October 1-7, 2024

Updates and news for the week of October 1-7, 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.

UTC News  |  UTC Events Calendar  |  Campus Updates

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Highlights

TODAY IS MOCS GIVE DAY

Today is Mocs Give Day, UTC’s annual day of giving. There are nine special Mocs Give Day matches and challenges spanning from Mocs Club to the Counseling Center to each college. You can make a bigger impact on the places around campus that matter to you just by giving today.

With a goal of raising $2 million from 2,000 donors, help us reach this goal and make your gift to UTC!

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IT’S Open enrollment season

Annual enrollment for 2025 benefits is running from Oct. 1-18, offering you the opportunity to review and adjust your current benefits. To learn more, visit this link.

Human Resources is here to help you navigate the enrollment changes and options this year. Q&A sessions will be held via Zoom at the following times:

• 1-1:45 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3
• 9-9:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9
• 3-3:45 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14
• 10-10:45 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android here.

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Nominations and applications for the 2024 public service award

The UTC Alumni Board of Directors and the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs are taking applications and nominations for the Public Service Award. Two student awardees, who will be recognized during homecoming festivities, will receive a $1,000 scholarship for their dedication to voluntary service, whether through campus organizations, community involvement or philanthropic endeavors.

The nomination deadline is Friday, Oct. 4, and can be found here. The application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 10, and can be found here.

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Hispanic Heritage Month

UTC is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

This year’s theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” and UTC’s festivities will include a lineup of events, activities and educational programs designed to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the range of cultures and backgrounds within Hispanic and Latino communities. 

The Office of Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with numerous campus and community partners, coordinates the UTC Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Here is a list of this week’s events: 

• Tuesday, Oct. 1-Saturday, Oct. 5: UTC Theatre Co. Presents “Blood Wedding” by Federico García Lorca, Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre
• Saturday, Oct. 5: Fiestaval: A Taste of Latin America, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Miller Park 
• All Month: Hispanic Heritage Month Timeline, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Multicultural Center (Lupton Hall 119)
• All Month: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage with UTC Library, all day

For more information, visit the Hispanic Heritage Month webpage.

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Encore! Encore!

Freshman Prince Jackson, left, and senior Caton Taylor are two of the UTC students performing in Federico García Lorca’s “Blood Wedding.”

Cycles of violence and revenge churn in a mythic tale coming to the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre stage.  

The UTC Theatre Co. begins its 2024-2025 season with its production of legendary poet and playwright Federico García Lorca’s “Blood Wedding.” Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1-5, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Oct. 5. 

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. 

Outstanding People of UTC

UTC’s Dr. Bradley Harris and other UTC faculty and students worked with Brainerd High School students earlier this year as part of an engineering challenge.

Fifty Brainerd High School students showed Dr. Bradley Harris the power of “problem-based learning” (PBL) and are the inspiration behind a winning proposal for a UT System “Grand Challenges” grant. Harris, associate professor and head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, is principal investigator for the proposal titled “Thermal runaway in EV batteries: A transformational PBL unit for high school chemistry.” Dr. Stephanie Philipp, assistant professor of education and director of the UTC STEM Education Program, is co-principal investigator.

Four other UTC-lead projects landed “Grand Challenges” grants:

• Neurodivergent Education Transition (NET): Partnership between neurodivergent self-advocates, the Mosaic Program (Amy Rutherford and Hayleigh Weissenbach), the School of Education (Amanda Hardin and April Wilson) and other system partners.
• Reading The Room | Navigating Social Interactions: Co-project leads are Mosaic Program Director Amy Rutherford and School Psychology Assistant Professor Amanda Hardin.
• Tempo-Spatial Analysis of Rural Gentrification in TN: Co-principal investigators are Engineering Management Assistant Professor Serkan Varol and GIS Director Charlie Mix.
• Enhancing Community Tools and Recovery Supports for Those at Risk of HIV Transmission and Substance Misuse Through the Recovery+ Program: Project leaders are Dr. Tyler Oberheim(Counselor Education), Megan McKnight (Center for Wellbeing) and Jami Hargrove (Center for Wellbeing).

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UTC’s Kynedi Jennings was one of six statewide recipients of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarships (photo courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee).

Kynedi Jennings, a sophomore nursing major at UTC, was one of six Tennessee college students selected for $10,000 awards as recipients of the 2024 BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarship, funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• UTC students Karlee Ming and Caton Taylor appeared on The Daily Refresh to discuss upcoming UTC Theatre Co. performances of “Blood Wedding.”
• New UTC Literacy Director Yvette Stewart was featured in a Times Free Press article.
• Dr. Irv Resnick, who is part of an international scholar cohort at the College for Social Sciences and Humanities in Essen, Germany, was featured in a University Alliance Ruhr article.
• Dr. Amy Brock Hon discussed two sinkholes in McMinn County for a NewsChannel 9 story.
  
• Local 3 News spoke to Dr. David Aborn about bird migration.
• Dr. Gary Wilkerson gave facts and advice about overcoming clumsiness in an Experience Life blog.
• Daniel Grzesik, director of Leadership Development and Programs, was named co-chair of the leadership committee for the United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s Emerging Leaders Program.

Mark Your Calendar

Photo credit: gomocs.com

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Thursday, Oct. 3: Softball vs. Chattanooga State, Frost Stadium, 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 6: Soccer vs. East Tennessee State, Finley Stadium, 5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 7: Softball vs. Lee University, Frost Stadium, 5 p.m.

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Join a conversation about sex education, body positivity and reproductive health at 6 p.m. today (Oct. 1) in the Guerry Center Reading Room.

Speakers include Kinsey Institute Director Justin Garcia, UTC Assistant Professor of Sociology Natalie Blanton, Mandy Crowley with Step Ahead and UTC students involved in Generation Action.

The event is sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women; Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program; Division of Access and Engagement; Department of Art; Department of Social, Cultural and Justice Studies; the UTC Honors College; and the Department of History.

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Mark your calendars for the 2024 Study Abroad Fair. If you’re interested in studying abroad during your time at UTC, don’t miss the biggest study abroad event of the year. Stop by the University Center Tennessee Room from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, to talk to our partners from across the globe, chat with study abroad alumni, eat food from around the world and grab some swag T-shirts, magnets, stickers and more.

If you’re interested in studying abroad and haven’t joined the Study Abroad 101 Canvas course, you can sign up here.

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Interested in advancing your career and elevating education?

Attend the UTC Grad Fair from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the University Center Tennessee Room to chart your own path and unlock your potential.

• Explore programs: Discover your path with UTC’s advanced degrees.
• Meet experts: Connect with faculty, staff and program representatives.
• Get answers: Gain insight on career paths and admissions processes.

The event is open to anyone interested in transforming their future with a graduate degree from UTC.

Free application fee waivers and giveaways will be available for attendees.

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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).

Fall 2024 Sweet Research Series Schedule:

• Wednesday, Oct. 2: Dr. Sarah Heise, “Gender and Party Issue Ownership: Gained Electoral Advantages Based on Candidate Gender”
• Wednesday, Oct. 9 (Student Edition): Brylee Downing, “The Effect of Work Stress on a Person’s Sleep Habits” … Alice Hall, “Perceptions of Immigrants in America” … Jacqueline Alvarado, “Self-perception of Immigrants Towards Their Mental Health” … Parker Simons, “Retirement Divided on Class Lines” … Bella Craig, “The Effect of Media Confidence on Partisans’ Decisions to Vote”
• Wednesday, Nov. 13: Dr. Hassan Afzal, “Pocketbook and Sociotropic Economic Voting: How Does Inflation Affect Voting Decisions?”
• Wednesday, Nov. 20: Dr. Michelle D. Deardorff, “The Art of Authoring Textbook”

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The College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff are invited to a meet and greet with the CAS Inclusive Excellence Committee from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in Lupton Hall Room 120.

This is an opportunity to connect, celebrate our accomplishments and learn about the inspiring initiatives that CAS Inclusive Excellence Committee has planned for this academic year. Enjoy light refreshments while engaging with colleagues and discovering how we can all contribute to creating an inclusive environment.

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Join the Gary W. Rollins College of Business for an exploration of U.S. tax policy with Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, in the University Center Tennessee Room.

Laffer’s groundbreaking influence on public policy in the 1980s earned him the title, “The Father of Supply-Side Economics.” He served on President Ronald Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board from 1981-1989, was a key member of the Reagan/Bush Finance Committee in 1984 and advised Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on fiscal policy in the 1980s. In 2019, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.

This event is free, but registration is requested.

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The Hoodoo Men will perform Delta blues during their Oct. 4 performance in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall.

The UTC Fine Arts Center, a premier venue for outstanding music and theatre, has announced its much-anticipated UTC LIVE! 2024-2025 Performing Arts Series.

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Join Donuts with the Dean, a meet and greet with the Graduate School, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, and Monday, Nov. 11, in the first floor lobby of Lupton Hall. Guests will have the opportunity to:

• Connect with the Graduate School dean and staff
• Learn more about advanced degrees at UTC
• Discover valuable resources for graduate students
• Enjoy light refreshments and donuts

The event is open to all students and faculty interested in graduate studies at UTC.

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The Tennessee Legislative Internship Program provides juniors and seniors an outstanding opportunity to learn about law, state government and the legislative process. Interns live in Nashville for the spring 2025 semester and do very “real” work, helping to manage committees, conducting bill research and assisting with constituent relations. Interns are paid $500 a week plus a $500 relocation stipend. To learn more, first read the information provided by the program here. For those interested in applying, instructions and forms are available here.

Application materials are due by noon on Friday, Oct. 4. Please contact Dr. Jeremy Strickler for more information.

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The Read to Achieve Steering Committee is seeking volunteers for its Selection Committee for 2025-2026 text. The deadline for submission is Friday, Oct. 4.

The selected text has a variety of criteria to meet, chief among those are:

• Readability and potential for engaging students
• Accurate and respectful portrayals of diverse cultures and identities
• Relevance to first-year students, current society, and/or local community
• Possibilities for additional programming, especially inclusion in first-year courses or other areas of the curriculum
• Reasonable Cost (less than $20)
• Manageable Length (around 200-300 pages)

The Selection Committee reviews and selects from suggestions submitted to this link.

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The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures is inviting the entire campus community and general public to attend Fiestaval: A Taste of Latin America from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, in Miller Park (928 Market St.).

The department has partnered with the event organizers, including Pedro Abriles of the River City Company Emerging Producers Program, for the grand finale of “Canta: Festival de la Canción en Español” as part of Fiestaval. The participants all sang on campus on Sept. 6, and finalists—including a UTC student—selected that day will be presenting again in Fiestaval, where winners will be selected and prizes will be awarded.

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Join the UTC Environmental Studies program and Read2Achieve for the highly acclaimed C-Change Conversations Primer, a non-partisan, innovative and science-based presentation about our changing climate.

“Climate Change Primer: A Cool-Headed Discussion of a Hot Topic” will take place from 5:30-6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the Lupton Hall first floor common area. Click here to RSVP.

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Unlock your potential and elevate your professional growth by attending Graduate School professional development workshops. Each workshop will be held in the UTC Library room 435. Snacks, refreshments and giveaways will be available for attendees.

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Join Career Connections for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) takeover from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, on Chamberlain Field. Discover your next career move with TVA by learning about exciting internships and open positions, and see what it’s like to work for a company powering the region.

Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with TVA representatives and employees, and see Spot the robot dog.

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While scientific consensus about climate change is widespread, implementing policies to combat the effects of climate change on local, regional, national and international scales remains a challenge. Why is there such a disconnect and what can be done on a local level to bridge the divide?

Join renowned climate change communicator Kathleen Biggins in conversation with three local leaders––John Bilderback, Marisa Ogles and Erik Schmidt––in the realms of policy, planning and funding at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Mapp Building Room 102, as they discuss strategies for effectively communicating the impacts of climate change to stakeholders. RSVP here.

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Come to the Psychology Career Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, in the University Center Tennessee Room. The career fair is designed to help you learn about a wide range of opportunities and to find your perfect fit. You will be exposed to a diverse group of employers offering jobs, internships, volunteer positions and much more.

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Human Resources provided a list of October staff development opportunities. Upcoming events include a Friday, Oct. 11 online session titled “How to Understand Non-Verbal Communication.” Click here to register for the Optum training.

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The Challenger STEM Learning Center is hosting “STEAMagination”—an exciting and educational event designed for K-8 students and their families—from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. Admission and parking for the event are free.

For more information, visit this link.

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Once upon a time at UTC…Get ready to have your Scrappy Ever After Homecoming as students, alumni, faculty, staff and community showcase UTC spirit. Join us for Homecoming Week Saturday, Oct. 19-Saturday, Oct. 26. Learn how to get involved as an individual, student organization or campus office/department below. Follow us @utchomecoming and visit utc.edu/homecoming to see our full schedule.

• Organization Banner Painting: Registration now open through 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. Click here to register your student organization. Limited spots available.
• Office/Residence Hall Decorating: Registration is now open through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. Click here to register as an individual office space, campus department or residence hall.
• UTC Day of Service: Registration opens soon. You can register as an individual or student organization on MocSync. Limited spots available.

For questions, email kidron-bullock@utc.edu.

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The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Computer Science are teaming up to offer high school juniors and seniors—and their families—an immersive campus experience tailored to students interested in pursuing professional careers in health care, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and computer science.

College Quest, taking place from 12:45-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 (during Hamilton County Schools’ fall break), offers prospective students a unique opportunity to explore their specific academic and professional interests far beyond the traditional campus tour—including visits to lab spaces.

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Join the Gary W. Rollins College of Business from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the University Center Auditorium for a review of education policy and a panel discussion featuring a variety of education specialists. The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Claudia Williamson Kramer and will also feature an opportunity for the audience to submit questions for the group.

This event is free, but registration is requested. Register here.

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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.

• Thursday (Oct. 3): James Cummins, Lupton Hall 389, 4:30 p.m., Calendar
• Friday (Oct. 4): Sevyn Brothers, Holt Hall Room 112, 2 p.m., Calendar
• Thursday (Oct. 10): Dorance Miles, Zoom, 11 a.m., Calendar
• Friday (Oct. 11): Donald Behneman, Zoom, 12:30 p.m., Calendar

Campus Updates

Caffeine––you probably love it––and if not, you’ve likely heard about it, seen it and/or consumed it.

It may surprise you that one in four Americans report they can’t go a day without caffeine, while 97% of Americans drink caffeine at some point in their lives. The widespread use of caffeine can likely be attributed to caffeine’s improvement to your mood, psychomotor functioning and immune response. Caffeine has also been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and liver disease. As you’re reading, you may think, “Wow, caffeine is amazing and has so many benefits, I might as well drink it all the time every day.”

However, like with many things, there are risks to be aware of when consuming caffeine.

• Caffeine is an addictive substance that can result in tolerance increases with regular use, alongside withdrawal symptoms from a decrease or stop in use.
• When choosing your caffeinated beverages, it is also important to understand the amount of caffeine you’re ingesting. The recommended daily caffeine intake is 400mg of caffeine. This is most commonly consumed through coffee, with coffee being one of the most popular drinks containing caffeine and being widely sold in many stores and cafes.
• It is important to understand the average amount of caffeine in your coffee drinks.

So, enjoy your coffee, energy drinks and tea, but do your research and be mindful of the things you consume this semester. Instagram (utc_cw)

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Are you a first-generation college graduate?

Student Success Programs is updating its list of faculty and staff who are first-generation graduates. A first-generation graduate is an individual who earned a bachelor’s degree and whose parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree. If this is you, please complete this form.

Mark your calendars for First Gen Week, which takes place Nov. 4-8.

UTC Newsroom

Dr. Trey Straussberger, director of the Office of National Scholarships, answered some questions to explain how he can help students accomplish their college dreams.

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Dr. Yvette Stewart

Dr. Yvette Stewart has been named assistant professor and literacy director for the UTC School of Education and the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education. Stewart, who has worked for Hamilton County Schools since 2018, will begin her new role at UTC on Oct. 21.

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

• Dr. Hassan Afzal’s path to UTC is anything but typical, with an academic background as varied as it is impressive. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from American International University-Bangladesh, two master’s degrees—in IT and business—from the University of Dhaka, an MBA from Idaho State University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University in Ohio.
• UTC is using real-life experiences to prepare its students for their future careers. A near NFL tragedy that unfolded during a national TV broadcast has been turned into a learning experience to educate and inspire the next generation of UTC health care workers, dietitians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers.

WUTC

Katie Owens, a teaching artist with the Wolf Trap program at the Arts-Based Collaborative on campus, shared her journey as a writer and artist in a recent interview on WUTC-FM 88.1’s “Scenic Roots.”