Updates and news for the week of May 23 – 29, 2023

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.

Campus Updates  |  University Events Master Calendar  |  UTC News

New MyMocsNet Launches This Week

New UTC Calendar Coming this Summer

Later this summer, UTC will roll out a new events calendar using software from Localist. The new UTC calendar will enable members of the campus community to easily share, manage and publicize events from a single, convenient platform. Event information shared via this platform also is accessible to the public.

In addition to enabling easily adding an event to the calendar, the platform will automatically incorporate events from other calendars—such as events hosted by Mocs Athletics, the UTC Library and more. The new calendar tool will offer:

• Ease of use
• Customizability
• Possibility of improved engagement/turnout at campus events

Teams involved with the project are in the final stages of development and expect to share this resource later this summer.

The outstanding people of UTC

From left: Assistant Coach Nick Robinson, Braedon Wear, Samuel Espinosa, Paul Conroy, Garrett Engle, John Houk, Alex Cobb and Head Coach Blaine Woodruff (photo credit: Laura O’Dell/GoMocs.com)

The Mocs men’s golf team took full advantage of its first NCAA Men’s Golf Regional appearance in nine years, advancing to this week’s NCAA Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona. Junior John Houk (sport management/Athens, Tennessee) finished fifth in the Auburn regional, while junior Paul Conroy (sport management/Enniscorthy, Ireland) tied for seventh.

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Dr. Mengjun Xie, UC Foundation associate professor of computer science and engineering, recently received notification that UTC has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through the academic year 2028.

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Check out these Mocs making a difference:

• College of Health, Education and Professional Studies Dean Valerie Rutledge was featured in the Tennessee Reading Research Center newsletter.
• School of Education Job-Embed graduate Nikos Karabetsos, now an art teacher at Tyner Academy, oversaw his students’ artwork being on display last weekend at the Hunter Art Gallery.
• Chemistry and Physics Department Head Keenan Dungey was interviewed by Local 3 News after Cleveland, Tennessee, residents said their tap water was distasteful.

This Week’s Calendar

The Advisory Board for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will meet at 3 p.m. today (May 23) in Room 102 of the Mapp Building.

The agenda includes a report from Chancellor Angle and updates from Academic Affairs; Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; and Finance and Administration. The Board will review and vote on approval of the University’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The Board also will vote on the appointment of a student member for 2023-2024.

The UTC Advisory Board is comprised of five members appointed by the Tennessee governor and approved by the General Assembly, one UTC faculty representative appointed by the UTC Faculty Senate and one UTC student representative.

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Dr. Caitlin Randolph will be the keynote speaker for the Department of Chemistry and Physics’ 37th annual summer Undergraduate Research Program today (May 23). The seminar, titled “Microfluidics Assisted Mass Spectrometry-based Artificially Intelligent Platform for Single Cell Lipidomics,” will take place from 3-4 p.m. in Grote Hall Room 411.

Randolph earned her biochemistry degree from UTC in 2016 and received her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Purdue University in 2020. She is currently a Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow at Purdue.  

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The Center for Wellbeing is sponsoring “Summer In-Service: Eating Disorders in College Students” from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday (May 24) in the University Center Signal Mountain Room. The event is open to all staff and faculty.

Dr. Laurie Cooper will be delivering a presentation addressing early signs of disordered eating, screening, facilitating treatment and supporting students in eating disorder recovery. She has 30 years of experience in eating disorder treatment and currently serves as the regional assistant vice president and Nashville site director for The Renfrew Center. The presentation will include time for Q&A.

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This week, the Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions about UTC’s Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Data Analytics graduate programs.

The Rollins College of Business graduate degree programs provide flexible course options, such as 100% online courses taught asynchronously and in-person courses taught during the evening to help accommodate your lifestyle.

MBA (Master of Business Administration):

• Wednesday (May 24): noon, Register Here  |  6 p.m., Register Here
• Friday (May 26): noon, Register Here

MSDA (Master of Science in Data Analytics):

• Today (May 23): noon, Register Here  |  6 p.m., Register Here
• Thursday (May 25): noon ET: Register Here  |  6 p.m., Register Here

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The Tony Award-winning best musical “Dear Evan Hansen” takes place at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium today-Sunday (May 23-28), and UTC employees, students, their families and friends are being offered a 25% discount code for select performances.

Interested? Click here to go through the purchase process, and you’ll receive the 25% discount.

Notice of Final Defense: Upcoming Research Presentation

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

• Friday, May 26: Lucas Payne will present master’s research titled, “Log File Anomaly Detection Using Knowledge Graphs and Graph Neural Networks,” via Zoom (password 131948), 1 p.m. | Master Calendar Info

Important Summer Registration Information

A reminder from the Office of the University Registrar …

As you work with students, please keep in mind these important registration dates for Part of Term 1 and Full Term:

• Today, May 23—Full Term: Last day to register for classes including to add a section or change sections. Last day to change from credit to audit.
• Today, May 23—Full Term: Last day to drop a class before a W (withdrawal) is recorded.
• Wednesday, June 14—Part of Term 1: Last day to withdraw on a course-by-course basis with a grade of W (one or more courses).
• Tuesday, June 27—Part of Term 1: Last day to withdraw from the university (i.e. all courses) with grades of W in all Part of Term courses.
• Monday, July 10—Full Term: Last day to withdraw on a course-by-course basis with a grade of W (one or more courses).
• Tuesday, Aug. 8—Full Term: Last day to withdraw from the university (i.e. all courses) with grades of W in all PT2 and Full Term courses.

Spread the Word about the MPH Program

Are you interested in a career where the health and wellbeing of others are at the forefront? If so, the UTC Master of Public Health in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control program is for you.

Apply now at utc.edu/mph. For information, email emma-sampson@utc.edu or call (423) 425-4196.

Coming Soon: Brown Bag Lunch

As part of the introduction of the UTC Research Institute, a brown bag lunch is taking place from noon-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, in the UTC Library Southern Writers Room.

The brown bag lunch is designed to engage faculty and staff across campus in identifying opportunities for collaboration.

Summer Solstice Science Seminar

The Clarence T. Jones Observatory is located at 10 N. Tuxedo Ave. in Chattanooga. Parking is available behind the Brainerd United Methodist Church.

The UTC Chemistry and Physics department invites the campus community to the Summer Solstice Science Seminar at the historic Clarence T. Jones Observatory from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 21.

View Chattanooga’s 20.5-inch telescope, built in 1938. Learn the science of the solstice. View the sun through a solar telescope. Learn about dark skies. Try a demonstration of less-polluting light fixtures. Meet members of the UTC Chemistry and Physics department and the Barnard Astronomical Society. The event is free and open to the public.

Bring the family for a night of summer fun

UTC Campus Recreation will be hosting a series of family nights at the Aquatic and Recreation Center this summer open to all faculty and staff, with upcoming events taking place June 16 and Aug. 11. Come on out for games in the gym and try out the pool and the rock climbing wall.

• The cost for non-ARC members is $10 per person. Adult guests must show their UTC photo ID.
• Click here to learn about Campus Rec memberships.
• For more information, email colleen-houghton@utc.edu.

Sign Your Campers up for UTC Volleyball Camp

The UTC Volleyball program is offering a 10% discount to all faculty, staff and students for the following volleyball summer camps:

• Scrappy’s Boys and Girls Camp: June 14-15
• Father/Daughter Clinic: June 18
• Middle School Day Camp: June 14-15, July 19-20
• High School Advanced Camp: June 14, July 19
• Positional Camp: June 28-29

Click here to register online. For more information, contact julie-torbettthomas@utc.edu.

June 1 application deadline for 12-month cybersecurity program

UTC is actively recruiting highly motivated students for the new Bachelor of Applied Science – Information Technology in Cybersecurity (BAS-IT CyS) accelerated degree program for fall 2023. The application deadline is June 1.

Click here for more information. For eligibility review and other information, email program recruiter Stephen-reiter@utc.edu or call the CECS Dean’s Office at (423) 425-2256.

GEAR UP Seeking Mentors For Summer Program

GEAR UP is seeking volunteer mentors this summer to lead 10th- and 11th-grade students on campus and community adventures. As you may know, GEAR UP students come from mostly low-income backgrounds and attend high schools that typically do not send their graduates to college in very large numbers. This summer, the students will be attending morning classes in a head start math program before participating in afternoon activities.

GEAR UP is here to give the extra help that can set these amazing students up for college. If you could help weekdays June 5-16 from 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m., contact hunter-huckabay@utc.edu. For more information, click here.

Campus Updates

Certified Financial Planner Celeste Friend, UTC’s local Optional Retirement Program and 403b Voya representative, will be on campus from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, in Room 429 of the UTC Library. She will be available to discuss your ORP and 403b accounts and what retirement looks like for you. To schedule a private and confidential consultation, email Celeste.Friend@Voyafa.com or call (423) 777-1591.

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In order to provide new transfer students and their guests with the most information in a limited time frame, New Student and Family Programs is holding a UTC Student Services Fair from 8-9 a.m. in the University Center Tennessee Room during check-in for all in-person transfer orientation sessions on June 8, July 13 and Aug. 1.

If your office or area provides a service or program that would be beneficial to an incoming transfer student, please consider attending the Student Services Fair. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by emailing your name and program and/or department to Carrie-Sherbesman@utc.edu.

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The Sycamore Institute will host a half-day workshop from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, in the University Center Chattanooga Room to discuss the trade-offs of state and local criminal fee and fine policies in Tennessee. Campus members are invited to attend and to share this invitation with colleagues and networks. Click here for more information.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration information and a detailed agenda can be found here.

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We all have people who influence our lives. Parents, teachers, leaders, friends and neighbors can all shape our identity and show us new pathways. Who helped you succeed? Who gave you a push in the right direction?

Do you want to engage with students in real-world learning experiences that will positively influence their lives? Hamilton County Schools has joined the CommunityShare network to give you an easy way to connect with K-12 teachers and share your skills, passions and real-world experiences with students in Hamilton County.

Visit CommunityShare to make an impact on Hamilton County students and teachers today.

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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 following summer dates: June 10 and July 15. If you are interested in working one session or both, email cathy-jackson@utc.edu.

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Mocs Card Services is issuing new ID cards to all faculty, staff, and students. As campus card readers are being replaced, this new card will be necessary for door access and use.

The ID Office summer hours of operation are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please anticipate a higher-than-normal volume of customers on Orientation days.

What is the difference in the current Mocs Card and the NEW Mocs Card? The new Mocs Card is embedded with an RFID chip (tap technology) that will coincide with the installation of new card readers across campus.

• Bring your current Mocs Card to the ID Office in University Center Room 262 to exchange for the new card.
• If you do not bring your current ID, there is a $30 replacement fee. Replacement fees are processed in the Bursar’s Office (University Center Room 274).
• Contact Mocs Card Services (423-425-5819) or the ID Office (423-425-2218) with questions.

Looking ahead

John Houk (photo credit: GoMocs.com)

This week’s Mocs Athletics calendar:

• Today (May 23): Women’s Golf at NCAA Championships (Scottsdale, Arizona), all day
• Friday (May 26): Men’s Golf at NCAA Championships (Scottsdale, Arizona), all day
• Saturday (May 27): Men’s Golf at NCAA Championships (Scottsdale, Arizona), all day
• Sunday (May 28): Men’s Golf at NCAA Championships (Scottsdale, Arizona), all day
• Monday (May 29): Men’s Golf at NCAA Championships (Scottsdale, Arizona), all day

Looking back

Now the principal of Tyner Middle Academy, Dr. Aleisha McCallie (pictured) rose from the classroom to education’s version of the boardroom thanks, in part, to the School Leadership post-master’s program she completed at UTC in 2020.

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

• The Chattanooga Police Department began tracking gun crimes closely after violence skyrocketed in 2016. But a data-crunching partnership with UTC created four years later shows marked decreases in gun-related crimes and could be preventing future crimes by taking guns off the street.
• Roshonda Woods, solid waste manager for CHAPublicWorks, is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in the UTC BAS-AL program. The BAS-AL is built around working professionals who want to further their education despite busy schedules.
• The redesigned master’s degree in music program at UTC will make it easier for graduate students who also are full-time teachers to earn master’s degrees. The program offers both face-to-face and online classes. In-person courses begin with the UTC Summer Pedagogy and Conducting Institutes’ one-week sessions in June.
• The iNEST program includes various research projects on food safety, techno-economic analysis of food protein production, food product development, bioenergy production from food waste, emerging food processing technology, food structure analysis and food and nutrition.

WUTC Spotlight

Matt Maltese met with WUTC’s Haley Solomon at Shaky Knees 2023. Photo by Nessa Parrish/WUTC.

Matt Maltese is a British-Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist who drew inspiration from modern indie pop music and the American crooner classics like Frank Sinatra to create his dreamy chamber pop sound.

WUTC’s Haley Solomon caught up with Maltese at Shaky Knees 2023 for an extended conversation about his journey to becoming a touring musician.