March 25-31, 2025

Updates and news for the week of March 25-31, 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

MEN’S BASKETBALL ADVANCES IN NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT

Photo courtesy of Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com

The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team went wire-to-wire behind a dominating effort to help soar past the University of Dayton 87-72 in front of a rowdy McKenzie Arena crowd on Saturday during the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

The Mocs advanced to the NIT quarterfinals for the first time since 1985, while their 26 victories this season tie for the third-most in program history.

The Mocs will now face Bradley University at 7 p.m. today (March 25) in Peoria, Illinois. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

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UPCOMING REGISTRATION DATES AND INFORMATION

The Office of the University Registrar reminds campus of the following upcoming registration dates and information:

• March 25–April 21: Students who wish to withdraw from the University (withdraw from all classes) may submit a late semester withdrawal form
• April 2: Last day to withdraw from any part of Term 2 course on a course-by-course basis with a grade of W (one or more courses)
• April 9-17: Fall 2025 registration for currently enrolled UTC students
• April 18: Spring Holiday (no classes)

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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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UNIVERSITY CENTER RENOVATIONS AND RESERVATIONS UPDATE

Great progress has been made on the renovation of the first floor of the University Center and additional changes are expected soon.

• The University Center Office will be moving to its new permanent location in the former Foundation Room on Friday, March 28.
• The current University Center Office and adjacent hallway will go offline next week for renovation.

The University Center will open space reservations for fall 2025 at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 31. Please be aware that space availability for second-floor rooms will be severely impacted beginning this summer because of the ongoing work.

Upcoming space changes include:

• The Raccoon Mountain Room will go offline permanently in early May and will not return as a general meeting room. It will reopen in the fall as the new Admissions Tour Center. 
• The Tennessee Room will go offline on Wednesday, April 23, and will not be available until early October. 
• The UC Auditorium will go offline in mid-July and will remain offline through the fall semester. 
• The Chattanooga Rooms will remain unavailable for the duration of the project as they are used for surge space. 
• The third floor of the UC will go offline in mid-November and will remain offline into the late fall 2026 semester. 

Outstanding People of UTC

Dr. Yu Liang

Congratulations to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in February. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $129,052 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $8,926,264 in external funding, if awarded.

Among those receiving awards in February was Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Yu Liang, who led a collaborative effort on a $100,000 award from the AI/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity for the project titled, “Enhancing Healthcare Equity through Large-Language-Model-Enabled Diagnostic and Therapeutic Music Modality.”

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• The Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor (URaCE) is sending nine undergraduates to the Posters at the Capitol event on Wednesday, April 2. The nine students headed to the Tennesee State Capitol in Nashville are Landon Boone (physics), Barbara Higgs (chemistry), Angelica Lance (environmental science), Brenden Lippard (mechatronics), Alyssa Matthews (biochemistry), Logan McCollough (mechanical engineering), Diya Patel (mechanical engineering), Anna Sherrill (environmental science: policy and planning) and Tooba Tanveer (mechanical engineering).
• Dr. Hassan Afzal, visiting assistant professor of political science, published a reflection on the International Studies Association website about attending ISA 2025 in Chicago. He shared how the conference supports research, networking and student-focused opportunities.
• UTC Center for Regional Economic Research Professor Howard Wall spoke to News Channel 9 about a bill that could raise home loan interest rates.
• Dr. Christina Policastro, UC Foundation associate professor of criminal justice, joined an episode of Let’s Chatt on News 12 Now to discuss the UTC Graduate School.

Mark Your Calendar

Kit Gresham (photo credit: Kelsey Williams/GoMocs.com)

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Today, March 25: Women’s Tennis vs. St. Thomas (Minnesota), UTC Tennis Center, 3 p.m.
• Friday, March 28: Women’s Golf at Chattanooga Classic – Round 1, 9 a.m.
• Friday, March 28: Women’s Tennis vs. UNCG, UTC Tennis Center, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, March 29: Women’s Golf at Chattanooga Classic – Round 2, 9 a.m.
• Saturday, March 29: Beach Volleyball vs. UT Martin, UTC Sports Complex, 11 a.m.
• Saturday, March 29: Men’s Tennis vs. ETSU, UTC Tennis Center, noon
• Saturday, March 29: Beach Volleyball vs. Tusculum, UTC Sports Complex, 3 p.m.
• Sunday, March 30: Women’s Golf at Chattanooga Classic – Final Round, 9 a.m

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Information sessions are taking place for the fall 2025 study abroad course, “Doing Business in Italy,” which is open to all UTC students. The course has no prerequisites and includes a two-week international study trip to Italy—tentatively scheduled for December 2025—with visits to Rome, Florence and Milan.

“Doing Business in Italy” is led by Dr. Katherine Karl, head of the Department of Management. Students earn three credit hours at either the undergraduate (MGT 4950) or graduate (MGT 5950) level.

Information sessions:

• Tuesday, March 25: Fletcher Hall Room 109 and Zoom, 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, April 3: Zoom, 12:30 p.m.
• Monday, April 7: Zoom, 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 8: Zoom, 2 p.m.

For more information, contact COB International or visit COB International Programs.

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Students Providing Aid (SPAid) is holding its second meeting at 5 p.m. today (March 25) in Holt Hall Room 229.

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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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The Department of Chemistry and Physics will conclude its spring seminar series with a talk by Dr. Thanh D. Do, assistant professor of chemistry at UT Knoxville, from 3:30-4:15 p.m. on Friday, March 28, in Grote Hall Room 411.

In a talk titled “Toward the Design of Membrane-Permeable Macrocyclic Peptides for Undruggable Targets: A Biophysical Chemistry Perspective,” Do will discuss efforts to understand the structure and flexibility of cyclosporines—macrocyclic peptides with potential to bind targets that are inaccessible to traditional small molecules. His lab uses a combination of experimental and computational methods to study the conformational diversity of cyclosporines and their binding properties.

For more information, visit Do’s faculty page. For event details, click here.

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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:

• Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30: Women’s Leadership Academy, Ocoee Retreat Center
• Monday, March 31: Stitch and Bitch, Lupton Hall 118, noon

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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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Bridgman Packer Dance’s “Ghost Factory,” a fusion of dance, film and technology, comes to UTC LIVE! on at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall. The performance blends live movement with haunting visuals of abandoned factories, exploring the stories embedded in industrial spaces.

An accompanying audio/visual installation, “Places With Hidden Stories,” will further connect past and present through narratives from Johnson City, New York and Chattanooga.

Click here for tickets and details..

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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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Celebrate I Love UTC Week by helping a fellow Moc. Donate to the on-campus food pantry, Scrappy’s Cupboard, during the week of March 31-April 4. Scrappy’s Cupboard supports all UTC students, faculty and staff experiencing food insecurity.

Food drive donation bins will be located in Lupton 104, the UTC Library first floor info desk, UC Room 399, the Guerry Center lobby, the Decosimo Student Success Center and the Chancellor’s Office.

Most-needed items include can openers, canned/boxed milk and milk alternatives, toilet paper, paper towels, sports drinks, cooking oils, canned fruit, canned meats, rice, breakfast bars and instant mashed potatoes. Scrappy’s Cupboard accepts all unexpired, unopened, non-perishable food and personal care items.

Can’t donate in person? Donations are accepted via Amazon wishlist or financially online.

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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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The 2025 Financial Literacy Lecture, titled “Coping with Complexity,” will take place virtually from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.

The lecture will explore how U.S. households face increasingly complicated financial decisions—from choosing retirement plans to selecting mortgage and health insurance options. It will highlight how financial literacy can reduce confusion and help people make more confident, informed choices. Click here to register.

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Sarah Whitney

Celebrated violinist Sarah Whitney will visit UTC to lead discussions on music, entrepreneurship and career development. An internationally recognized performer and educator, Whitney blends classical training with contemporary sounds and helps musicians explore new approaches to building their careers.

She will host an open house with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, in the James R. Mapp Building and perform a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, in Cadek Recital Hall.

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Dr. 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. Attendees must register here.

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Dr. Stefan Hördler, a historian of the Holocaust with a focus on Nazi concentration camps, will speak at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, in Derthick Hall Room 101.

Hördler is based at the University of Göttingen and is the former director of the Mittelbau-Dora Concentration Camp Memorial. He recently co-authored an analysis of the Auschwitz Album and has served as an expert consultant on investigations involving former Nazi camp personnel.

The event is sponsored by the UTC Department of History, with support from the College of Arts and Sciences and the UTC Chair of Excellence in Judaic Studies.

For more information, contact Dr. John C. Swanson.

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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.

The final Take Five sessions will occur at 6 p.m. in the University Center Tennessee Room. The session will offer a light dinner, and no RSVP is necessary.

• Tuesday, April 8: Dr. Bryan Hampton presents Julie Schumacher’s “The Shakespeare Requirement”

Books are available through online retailers and at the UTC Bookstore (423-425-4107). Contact Aaron Shaheen with questions.

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A production making its Broadway debut this spring is also set to hit the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre stage.

The UTC Theatre Co. continues its 2024-2025 season with its production of “John Proctor is the Villain,” written by playwright Kimberly Belflower. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. from Tuesday, April 8, through Saturday, April 12—with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on April 12. 

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here and through the UTC Box Office—in person or by phone (423-425-1423). Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors. 

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The 2025 Library Enhancement Initiative is now accepting recommendations for new books and films to add to the UTC Library collection.

The purpose of the Library Enhancement Initiative is to provide current UTC students, faculty and staff with an opportunity to grow and enhance the UTC Library’s collection of resources in a focused way—be it a new class, a fresh take on an old topic or a developing research interest. This year, we are looking for your recommendations for new (or new to us) books and films that will promote lifelong learning and the achievement of your academic, personal or professional goals. 

Applications are due Friday, April 11. Click here for more information and to submit a recommendation.

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The Walker Center for Teaching and Learning will host the 2025 Instructional Excellence Conference on Tuesday, May 6, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Michelle Miller.

Miller is a cognitive psychologist, researcher and author whose work supports higher education faculty in creating effective and engaging learning experiences. Her books include:

• “Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology” (Harvard University Press, 2014)
• “Remembering and Forgetting in the Age of Technology: Teaching, Learning, and the Science of Memory in a Wired World” (West Virginia University Press, 2022)
• “A Teacher’s Guide to Learning Student Names: Why You Should, Why It’s Hard, How You Can” (University of Oklahoma Press, 2024)

She is a professor of psychological sciences and a President’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Northern Arizona University.

Click here to register for the Instructional Excellence Conference. This event is free for UTC faculty, lecturers and adjuncts.

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The UTC Graduate School announced that the following student will be presenting  final works of research as an advanced degree candidate. Everyone is invited to attend.

• Today (March 25): Joshua Tyler, Multidisciplinary Research Building Auditorium, 3 p.m., Calendar

Campus Updates

Spring has sprung!

Here are five simple ways to improve your wellness during this season:

• Get active outdoors: Take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days by engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, cycling or walking in the park. Fresh air and sunshine can help boost your mood and energy levels.
• Eat seasonal, fresh foods: Spring brings a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as asparagus, peas, strawberries and leafy greens. Incorporate these nutrient-rich, seasonal foods into your meals to nourish your body and support your health.
• Prioritize mental clarity: Use spring as an opportunity to declutter your mind. Practice mindfulness, meditation or journaling to clear out mental fog and reduce stress. A calm mind can help you stay focused and present.
• Hydrate and refresh: As temperatures rise, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and consider adding refreshing options like infused water with fruits or herbs to keep your hydration routine exciting.
• Boost your sleep routine: With the change in daylight hours, it’s crucial to adjust your sleep schedule to get enough rest. Create a relaxing bedtime routine and ensure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet for optimal sleep quality.

These simple wellness tips can help you feel more energized and balanced as you transition into the warmer seasons.

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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 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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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 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

Kim Holder

Understanding economics and personal finance is essential to navigating life’s biggest decisions, according to Kim Holder, managing director of the Center for Economic Education (CEE) at UTC.

The CEE is dedicated to educating students, teachers and local citizens about economic issues in the UTC community and beyond. Holder is carrying out this mission and wants people of all ages and backgrounds to understand the value of economic education.

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Andrew Calkins

For Andrew Calkins, discovering a passion for teaching was a journey that began with a simple act of helping others. After earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics from UTC in December 2022, Calkins initially set his sights on a career in data analytics or actuarial science. A tutoring experience with UTC’s Mosaic Program, though, revealed that teaching was the more rewarding path.

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

• For young math minds, solving complex puzzles isn’t just a skill—it’s a challenge they embrace. Last week, students ranging from elementary school to high school arrived at Grote Hall to put their problem-solving skills to the test in the 2025 Math Kangaroo competition.
• The College of Arts and Sciences celebrated Dr. Amye Warren at its annual faculty spotlight event last Thursday. 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.
• A social entrepreneurship team comprised of two UTC theatre students was 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, represented the University last weekend at the Hult International Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

WUTC

Dr. Robert Dooley

Ray Bassett sat down with Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley as part of the “Chatting with the Chancellor” series on WUTC’s “Scenic Roots.” The two discussed the Gary W. Rollins College of Business expansion and the new academic calendar.