Updates and news for the week of October 25 – October 31, 2022

Leslie Jordan, shown here in a 2011 photo after receiving his Walnut Street Bridge plaque from childhood friend Nina Jones Chapin. Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Leslie Jordan, shown here in a 2011 photo after receiving his Walnut Street Bridge plaque from childhood friend Nina Jones Chapin. Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Times Free Press.

UTC Mourns the Passing of Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan, an award-winning TV and movie actor who attended UTC in the early 1980s, died Monday as a result of a car crash in Hollywood, California. Jordan was 67 years old.

Throughout his career, Jordan—a UTC theatre major—talked about growing up in Chattanooga, including his time at UTC. “How Y’All Doing? Misadventures and Mischief From a Life Well Lived,” is Jordan’s 2021 book in which he mentions Dr. Fred Behringer, former chairman of the UTC Theatre Department, as his first mentor.

Read more


Happy Halloween

The UTC Library Halloween Costume Contest has been a campus tradition for over a decade.

Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without a costume contest, and the UTC Library staff has you covered.

From 1-3 p.m. on Monday (October 31), students in costume should stop by the first floor of the library and pose for a photo. Photos will be uploaded to Facebook and the top three student costumes will win $50, $25 and $15 Starbucks gift cards. Check out MocSync for more details.

  • Costumes are fun for everyone! University Events is sponsoring a gift bag stuffed with goodies as a prize for the top employee costume, so UTC faculty and staff are encouraged to enter the costume contest, too.

Please don’t boo the library staff

Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-treating, so drop by for the UTC Library Open House from 1-3 p.m. on Monday. 

You are encouraged to come to the first floor for free buttons, candy, cake, hot chocolate and coffee and qualify for door prizes. Visitors can also play games and discover how the library’s materials and services can help everyone survive the scary parts of the semester.


A “Boo and Gold” Halloween

Boo and Gold photo illustration with a basketball player holding a pumpkin

The Mocs’ men’s and women’s basketball teams and UTC Athletics will host the Halloween-themed “Boo And Gold” on Thursday (October 27)—an event that will feature live scrimmaging, trick-or-treating and games for kids, autographs and even sending one lucky fan home with a year’s supply of Papa John’s pizza.

The McKenzie Arena doors will open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. Due to ongoing construction and renovations at McKenzie Arena, enter the facility at either Gate 2 or Gate 3. Please note that the arena’s clear bag policy will be in effect.


Another Busy Week of Campus Activities

Halloween Goat Yoga, presented by the Center for Wellbeing, is returning to Chamberlain Field—with hourly sessions taking place Wednesday (October 26) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Come de-stress and get in the Halloween spirit with goats dressed in Halloween costumes!

Registration opportunities for faculty/staff—as well as students—can be found by clicking here.


Are you searching for a major that will dare you to care? Then come join the School of Professional Studies for Dare to Care at the Chamberlain Field Pavilion Wednesday (October 25) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for snacks, games and program information. This informal drop-in session will be an opportunity to learn more about our diverse degree program offerings. The School of Professional Studies includes Counselor Education, Social Work, School Psychology and Interior Architecture and Design. Lawn games will be available, so bring your friends for a fun break from class. To learn more about SPS’s program offerings, click here.


On Wednesday (October 26), a panel discussion called “Women. Life. Freedom. The Protests in Iran” will take place at noon in the University Center Signal Mountain Room—featuring Dr. Saeid Golkar (Political Science and Public Service) and Dr. Annie Tracy Samuel (History). The program will be moderated by Dr. Jaclyn Michael (Religion).


Meacham Writers promotional poster

This fall’s Meacham Writers Conference will take place Wednesday-Friday (October 26-28), featuring eight local authors. Four events will take place as part of the conference, including:

  • Wednesday (10/26): Creative Writing Club Kickoff, Lupton Hall 392, 6:15 p.m.
  • Thursday (10/27): Meacham Reading, Patten Chapel, 7 p.m.
  • Friday (10/28): Meacham Reading, Patten Chapel, noon
  • Friday (10/28): Meacham/Halloween English Department Event, Chamberlain Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.

The SimCenter and the Center for Understandable, Performant Exascale Communication Systems are hosting a workshop from 10 a.m.-noon on Friday (October 28) that will cover a quick introduction to Linux and the shell, how to effectively use Git, and a brief description of common DevOps tools and techniques. There are no prerequisites to this workshop, and anyone can participate. The workshop will take place in the Multi-Disciplinary Research Building or remotely via Zoom.


Exercise is Medicine on Campus Month, a social media-driven initiative that promotes physical exercise through activity challenges for students, faculty and staff, continues this week with the following events:

  • Today (10/25): ARC Squat Clinic, ARC, 3 p.m.
  • Today (10/25): Sunset Yoga, Chamberlain Circle, 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday (10/27): ARC Lifting Competition, ARC, 1 p.m.
  • Thursday (10/27): ARC Monster Mash, ARC, 8:30 p.m.

Don’t Forget: FAFSA Fridays

Need help filling out the FAFSA application? Excellent news: the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office wants to help, offering virtual Zoom sessions to assist students in completing their application throughout October on FAFSA Fridays.

The final FAFSA Friday of October is this Friday (October 28) from noon-2 p.m.


We’re No. 1!

A national nursing advocacy organization, RegisteredNursing.org, has ranked the UTC School of Nursing Registered Nurse program as the best in Tennessee for 2023.

In making its announcement, RegisteredNursing.org—which reviewed 47 Tennessee RN programs—said it assessed the programs on several factors representing how well programs support students toward licensure and beyond, most notably the NCLEX-RN pass rates.


We’re No. 1!

The Mocs soccer team doused Head Coach Gavin McKinney after clinching the program's first-ever Southern Conference regular-season title. Photo credit: Furman Athletics.

The Mocs soccer team douses Head Coach Gavin McKinney after clinching the program’s first-ever Southern Conference regular-season title. Photo credit: Furman Athletics.

By playing to a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon at Furman, the UTC soccer team secured the top seed in the Southern Conference tournament—and the program’s first SoCon regular-season title.

After finishing as the top seed, UTC will host quarterfinal and semifinal games Friday (October 28) and Sunday (October 30) at the UTC Sports Complex. The Mocs’ first postseason match will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. For the latest news and information, visit GoMocs.com.

In case you missed it on the Athletics front …


Important Spring 2023 Registration Dates and Information

A message from the Office of the University Registar … 

As we return from fall break, we have upcoming dates as we prepare for the Spring 2023 semester.

October 24: Publication of Spring 2023 class schedule

  • Registration time tickets assigned
  • Students can view their time tickets in MyMocsNet > Academics > My Profile

November 2: All registration holds applied

  • Advisement Hold—students are required to meet with their academic advisors to plan for registration. An Advisement Hold will be placed on your record at the same time your registration time ticket is available in your MyMocsNet account. The advisement hold must be cleared prior to registering for the Spring semester. While you have this hold, you will not be able to register for any courses.
  • To view holds on November 2: MyMocsNet > Academics > Holds

November 9-17: Spring 2023 priority registration for currently enrolled UTC students


Blue and Gold Preview Day

The Undergraduate Admissions Office will be hosting its largest campus recruitment event of the year—the annual Blue and Gold Preview Day for prospective students and their families—on Saturday, November 5. More than 800 people are currently registered for the event.

Blue and Gold Preview Day includes a tour of campus, an academic department fair, a student organization showcase and a residence hall open house. Click here for a link to the online registration, and email carrie-sherbesman@utc.edu if you have any questions.


Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Be On the Lookout

October is Cybersecurity Awarness Month

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness MonthThroughout October, you will be receiving a weekly email from KnowBe4 labeled, “Scam of the Week,” an informational message educating you on the tactics used by hackers to trick users. KnowBe4 is the company that UTC leverages to help train employees to recognize phishing emails.  

As a reminder, if you see something suspicious come across your inbox, please forward it to security@utc.edu or check phishbowl.utc.edu for the latest phishing emails going around. 


Commencement Marshals

A handful of faculty or staff (10-15) are being sought to serve as marshals at each of our three December 2022 commencement ceremonies:

  • Friday, December 16: Graduate School (all colleges), 2:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 17: Undergraduate – College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering and Computer Science, 9 a.m.
  • Saturday, December 17: Undergraduate – Gary W. Rollins College of  Business and College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, 1 p.m.

Click here for more information, including the volunteer signup form.


Hatch It! Competition Hatching Ideas

Join the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at 3:30 p.m. on November 2 in Mapp Building Room 213 for Hatch It!—a high-energy competition where students will pitch their creative business ideas. Register here to attend and cheer on your favorite team.

The following six teams will be competing for prizes:

  • Aqua Bella: Timothy Hawn (Music) and Adin Castle (Entrepreneurship)
  • College Cleaners: Brooke McFarlin (Communication) and Alayna Grover (Civil Engineering)
  • Instant Hem: Morgan Powers (Marketing), Kelly Jacinto (Finance) and Tierra Gwin (Marketing)
  • Last Call: Kate Barry (Psychology) and Andrew Crockett (Marketing)
  • Mocs Nest: William Baker (Marketing) and Jacob Cox (Marketing)
  • SinceBirth Apparel: Devin Lay (Business Management) and Jaytonn Hunter (Computer Science)

UTC Symphony Orchestra to Hold Free Concert

Orchestra-22

The UTC Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert at 3 p.m. on November 6 in the Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall. The concert will feature Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastorale,” written as a celebration of life in the country as Beethoven came to terms with his deafness. Also on the program is Dr. Kenyon Wilson’s “Songs of Distant Earth,” a work inspired by the dwarf planets in the Milky Way solar system.

The 60-member college/community orchestra, conducted by Sandy Morris, includes University music majors and non-majors, UTC music faculty members, area music educators and other talented amateur and professional musicians from the region.


UTC Community Research Forum on Ending Homelessness

University Center

The Vice Chancellor for Research and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs are hosting a forum with the Department of Emergency Medicine at Erlanger Hospital focused on research related to ending and alleviating the health disparities associated with homelessness. The forum will include representatives from Erlanger, the City of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition.

The event will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on November 4 in the University Center. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by Friday (October 28).


The outstanding people of UTC

Coffee with the Chancellor, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in the Military Science building.

Michelle Pelfrey and Dr. Angle at the October 19 Coffee with the Chancellor

Military Science Administrative Assistant Michelle Pelfrey, who is retiring in January, was recognized at last week’s Coffee with the Chancellor for her 15 years at UTC.

Check out these other Mocs making a difference:

  • MPH Program Director and Associate Professor Amir Alakaam was selected as president of Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition And Dietetics (CAND), and Assistant Professor Melissa Powell was selected as president-elect. CAND is an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in Chattanooga.
  • Political Science and Economics double major Rohan Thompson was one of 25 students selected nationally to attend Navigating a Fractured World,” a global conference hosted by the World Affairs Councils of America on November 16-18 in Washington, D.C.
  • Associate Professor of Physical Therapy June Hanks was an honoree during last week’s 39th Women of Distinction of Greater Chattanooga annual awards luncheon.
  • Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Karen Babine’s essay, titled “Falling,” was published in Waxwing Literary Journal.
  • A Local 3 News feature about the University’s Music Row living/learning community included interviews with resident assistant Lauren Graves and the Music Department’s Jordan Hicks.
  • “Songbirds: A Documentary”an Emmy Award-winning story about the world’s most extensive collection of vintage guitars
  • A recent episode of “Scenic Roots” on WUTC-FM 88.1 included segments with UC Foundation Assistant Professor of Political Science Saeid Golkar and Ukraine grad students Arsen Martyshchuk and Nina Klimenkova.

Course Catalog

Logo for Philosophy 4940—Topics in the Philosophy of Health, Illness, and Medicine

The Department of Philosophy and Religion is offering a new course, Philosophy of Health, Medicine and Illness—part of a new major track designed for students interested in post-graduate careers in health care. The department also has a new major track called Philosophy Pre-Law, Ethics and Justice; details can be found by clicking here.


A new course, MUS 3200 African American Music: An Introduction, will meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2-2:50 p.m. during the spring 2023 semester. The General Education course satisfies the Visual and Performing Arts subcategory of Fine Arts and Humanities and also counts toward the Africana Studies minor. For additional information, contact Erika-Schafer@utc.edu.


Campus Updates

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 2023 dates: February 11, April 15, June 10 and July 15. If you are interested in working—for one session or all four—please email cathy-jackson@utc.edu.


The Vice Chancellor for Research and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will be hosting a Grant Writing Workshop and individual, technical assistance consultation sessions on February 2-3, 2023. UTC will again be partnering with The Implementation Group to bring valuable proposal development activities to campus. This workshop is highly encouraged for new faculty or faculty who are new to federal proposal development. New this year is a session on the National Institutes of Health R15 program. Click here to register for the workshop and here to register for 1:1 consultations.


The UTC Commission on the Status of Women is offering an informal fall book club featuring “The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work.” There are different ways to participate, including joining a group led by commission member Sarah Canatsey that will meet at 4 p.m. on November 1, November 8, November 15 and November 29. Click here for more information, and email women@utc.edu to register.


UTSA HR is offering free “Virtual Safe Space” sessions to help employees manage stress they may be experiencing professionally and personally. The next group session, hosted by a trained facilitator who is licensed as a mental health clinician, will take place Wednesday (October 26) from 1-2 p.m. Individuals may register for each session through K@TE.


There are many faculty, staff and students on campus who play the trumpet, and trumpeters of all abilities are invited to participate in the TAPS Project. Beginning at 9:45 a.m. on November 11, trumpets will be performing “Taps” in sequence around the UTC campus in honor of Veterans Day. Click here for more information and to register.


Thanks to generous donations from partners and sponsors, UTC Veteran and Military Affairs will host Veterans Day food trucks on campus on November 11. All are welcome to attend. Veteran and Military Affairs is calling on everyone to spread the news and support.


The Honors College invites full-time faculty members from all colleges to submit proposals for special-topics general education seminars to be taught in the 2023–2024 academic year. “We’re asking for your ‘dream courses,’ classes you’ve always thought would engage and transform students, but that may not fit easily into a departmental program,” said Will Kuby, associate dean of the Honors College. Click here for more information, including the application process.


The Offices of Equity and Inclusion and Human Resources announced Search Committee Training dates for Fall 2022. Search Committee Training is mandatory for anyone serving on a faculty or exempt staff search committee at UTC, and the training must be repeated after two years. This Zoom training provides essential information and resources for search committee members.


Mark your calendars for the 2022 Study Abroad Fair. If you’re interested in studying abroad during your time at UTC, stop by the UC Tennessee Room on November 9 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. to talk to 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. Learn more by signing up here for the Study Abroad 101 Canvas course.


Scenic Roots: One-on-One with Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly

Last Thursday afternoon, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly visited the WUTC Studio for his latest monthly conversation.


Looking ahead

Events posted to this week’s University master calendar include:

The men's golf team, winners of back-to-back tournaments (Wolfpack Invitational and Furman Intercollegiate), return to the links this week at the Saint Mary’s Invitational in Pebble Beach, California. Photo credit: Julie Pare/GoMocs.com.

The men’s golf team, winners of back-to-back tournaments (Wolfpack Invitational and Furman Intercollegiate), return to the links this week at the Saint Mary’s Invitational in Pebble Beach, California. Photo credit: Julie Pare/GoMocs.com.

This week’s Mocs Athletics calendar:

  • Thursday (10/27): Men’s Tennis—UTC Steve Baras Invite (UTC Tennis Center)
  • Friday (10/28): Men’s Tennis—UTC Steve Baras Invite (UTC Tennis Center)
  • Friday (10/28): Volleyball vs. Samford (Maclellan Gym), 6 p.m.
  • Friday (10/28): Soccer vs. Wofford or Furman (UTC Sports Complex), 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday (10/29): Men’s Tennis—UTC Steve Baras Invite (UTC Tennis Center)
  • Saturday (10/29): Cross Country/Track & Field at Southern Conference Championships (Charleston, S.C.), 10 a.m.
  • Saturday (10/29): Football at Furman (Greenville, S.C.), 2:30 p.m.
  • Saturday (10/30): Volleyball vs. Mercer (Maclellan Gym), 4 p.m.
  • Sunday (10/30): Men’s Tennis—UTC Steve Baras Invite (UTC Tennis Center)
  • Monday (10/31): Men’s Golf at Saint Mary’s Invitational (Pebble Beach, Calif.)

Looking back

Professor of Computer Science Hong Qin

Professor of Computer Science Hong Qin (pictured) has been selected to advance to the second of three rounds of review in the U.S. National Academy of Medicine’s Healthy Longevity Global Grand Challenge.

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


Be Well Tip of the Week: Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month Edition

October is National Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Center for Wellbeing and the Center for Women and Gender Equity are offering programs throughout the month to learn more about dating and domestic violence.

For more information about resources available to survivors of domestic or dating violence, check out UTC’s Title IX page. For tips on how to support survivors, visit Survivor Advocacy Services.

This week’s events include:

  • Today (10/25): Don’t be a Pumpkinhead: Green Flags Party Luncheon, Lupton Hall 118, 11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday (10/26): Take Back the Night, Chamberlain Field, 7 p.m.
  • Thursday (10/27): Keep It Spooky, Keep It Safe, Heritage Plaza, 2 p.m.

If you have news, events or announcements you would like shared in UTC Campus Weekly, Campus Updates and the University events calendar, please email Chuck Wasserstrom in the Division of Communications and Marketing.

  • Please submit your information by 3 p.m. on Friday for placement in the following Tuesday’s newsletter.
  • The Division of Communications and Marketing will work with campus calendar users to ensure events are properly posted so they can be featured in the newsletter.
 

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