November 12-18, 2024
Updates and news for the week of November 12-18, 2024
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-l-schultz@utc.edu or 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.
Highlights
University Center Renovations Update
The renovation of the University Center has officially begun, and some temporary walls have been built to separate the early phase construction area from the rest of the UC. With these walls come changes to how campus will access certain departments and rooms in the UC.
- The Admissions Office and Orientation Office are only accessible via the exterior Admissions entrance on Terrell Owens Way. The entire first floor, except for these offices, is now offline.
- The Financial Aid Office, Mosaic Coaching Lounge and UC Auditorium are only available via the exterior entrance from Mocs Alumni Drive. You cannot access these areas from the Gallery-area of the 2nd floor.
- Access to the Mocs One Center and Career Connections will continue to be via the doors on the Vine Street side of their temporary locations in the Chattanooga Rooms.
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Thank you for your service
 Veteran and Military Affairs Associate Director Robert Dorsett pictured at the Chancellor’s Annual Veterans Day Luncheon. The Chancellor’s Annual Veterans Day Luncheon recognized UTC’s veteran community on Monday. Keynote speaker John Harbison shared his journey from U.S. Army officer to UTC educator.
UTC has been named the top institution in Tennessee for military veterans by Military Times, a leading independent news source for service members and their families. Along with its No. 1 ranking among Tennessee colleges and universities, UTC placed 40th nationally among 215 public institutions ranked.
Approximately 1,160 veterans, military-affiliated students, spouses and dependents of veterans are enrolled at UTC this fall, comprising nearly 10% of the student population.
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Home Sweet Home
The UTC Power C Tour, a statewide outreach effort to prospective students on academic programs, admissions, housing, financial aid and campus life at UTC, is returning home.
The Power C Tour Chattanooga stop, which takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the UC Tennessee Room, gives local high school students, transfers, graduate students and their families a feel for UTC. The event features presentations, information booths, light refreshments and cool prizes—including an opportunity to win UTC scholarships. Faculty and staff are invited to bring their families.
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CALL FOR COMMENCEMENT MARSHALS
We are looking for faculty and staff to serve as marshals at our two December commencement ceremonies:
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Friday, Dec. 13: Graduate School, 2:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Dec. 14: Undergraduate, 9 a.m.
Marshal duties include lining up students before the ceremony, leading students into the arena at the start of the ceremony, and directing students from their chairs to the stage and back during the ceremony. Marshals will need to arrive one hour before the ceremony starts, so please schedule accordingly. We will have a marshals lunch and training session on Thursday, Dec. 12. Attendance is not required but highly encouraged.
If you would like to volunteer to be a marshal, please register here and indicate which commencement ceremony(ies) you are available to marshal. Questions or concerns related to commencement marshals should be directed to Charlene-Simmons@utc.edu.
Outstanding People of UTC
On Monday, Dr. John Harbison was the keynote speaker at UTC’s annual Veterans Day Luncheon, a celebration of the veterans and military-affiliated students, faculty and staff at the University. Harbison, a professor of practice for the Learning and Leadership programs at UTC, spent 22 years as an Army officer.
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 Erin Lunt at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia (left) and at Atlanta Falcons summer 2024 training camp. As a second-year graduate student in UTC’s athletic training program, Erin Lunt not only helps keep student-athletes healthy but also serves her country as a first lieutenant in the Tennessee National Guard. For Lunt, service is a way of life—whether on the sidelines working with the Mocs soccer team or in her line of duty as an ordnance officer with her maintenance platoon.
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UTC psychology major Kristopher Ware placed third and received the award for most outstanding research for his project, “Pilot Study: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Impact of Early Childhood Experiences on the Mental Health of Young Black Men,” at the Black Doctoral Network Conference in Los Angeles.
Trinity Anthony, an art history major, was awarded a ribbon for her project “From Double Consciousness to Intersectionality: Interrogating Queer Identity Through an Intersectional Lens.”
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Dr. Chris Acuff sat down with Local 3 News to discuss the 2024 presidential race.
- Student Nurses Association President Olivia Walls was quoted in a News 12 Now story about the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building.
- Dr. David Pleins’ article “Applying Principles From Neuroscience to Foster Learning—Four Strategies” was published on the Scholarly Teacher website.
- Dr. Jeremy Strickler spoke to Local 3 News after an election debrief held for UTC students.
- In a Local 3 News story, Dr. Bento Lobo discussed interest tax rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
- Vice Chancellor for Research Reinhold Mann was interviewed by the Times Free Press about the change in ownership at Qubitekk.
Mark Your Calendar
 Photo Credit: Tate Johnson / GoMocs.com This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Thursday, Nov. 14: Women’s basketball vs. Troy, McKenzie Arena, 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 14: Men’s basketball vs. Morehead State, McKenzie Arena, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 16: Football vs. Samford, Finley Stadium, 1 p.m.
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Nov. 6-12 is National French Week. UTC is joining hundreds of colleges and universities across the country in celebrating French culture, and we invite you to join us. Also, come study with us in Paris this summer. Join us for an information session to find out more about how you can spend your summer in France. The opportunity is open to all majors, even if you don’t speak French.
- Today (Nov. 12): Lupton 239, 4 p.m.
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Join the Philosophy and Religion Department for the Post-Halloween Philosophical Horror Film Festival from 5:30-7 p.m. today (Nov. 12) in the UC Auditorium to watch films made by UTC students. The films will be judged by a jury of experts, and pizza and candy will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. For questions, contact Ethan-Mills@utc.edu.
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Join UTC Center for Professional Education and ChaTech from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, for “The AI Landscape,” part of the CHAIN AI Sessions.
This in-person session, taking place in the Mapp Building, will focus on “The AI Landscape” and will feature three panelists who will share how they are incorporating AI technology within their organization—Vicki Farnsworth (UTC), Satish Vadlamani (Kenco Group) and Aaron Welch (city of Chattanooga).
Tickets are $25 and include lunch. Register here.
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 The Sweet Research Series recently featured political science students presenting their research. The Department of Political Science and Public Service invites the entire UTC community to our Sweet Research Series, where we will share exciting research and enjoy dessert together. These sessions offer an excellent opportunity to engage with new ideas and connect with peers. All events are from noon-12:50 p.m. on Wednesdays in 540 McCallie Building Room 268 (PSPS Suite Conference Room). Upcoming events include:
- Wednesday, Nov. 13: Dr. Hassan Afzal, “Pocketbook and Sociotropic Economic Voting: How Does Inflation Affect Voting Decisions?”
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In celebration of University Press Week, the UTC Library is hosting an information session from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in room 205 of the Library, with Director of the University of Tennessee Press Katie Hannah. You’re invited to learn about the publishing and editorial process as well as specifics about the inner workings of the UT Press.
Following the presentation, heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served during a 30-minute meet and greet.
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UTC’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, via Zoom. For a list of the proposals that will be considered, log on to Curriculog and select the “Curriculum – Nov 14, 2024” agenda.
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Students in Dr. Katelyn Hancock’s “Ethics in Criminal Justice” will showcase paintings confronting ethical issues in a gallery event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the University Center Chickamauga Room. The event is open to the public, and attendees can take home a student painting in exchange for a cash donation—with all proceeds benefiting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, a local nonprofit.
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Join Olympic gold medalist Olivia Reeves and sociology faculty members for a dynamic discussion on the sociology of sport from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in the UC Raccoon Mountain Room. Topics will include social cohesion, inequality, identity and the impact of sports on contemporary American society. The event will also feature a dedicated Q&A session, offering the audience a chance to engage directly with the panelists.
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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions about UTC’s Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics, Master of Accountancy, and Business Analytics Certificate graduate programs. The Rollins College of Business graduate degree programs provide flexible course options and career advancement resources to advance your education and elevate your career!
MBA Information Sessions
MSM Information Sessions
MSDA Information Sessions
Business Analytics Certificate Information Session
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The public is invited to the last Star Party of the season. The free Star Party is from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, at UTC’s Clarence T. Jones Observatory (10 N. Tuxedo Ave.).
- Tonight’s topic: Space Volcanoes by Amber Newbille
- Featured: Leonid Meteor Shower
- Gates open at 5:30. Lecture and planetarium show begin at 6 p.m. Telescope viewing until 8 p.m.
Seating is limited, so arrive early.
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 Katie Forrester, left, and Ellen Rich in “Bus Stop,” performing at the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre from Nov. 19-23. The UTC Theatre Co. continues its 2024-2025 season with “Bus Stop,” taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19-23 at the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre—with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 23. William Inge’s “Bus Stop” is a quintessentially American story about bus passengers stranded by a blizzard in a diner.
Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here and through the UTC Box Office—in person or by phone (423-425-4369). Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors.
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Come celebrate GIS day on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with UTC’s Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technologies Lab.
To celebrate GIS Day, the IGTLab will offer a free cartography workshop from 9-11:30 a.m., followed by two guest speakers from noon-1 p.m. who are leaders in remote sensing and imagery analysis:
- Biology, Geology and Environmental Science Associate Professor Azad Hossain will speak about his NASA-funded research using remote sensing of water quality in the Tennessee River.
- Paul Dudley, location intelligence analyst with the State of Tennessee, will speak about the work services that his office provides.
GIS Day events are open to the campus and the public. To register, click here. For more information, click here.
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The Office of Planning, Evaluation and Institutional Research (OPEIR) will host another faculty workshop regarding the process for creating and implementing new academic programs. An overview will be provided on the required procedural steps and potential research used to support the proposal of new degree majors, degree concentrations and certificate programs.
RSVP is not required to attend but will help with planning communication. RSVP here.
- Wednesday, Nov. 20: Program feasibility studies, 9 a.m., UTC Library Room 118A. This session will dive into the analysis of program and labor market data used to determine the feasibility and support for developing a new academic program. Attendance at the previous session is not required but suggested.
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The campus community is invited to join bi-weekly sessions of a forum to discuss select topics in Quantum Information Science and Engineering in which important developments are underway at UTC or elsewhere. All sessions are from 4-5 p.m. in Lupton Hall Room 389. For more information, visit utc.edu/research/quantum-center.
Upcoming discussion dates and topics:
The series resumes in 2025 on these dates: Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. Details on topics will be shared as soon as they are finalized.
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The Department of Chemistry and Physics continues its fall semester seminar series from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, in Grote Room 411, with a talk presented by Professor Charles M. Garner from the University of Memphis.
The discussion, titled, “Prospecting for new organic reactions: New ways to use GC instruments in heterogeneous catalysis discovery,” explores cost-effective methods from the Garner Lab that use gas chromatography to uncover new chemical reactions by testing different catalysts and materials, making cutting-edge research more accessible to a wide range of labs.
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Mark you calendars for Chamique Holdsclaw, a mental health advocate, Olympic gold medalist and WNBA Hall of Famer, who will be holding a conversation at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, in the UC Auditorium.
Hailed as the “female Michael Jordan,” Chamique Holdsclaw was a basketball superstar. From leading The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers to three straight NCAA national championships with her team and legendary Coach Pat Summitt to the Olympics to the WNBA, nearly no one has had more focus or drive on the court. And yet underneath, she was pushing down mental health issues that eventually led to a total mental and physical breakdown.
The event is free and open to the public. Please reach out with any questions at mcc@utc.edu.
Campus Updates
The month of November is centered around thankfulness and connection as we enter the holiday season. Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, which is about thanking a member of the military who has transitioned from active service to normal civilian life. As we progress to the end of the month, we have Thanksgiving, which is dedicated to being thankful and surrounding ourselves with loved ones.
Even though this time of year is centered around connectivity and appreciation, it can also be a challenging and isolating season for some. Here are a few tips on how to stay connected and say thank you this month.
- Check out MocSync and attend an event of interest
- Check in with a loved one
- Volunteer on campus or within Chattanooga
- Enjoy an escape room downtown with friends
Let’s do our best to remember how important it is for our Mocs community during this time to stay connected, be kind to those around you and appreciate those who mean the most to us. Instagram (utc_cw)
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It is time to start budget planning for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026). We will be kicking off budget season with three campus-wide budget input sessions. With a focus on transparency and communication, these budget input sessions will be structured to provide participants with meaningful information that is intended to encourage input. Budget planning is better when we hear a variety of perspectives across a variety of topics. We want to hear from you!
Please take the opportunity to attend and participate in as many of the University Center Auditorium sessions as you would like. Once input is collected, we will report back to campus to share what we heard.
- Thursday, Nov. 14: 3-4:30 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 15: 9-10:30 a.m.
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Light therapy is one way to help treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression associated with the lack of natural light during the winter months. The Center for Wellbeing offers students, faculty and staff the ability to check out light boxes to try for free for two-four weeks during the fall, winter or spring semesters.
During light therapy, you sit near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. Light therapy is thought to possibly affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing symptoms of SAD.
Lights can be checked out in-person on a first come, first served basis. They are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for Wellbeing in the UC (on the third floor).
To check out a light box, you will need to:
- show your UTC ID
- complete a screening including a 15-30-minute educational session
- sign consent and fill our survey
Students should return the light to the same location where it was checked out. Please email Amy Kyriakidis with any questions. Book a session here to check out a box.
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Mocs showed off their incredible creativity in the UTC Library’s Halloween costume contest, and campus voting determined the top three costumes in each category. Check out the prize-winning student and employee costumes or visit this link to see all of the amazing costumes.
UTC Newsroom
 Mocs football player Reuben Lowery III, shown here on Homecoming 2024, is a member of the NCAA Football Oversight Committee/Student-Athlete Connection Group. UTC nickelback Reuben Lowery III is one of two Mocs named to the prestigious Senior Bowl Watchlist, but he is better known off the football field for his academics, including a 3.78 GPA and a degree in engineering.
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 Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (left), Andrew Gaddis and his wife, Meredith Gaddis, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Photo by Tia Dufour. Andrew Gaddis, a criminal justice major at UTC, received the Secretary’s Meritorious Service Silver Medal at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Award Ceremony in October.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
- This fall, students in Dr. Katelyn Hancock’s “Ethics in Criminal Justice” course are confronting complex ethical issues in policing, courts and corrections through the lens of art.
- The unlikely story of how his hometown transformed itself from a maligned Southern city into a tech darling is one Charlie Brock might know as well as his personal career story. Those winding paths and how they have now converged was the focus of Brock’s keynote address at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business 2024 Entrepreneurship Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 31.
- Hundreds of prospective students and their families explored UTC during Blue and Gold Preview Day. In addition to campus tours, information sessions and an application workshop, UTC faculty, advisors and current students set up booths in the Aquatic and Recreation Center. Representatives from each academic department shared insights and answered questions from prospective students and their families.
WUTC
Olympic gold medalist and UTC student Olivia Reeves joined WUTC-FM 88.1 for an episode of “Scenic Roots” to discuss her weightlifting career and what it was like to be honored with a parade through campus.
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