March 18-24, 2025

Updates and news for the week of March 18-24, 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.

UTC News  |  UTC Events Calendar  |  Campus Updates

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Highlights

DOUGLAS STREET AND OAK STREET INTERSECTION TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The intersection of Douglas Street and Oak Street is temporarily closed as part of the Fletcher Hall expansion project.

This long-term closure reroutes vehicular traffic and affects pedestrian access in the area. Douglas Street is closed from McCallie Avenue to Oak Street, with limited one-way access for Christ Church Episcopal (located at 663 Douglas St.).

Construction fencing has been installed around designated work zones, impacting access to Fletcher Hall (660 Douglas St.) and Alumni House (551 Oak St.). ADA-accessible paths have been adjusted and detour routes have been put in place to accommodate the closure.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to plan alternate routes and use caution when navigating near the construction zone. UTC Facilities Planning and Management, in coordination with the Department of Public Safety, will provide updates as needed.

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MEN’S BASKETBALL HEADS TO NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT

The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team heads to Murfreesboro for the opening round of the 2025 National Invitation Tournament (photo courtesy of Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com).

The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team is set to take the court tonight (March 18) in the 2025 National Invitational Tournament (NIT), facing Middle Tennessee State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Chattanooga (24-9) and Middle Tennessee (22-11) are competing in the Dayton region, where the Dayton Flyers hold the top seed among the eight-team group.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO HOST NIT MATCHUP

For the seventh time in program history, Chattanooga women’s basketball will see its season extended with the team receiving a spot in the 2025 Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The Mocs (16-14) will host Alabama A&M (21-10) at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, at McKenzie Arena. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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NOMINATE OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND STAFF FOR THE ALUMNI AWARDS

Dr. Jose Barbosa

Each year, the University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA) honors outstanding UTC faculty and staff through two prestigious awards: the Outstanding Teacher and Public Service Awards. Each award includes a $1,000 honorarium and an invitation to the reception and dinner of the UTAA Board of Governors. Applications are due Monday, March 31. Click here to nominate.

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SEND IN YOUR INFORMATION FOR THE UTC PARENT AND FAMILY ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

It is again time to recruit campus partners to send in information for the UTC Parent and Family Association newsletter, a monthly roundup distributed to more than 5,400 parents/family members.

To share information with the families of UTC students—upcoming events, important deadlines, helpful suggestions and departmental news—email Hannah Turcotte by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 24. The April newsletter will be emailed to members Wednesday, April 2.

• Please keep info to one paragraph of 200 (or fewer) words.
• Images or logos to accompany the paragraph may be submitted.
• Click here to see a sample of a recent PFA newsletter.

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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT UTC

To honor the sacrifices and changes women have set forth in history, the Center for Women and Gender Equity (WaGE) at the UTC celebrates Women’s History Month throughout March.

Women’s History Month calendar of events include:

• Monday, March 24: Gender and Neurodiversity Chat, Disability Resource Center (University Center 352), noon
• Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30: Women’s Leadership Academy, Ocoee Retreat Center
• Monday, March 31: Stitch and Bitch, Lupton Hall 118, noon

Outstanding People of UTC

UC Foundation Professor of Psychology Amye Warren

The College of Arts and Sciences will celebrate Dr. Amye Warren at its annual faculty spotlight event on Thursday, March 20. Now in its fourth year, the Spotlight on Faculty Excellence series highlights exceptional CAS faculty, offering them a platform to showcase their research, scholarship and creative work to the UTC campus and Chattanooga community.

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Pearson Smith (left) and Harrison Faulkner

A social entrepreneurship team comprised of two UTC theatre students has been selected to compete in the Hult Prize 2025 United States National Competition—a contest challenging students to develop innovative business solutions for global issues. Senior Pearson Smith—UTC’s first theatre entrepreneurship major—and junior Harrison Faulkner, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in theatre, will represent the University this weekend at the Hult International Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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Gary W. Rollins College of Business students Taylor Dunagan, Jacob Gould, Brooke McMillen, Nevaeh Morris, Vanee Patel, Justin Straus and Erin Yenawine were named 2024-25 John C. Stophel Distinguished Students by Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C.

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Sergio Desiante (pictured), Noah Castillo and Blake Boarman earned berths in the NCAA Wrestling Championships (photo courtesy of Laura O’Dell/GoMocs.com).

The NCAA Wrestling Championships brackets were announced last week, with three Chattanooga Mocs wrestlers earning spots in the tournament.

Blake Boarman (133 pounds), Noah Castillo (157 pounds) and Sergio Desiante (174 pounds) will make their first appearances at the event. Castillo and Desiante secured automatic bids by winning their weight classes at the Southern Conference Championships, while Boarman earned one of two league allocations.

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Coach Blaine Woodruff, Ethan Whitaker, Garrett Engle, Braedon Wear, Dalton Chuba, Camden Braidech and Assistant Coach Ryan Hogan (photo credit: GoMocs.com)

The Chattanooga Mocs won the Babygrande Golf Donald Ross Collegiate with a total score of 25-under 839, finishing 23 strokes ahead of second-place George Mason University. The team closed the tournament with an impressive 18-under 270 in the final round.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• Dr. Christina Policastro, UC Foundation associate professor of criminal justice, was on News Channel 9’s This n That to talk about the UTC Graduate School.
• Assistant Professor of Anthropology Emma McDonell was interviewed for episodes of the Gastropod Podcast and the Eat This Podcast to discuss her new book, “The Quinoa Bust: The Making and Unmaking of an Andean Miracle Crop.”
• A Times Free Press article on the five-year anniversary of COVID-19 closing Hamilton County Schools featured Valerie Rutledge, dean of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies.

Mark Your Calendar

Olivia Lipari (photo credit: Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com)

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Today, March 18: Softball vs. Kennesaw State, Frost Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21: Softball vs. UNC Greensboro (DH), Frost Stadium, 1 p.m.
• Saturday, March 21: Women’s Basketball vs. Alabama A&M, McKenzie Arena, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, March 22: Men’s Tennis vs. Mercer, UTC Tennis Center, noon
• Sunday, March 22: Softball vs. UNC Greensboro, Frost Stadium, 2 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:

• Today (March 18): Dr. Verbie Prevost presents Larry Brown’s “Dirty Work”
• Tuesday, April 8: Dr. Bryan Hampton presents Julie Schumacher’s “The Shakespeare Requirement”

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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Professor M.T. Samuel of the UTC Department of History is offering an LSAT prep workshop for students interested in applying to law school. The four-session workshop will take place on from 4:30-5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays in EMCS 232. Sessions will take place today (March 18), March 25, April 1 and April 8.

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The Center for Academic Support and Advisement invites you to UTC’s annual Majors and Minors Fair from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, in the University Center Tennessee Room. If you are a student undecided on your major or considering changing your major, this event is a great opportunity to talk with faculty members in departments across campus about majors or minors you may be considering. If you have already chosen a major or minor, this is also a great opportunity to connect with faculty in your chosen department.

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The Meacham Writers’ Workshop, one of UTC’s longest-running literary traditions, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this spring with a series of readings, receptions and special events featuring award-winning writers, UTC alums and emerging voices.

The 2025 Spring Meacham Writers’ Workshop, taking place March 19-22, is free and open to the public—with events held at various locations on the UTC campus and at Stove Works (1250 E. 13th St. in Chattanooga). Since its inception in 1985, the workshop has provided a platform for nationally known authors, local writers, students and novice writers to engage in an open exchange of ideas, works and readings.

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After last month’s great turnout, WUTC is excited to bring back the Morning Coffee Meetup. Join WUTC for a casual morning coffee and connect with the voices behind your favorite WUTC-FM 88.1 shows. Meet the hosts, staff and fellow listeners from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, at Be Caffeinated coffee shop on the North Shore (14 W Kent St.). We’ll be gathering on the cozy enclosed patio and everyone is welcome—no RSVP or cost required. Don’t miss this chance to mingle, chat and get to know the WUTC team.

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The Center for Wellbeing is offering a monthly line-up of trainings for faculty and staff. 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.

• Thursday, March 20: Suicide Prevention Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale University Center Room 350, noon-1 p.m. (Lunch will be provided)
• Thursday, March 27: Psychological First Aid, University Center Room 350, noon-1 p.m. (Lunch will be provided)

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The next Quantum Journal Club will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, in the Math Department Conference Room (Lupton Hall Room 308). Wilhelm Treschow, a doctoral student in mathematics at Lund University, Sweden, will be the featured speaker for the meeting.

Treschow’s presentation, “Impurity Spectra in Crystal Lattices,” will examine the behavior of embedded eigenvalues in Schrödinger operators with asymptotically periodic potentials. These eigenvalues, which lie within the continuous spectrum, are highly sensitive to perturbations. The talk will explore their role in quantum systems, particularly how local impurities or external potentials affect electron behavior in crystalline solids.

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Please join the CAS Access and Inclusive Excellence Committee in celebrating Dr. Amye Warren and her work. For the last four decades, Warren’s work has involved applying lessons from language and cognitive development research to improving educational and justice outcomes for children, adolescents and autistic individuals. Her talk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, in Lupton Hall Room 120, will discuss the intersectionality between psychology, language and the justice system. A reception will be held afterwards.

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The Department of Chemistry and Physics continues its spring semester seminar series with “Ether Dynamics and Unification of Gravitational and Electromagnetic Forces,” a talk presented by Dr. Ling Jun “Eddie” Wang, professor of physics in the Department of Chemistry and Physics. The event will take place from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Friday, March 21, in Grote Hall Room 129.

In this talk, based on over 30 years of scholarship at UTC, Wang will present his theory of Ether Dynamics, which unifies the Biot-Savart law and the Lorentz force law in electrodynamics. His research demonstrates that the magnetic field arises from the vorticity of ether and introduces a dynamic gravitational force to complement Isaac Newton’s static gravitational force. This work contributes to the long-standing effort in the physics community to unify gravitational and electromagnetic forces.

For event details, click here.

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Join Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, in Derthick Hall Room 101, for a queer theory film screening of “Angels in America.” This is an opportunity to view both parts of HBO’s broadcast of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

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Attend a Star Party on Sunday, March 23, at UTC’s Clarence T. Jones Observatory. The event is free and open to the public.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the lecture and planetarium show beginning at 7 p.m. and rotating every half hour. A telescope viewing will be available until 9 p.m., featuring Chattanooga’s historic 20.5-inch telescope. The topic of the night is “Procession of the Equinoxes” by Wesley Foster, Chattanooga State assistant professor of physics.

Seating is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early. The Clarence T. Jones Observatory is located at 10 N. Tuxedo Ave.

For more information, visit the Observatory webpage.

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Students, sign up to participate in the Fly Pitch competition in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on Thursday, April 17, and you could win up to $5,000.

• Prepare a pitch for a new business
• Present it to judges
• The top three winners get a grant from the Patton Foundation

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Join the Master of Public Health program for Nourishing Minds in Research Bites from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, in the Metropolitan Building Room 306. The event, sponsored by Cengage Learning and the HHP Department, will feature presentations by MPH students Emily Holden and Brittany Rogers and faculty member Marissa McElrone. Food and beverages will be provided.

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Join the Women’s History Month Book Club from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, March 28, in the Southern Writer’s Room (UTC Library Room 440) to discuss “The Grace Year” by Kim Liggett.

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The School of Nursing is excited to invite you to the MobileMOC campus celebration from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31, between Hunter Hall and Chamberlain Field. Stop by to tour our new Medical Outreach Clinic, an interprofessional primary care unit designed to serve older adults and caregivers in rural Tennessee while also providing students with a unique, nontraditional clinical experience. A ribbon cutting will be held at 1:45 p.m.

For more information, text/call (423) 402-0330 or email MobileMOC.

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Business students are invited to an exclusive Unum Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at Unum’s downtown office, where they can explore internship and full-time opportunities, network with company representatives and tour the office.

A van is available for 11 students on a first-come, first-served basis, or attendees may drive themselves. Space is limited, so RSVP by emailing Megan Cales by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 28, indicating transportation needs and any dietary restrictions.

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Emma McDonell

Join a Q&A and book launch for “The Quinoa Bust: The Making and Unmaking of an Andean Miracle Crop” with UTC Anthropology Professor Emma McDonell, facilitated by UTC Sociology Professor Natalie Blanton. The event will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 4, in the Roth Reading Room at the UTC Library.

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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.

• Wednesday (March 19): Collin Kilmer, ECS Room 239, 4 p.m., Calendar
• Friday (March 21): Mark Horlu, Lupton Hall Room 303, 1:30 p.m., Calendar
• Tuesday (March 25): Joshua Tyler, Multidisciplinary Research Building Auditorium, 3 p.m., Calendar

Campus Updates

Details for the Spring 2025 CHAIN (Chattanooga’s Artificial Intelligence Network) Lunch and Learn Series have been posted. From practical applications to the future of the AI landscape, you’ll learn how to utilize AI in your business and in your life while networking with peers in the Chattanooga area.

Monthly sessions will be held at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursdays through May, and lunch is included. Check out the CHAIN webpage or call the Center for Professional Education (423-425-4344) to register or for more info. The cost is $25 per session. Departments may pay with a transfer voucher after registration.

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The Humanities Program invites all UTC undergraduates to participate in the North Callahan Essay Prize, awarded each year to an undergraduate whose exceptionally fine essay addresses a subject related to the Humanities (art, music, philosophy, religion, rhetoric/literature, history, theater, or interdisciplinary studies that combine these disciplines). Essays will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary committee of professors. The prize carries a $1,000 award.

Funding for the award is provided by an endowment established by the late Dr. North Callahan, distinguished professor emeritus of history at New York University, author of 17 books and an alumnus of the University of Chattanooga.

Essays must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 21. Click here for the submission form PDF. Email Jose Luis Gastanaga with questions and to submit the essay.

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The Center for Wellbeing is launching 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.

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WUTC 88.1 FM, Chattanooga’s NPR station, is excited to announce changes to its program schedule. These updates are designed to provide a more seamless listening experience by offering longer blocks of music and talk programming, while also introducing new local shows to the lineup.

Listeners can look forward to an expanded roster of locally produced programs, including:

• “Tuesday Bluesday” with Jhett Black
• “Grateful Dead Monday” with Chants In The Void
• “Scenic Sounds” with Alex Volz
• “All Request Chattanooga” with Alex Volz
• “The Moonlight Mile” with Clark Gibson
• “Night Drive” with Sara Mirucki
• The return of “Please Be Quiet Please” with Josh and Jeremy Pickard
• “Chord Drift” with Paul Jorgensen
• “Signal and Nosie” with Brandon Herring

Popular WUTC programs like “The Richard Winham Show” and “Scenic Roots” with Ray Bassett will continue in their familiar time slots, with some expansions to better serve audiences. “The Haley Solomon Show” is now airing live from 1-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Learn more and view the full schedule here.

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Starting in June, rising second to sixth graders in the Challenger Exploration Camp will have the opportunity to participate in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) challenges, rocket launches and explorations of space and Earth. Each day, campers can also go on excursions to locations such as the Chattanooga Zoo, the UTC Aquatic and Recreation Center, the Clarence T. Jones Observatory and the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

To learn more about the Challenger STEM Learning Center and to access a link to the Challenger Exploration Camp, visit this link.

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Registration is now open for Mocs Adventure Camp, a summer experience filled with adventure, exploration and fun. Designed for rising first through eighth graders, the camp takes place at the UTC Aquatic and Recreation Center and offers a mix of outdoor activities, team-building experiences and skill development, all led by experienced and enthusiastic staff. The cost is $300 per week.

Camp dates:

• Week 1: June 2-6
• Week 2: June 9-13
• Week 3: June 16-20
• Week 4: June 23-27
• Week 5: July 7-11
• Week 6: July 14-18
• Week 7: July 21-25
• Week 8: July 28-Aug. 1

Spots fill up quickly, so don’t miss out on an unforgettable summer. Visit utc.edu/mocs-adventure-camp to register. For questions, contact Mocs Adventure Camp or call 423-425-4213.

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UTC Aquatics is now hiring lifeguards for summer 2025. Applicants must be 16 years or older, pass all lifeguard prerequisites, be able to teach swimming lessons (training provided) and must have American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. If applicants can work all summer, certification can be provided.

Lifeguards will make $13 an hour. Contact Kate Dennis if interested.

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UTC students, faculty and staff can try out a subscription to Ground News thanks to the UTC Library.

Ground News is a platform that makes it easy to compare news sources, read between the lines of media bias and break free from algorithms. Nearly 60,000 articles from publications around the world are compiled every day, and users can explore political biases, factuality and ownership data from just about every news organization. Users can also take advantage of the Blindspot feature to see stories covered by different sides of the political spectrum.

To sign up:

• Make sure you are connected to UTC Wi-Fi or logged in to a computer on the UTC network.
• Visit https://ground.news/register or download the Ground News app in the App Store or Google Play.
• Use your own e-mail and password. No need to use the “Continue with Institution” feature.

Trial access ends on Saturday, March 22. If you have any questions, feedback or would like to see this resource stick around, please contact us via e-mail.

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UTC Campus Recreation provides a variety of ways to stay active, from fitness classes and outdoor adventures to intramural sports, weightlifting and club sports. The Campus Recreation office, located in the Aquatics and Recreation Center, is open to anyone interested in learning more about available programs. Full-time faculty and staff memberships are $25 per month and can be set up as a payroll deduction.

Current opportunities include intramural registration for 7×7 soccer, indoor pickleball and indoor volleyball. Campus Recreation is also hiring lifeguards for the summer. Those interested can contact Kate Dennis for more information.

UTC Newsroom

Allen Green

The “about” section of Allen Green’s LinkedIn makes his life’s mission clear. 

“I am dedicated to making sure the once hopeless will no longer be captivated by hurt and pain or failure, but will raise above their circumstances,” it reads. “Pain and suffering will be the driving force for hope.” 

This is how Green transformed his own life—going from living in foster and group homes to becoming a firefighter, earning a college degree and writing a children’s book. 

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Members of the MobileMOC team include front row, from left: Stephanie Blaine, Dr. Chris Smith, Dr. Kristi Wick, Becky Miller, Dr. Cathy Scott and Dr. Latisha Toney; back row, from left: Dr. Meagan Oslund, Joshua Epperson, Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste and Lori Coletta.

The School of Nursing is set to unveil MobileMOC, a mobile outreach health clinic designed to expand health care access for older adults and caregivers in rural Southeast Tennessee. A launch celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at noon on Tuesday, March 25, at the Rhea County Welcome Center in Dayton, Tennessee (107 Main St.).

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

• The Department of Theatre is introducing a new multi-disciplinary film and TV studies minor, allowing allow students to explore all aspects of film and television from in front of and behind the camera. Working with the communication, English, and Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures departments, the new minor—coming in the 2025-26 academic year—will give students a flexible path that suits their interests in film and TV.
• The Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center now serves as an unconventional classroom for nursing students at UTC. Now in its fourth semester, this jail rotation is a crucial component of the community nursing course—the result of a partnership between the School of Nursing and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Small groups of students assist the jail’s clinical staff with health assessments, vital signs and lab work, gaining insights that extend beyond nursing basics.

WUTC

Pamela Thomas-Graham, author and photographer of the upcoming book, “When Words Fail: A Photographic Journey through New York City,” spoke with Richard Winham for an episode of WUTC’s “Open Book.”

IN MEMORIAM

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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.