s role involves helping students connect with accommodations, assistive technology, guidance and support. She wants students to know the space is welcoming, not intimidating, and that any student can stop by with questions.
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 Dr. Keenan Dungey (right) collects samples in Bumbee Creek. On a summer morning in the mountains of East Tennessee, a group of UTC students and researchers waded through the waters of Bumbee Creek.
The group filled bottles with stream water and documented conditions at each site. Back on campus, those samples would help researchers identify pollutants that could be affecting the laurel dace, one of North America’s most endangered fish.
WUTC
 Dr. Claudia Kramer Scott L. Probasco Jr. Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise Claudia Kramer joined WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” to discuss the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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