Updates and news for the week of May 30 – June 5, 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  |  UTC News

From Middle School to Moc Scholar

Between May 15-23, UTC dignitaries participated in Hamilton County Schools eighth-grade promotion events to introduce the Middle School to Moc Scholar program. A collaboration between UTC and Hamilton County Schools, Middle School to Moc Scholar will award every eighth-grade student a certificate of acceptance to UTC for fall 2027 enrollment—contingent upon successful completion of high school and meeting admission requirements for the University.

UTC presenters attended 23 eighth-grade promotion ceremonies across the county—with more than 3,300 students being promoted. In addition to certificates, UTC’s admissions team will mail personalized letters to each student’s home along with UTC swag.

New Travel Policy Starts This Week

The University of Tennessee System Office of Finance and Administration has announced significant modifications to the systemwide travel policy that will greatly benefit the faculty and staff who utilize it, providing a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Please take a moment to view the revisions. The revised policies and procedures, as well as information and training opportunities located on Concur, will be updated and live starting Thursday (June 1).

To learn more about the travel policy update, please click here for the Campus Updates post.

UTC Accounting Services/Travel is offering a series of June Concur travel training dates, all of which will take place on Zoom. Click here for the complete list. Topics covered will include:

• Thursday (June 1): What’s New with Concur?, 11 a.m.
• June 20: Traveling for the University, 10 a.m.
• June 20: Resolving Alerts: Travel Allowance Itineraries and Per Diem, 3 p.m.
• June 21: Domestic Travel, 10 a.m.
• June 21: International Travel, 3 p.m.
• June 22: Conference Travel, 10 a.m.
• June 22: Requesting and Managing Cash Advances, 3 p.m.
• June 23: Exceptions to Policy, What They Are and Are Not, 10 a.m.

Submit your events for Welcome Week 2023

A message from Student and Family Engagement …

Our goal for Welcome Week 2023 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. 20-26), please submit your event to the official Welcome Week calendar found on the Welcome Week website. Click here to access the event submission form.

• The priority deadline to submit events for the Welcome Week calendar is Friday, July 21.
• More information about submitting an event for the Welcome Week calendar can be found here.
• Contact laura-petrus@utc.edu with questions.

New UTC Calendar Coming This Summer

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

Lesley Green (management), left, and Jamal Johnson (master’s in education leadership) both posted a 4.0 GPA during the spring semester (photo credit: GoMocs.com).

UTC student-athletes recorded an overall 3.20 GPA during the spring, reaching the 3.20 mark for the fifth time in the last seven semesters. The women’s cross country team led all programs with a 3.752 GPA, while beach volleyball set a program record (3.67).

In total, 55 student-athletes posted a 4.0 GPA. Some notables on the list included Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball Player of the Year Neva Clark (exercise and health science), men’s and women’s basketball standouts Jake Stephens (MBA) and Abbey Cornelius (MBA), Southern Conference 10,000-meters champion Lesley Green (management), recent signee with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders McClendon Curtis (master’s in Education Leadership) and SoCon wrestling champion Rocky Jordan (post baccalaureate studies).

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Chorus America, the country’s leading advocacy group for choral music, has given Dr. Roland Carter (pictured) its Distinguished Service Award, the group’s highest honor. Carter spent 23 years at UTC as an educator and administrator, retiring in 2013.

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• Bachelor of Applied Science: Information Technology in Cybersecurity Program Recruiter Stephen Reiter was a guest on WUTC’s Scenic Roots to talk about the program’s upcoming June 1 application deadline for the fall 2023 cohort.
• UC Foundation Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Rick Dierenfeldt was interviewed by NewsChannel 9 about the Gun Crime Intelligence Center, a collaboration between UTC and the Chattanooga Police Department.
• Collegiate Recovery Coordinator/Substance Misuse Educator Cassandra Riddle was interviewed by the Times Free Press for a story about harm reduction strategies for drug overdoses.
• Dr. Jaclyn Michael received her doctorate researching pop cultural representations of Indian Muslims. Now she’s working to learn about the history of Muslims in the South.
• Assistant Professor Stephanie DeVries was on hand for the unveiling of a trash-snagging litter boom installed on Chattanooga Creek.

This Week’s Calendar

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 Thursday (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.

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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, Master of Science in Data Analytics and Master of Accountancy 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):

• Friday (June 2): noon, Register Here

MSDA (Master of Science in Data Analytics):

• Wednesday (May 31): noon, Register Here  |  6 p.m., Register Here

MAcc (Master of Accountancy):

• Today (May 30): noon ET: Register Here  |  6 p.m., Register Here

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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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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.  |  Localist Calendar Info 

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.

• Tuesday, June 6: Darwin Galloway will present doctoral research titled, “Secondary teachers’ perceptions on their competency and self-efficacy levels associated with an integrated professional development approach to teaching United States history,” via Zoom, 10 a.m. | Localist Calendar Info

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.

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. | Localist Calendar Info

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.

Campus Updates

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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:

• 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.

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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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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 back

Three generations of the Schenk family have graduated from UTC (from left): Mary Ann (1996), Dru (2023), Denise (1995) and John (1995).

Dru Schenk, who recently graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a third-generation UTC alum.

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Rising junior Emma Roy (pictured), a Brock Scholar in the Honors College majoring in secondary education: political science, has been selected for the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 Critical Language Scholarship Program, an immersive summer opportunity for college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. She will be heading to National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, to study the Chinese language.

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

• The School of Education held a dinner and reception to celebrate the 2023-2024 Butterfield Fellows, a group of local educators selected for their exemplary classroom management practices supporting children and teacher education.
• Battle Academy, an educational partner with UTC, has been named to a group of 22 schools selected statewide for its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics program (STEAM) programs.
• Located inside the Wolford Family Strength and Conditioning Center and part of the Brenda Lawson Student-Athlete Success Center, the Food City Fueling Station will benefit all student-athletes at UTC.
• Sixteen criminal justice students stepped out into the community during the spring semester for their Community Engagement class to help Chattanooga’s homeless population and work alongside local service providers. Professor of Criminal Justice Tammy Garland organized the course to get her students engaged in the community and apply the skills they learned in the classroom.
• Rocket Moc member Dottie McSpadden knew her arm was burned, but it didn’t feel that bad. At least not at first. A couple of hours later, though, she’d changed her mind. “Oh, it was a nine out of 10,” she said. “I have not felt pain like that.”

WUTC Spotlight: The Haley Solomon Show

Jacob Allen, who performs under the name Puma Blue. Photo by Nessa Parrish/WUTC.

Puma Blue is the alias of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Allen.

After his recent performance at Shaky Knees 2023, Allen sat down for an interview with WUTC’s Haley Solomon—where they discussed his journey into music and becoming a confident frontman.