October 8-14, 2024

Updates and news for the week of October 8-14, 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

Click here to view this week’s newsletter in your browser

Highlights

UTC-Alert Test Set for 11 a.m. Today

The Department of Public Safety will conduct a test of the University’s emergency alerting system, UTC-ALERT, at 11 a.m. today (Oct. 8). This will include alerts via text message, SafeMocs app, email, UTC-owned computers, electronic displays, emergency beacons, UTC website, UTC Learn/Canvas and social media.

If you have questions about how to sign up or update your UTC-ALERT contact information, visit utc.edu/utc-alert.

To report any issues or concerns, please email dps@utc.edu.

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DASH System Launch

Prepare for the DASH system launch in January with K@TE Training Sessions. Employees will receive their first introduction to DASH through K@TE, the University’s online training platform. These sessions offer a foundational look at key processes and outline important DASH terminology.

A Business Readiness Day on Tuesday, Oct. 29, will focus on two crucial areas.

• Human Resources (HCM), 1:30 p.m.
• Finance (ERP), 2:30 p.m.

Each session will provide targeted training to ensure employees are prepared for the upcoming transition.

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IT’S Open enrollment season

Annual enrollment for 2025 benefits is running through Friday, Oct. 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:

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

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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 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 application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 10, and can be found here.

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Hurricane Helene Donation drive continues this week

In partnership with Garage Bound LLC, UTC faculty and students are collecting donations to be delivered to our neighbors in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina who were affected by Hurricane Helene.

Items needed include: propane stoves and bottles, hand warmers, charcoal grills or small grills, small Coleman heaters, solar or battery-powered table lanterns, lights (larger-sized, cleaned and used are okay), batteries, heaters, kerosene (as much as possible, along with jugs to store it), warm gloves, hats, scarves, coats, sweaters, face coverings, toboggans, kitchen brooms, push brooms, snow shovels, headlamps, flashlights, table candles, horse feed or hay, pots and pans for cooking, small generators, blankets and sleeping bags.

Drop-off locations include the Lupton Hall lobby, University Center (across from the bookstore), 540 McCallie entrance, Decosimo Apartments and the UTC Library.

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Hispanic Heritage Month

UTC is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place 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: 

• Thursday, Oct. 10: Game Night: Lotería, 7-9 p.m., Lupton Hall first floor 
• 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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Election 2024 preparation series

As we approach a critical time in our democratic process, it is important that our University community explore ways to increase civic participation, foster productive dialogue and find common ground. Over the coming weeks, the Election Preparation Series will feature several panels related to the voting process, election administration and the current dynamics of the presidential and congressional campaigns.

• Wednesday, Oct. 16, Voting and election administration, noon-1 p.m., UC Auditorium
• Wednesday, Oct. 23, Polling and state of the race, noon-1 p.m., Derthick Lecture Hall 201
• Wednesday, Nov. 6, Post-election wrap-up, noon-1 p.m., UC Auditorium
• Wednesday, Nov. 20, Post-election wrap-up, noon-1 p.m., UC Auditorium

Outstanding People of UTC

Biochemistry major Zayda Dominick, left, and biophysics major Olivia Ziemer

A group of UTC students, including Zayda Dominick, Olivia Ziemer, Grace Tang, Skylen Casrill and Bryce Danjou, recently attended the Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium at Vanderbilt University. They are believed to be the first UTC students to attend the symposium, which has rotating host sites of Vanderbilt University, Emory University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

“This was the first time we received any sort of invitation to attend,” said Theresa Blackman, assistant director of pre-health student services at UTC, who added that a grant from the Bess Taylor Cofer Professional Health Care Student Advocacy Fund was used to help sponsor the travel.

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Rizwaan Abdulkadir, of Soddy Daisy, and Grant Powell, of Jamestown, Tennessee, are majoring in computer engineering and are due to graduate from UTC in December.

What started as an undergraduate capstone project has become an entrepreneurial adventure for two UTC students. Rizwaan Abdulkadir and Grant Powell, both UTC computer engineering majors set to graduate in December, were part of a five-student team that designed a device to replace the logic board used in the “Digital Logic and Introduction to Computer Hardware” course.

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Power C Tour. Photo courtesy of Philip Sparn.

Representatives from UTC visited Memphis as part of the Power C Tour, a statewide outreach effort to prospective students on academic programs, admissions, housing, financial aid and campus life.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• UTC students and faculty spoke about women outpacing men in college enrollment for a Times Free Press article.
• Dr. Chris Smith and Hannah Barger were featured in a NewsChannel 9 story about Tennessee’s nurse shortage after Hurricane Helene.
• Dr. Amir Alakaam spoke to the Times Free Press about the benefits of brunch.

Mark Your Calendar

Photo credit: gomocs.com

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Today, Oct. 8: Volleyball vs. Alabama A&M, Maclellan Gym, 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9: Softball vs. Cleveland State (DH), Frost Stadium
• Thursday, Oct. 10: Soccer vs. The Citadel, Finley Stadium, 5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 11: Volleyball vs. The Citadel, Maclellan Gym, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 12: Volleyball vs. UNCG, Maclellan Gym, 4 p.m.

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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. today (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. today (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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Visit the Biology, Geology and Environmental Science fall festival from 3:30-5 p.m. today (Oct. 8) on the sidewalk between Holt Hall and Grote Hall. There will be be games, sweets and representatives from student clubs. CAS Hub Advising, Career Connections and pre-health professions will also be represented. Free plants from the Teaching and Learning Garden will be available for “adoption” while they last.

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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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UTC’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee will meet at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, via Zoom.

For a list of the proposals that will be considered, log in to Curriculog and select the “Curriculum – October 10, 2024” agenda.

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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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Dr. Catherine R Womack, MD, FACP and associate dean of Student Affairs and Admissions at the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine, is visiting UTC from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the UC Signal Mountain Room.

She will share what it’s like to be a medical student at UTHSC and will host a Q&A panel with current third- and fourth-year medical students from UTHSC who are currently doing their clinicals at the Chattanooga campus.

The UTC Pre-Medical Society is co-sponsoring the event. View the calendar information here.

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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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Show your campus pride during Homecoming and help restock Scrappy’s Cupboard Food pantry by joining our Homecoming Week food fight Saturday, Oct. 19-Saturday, Oct. 26, with UTC student organizations and offices going head-to-head in a competition to collect donations for Scrappy’s Cupboard.

Groups must sign up here by noon on Friday, Oct. 18, to participate.

At the end of Homecoming, the organization and campus department that donates the most will receive recognition on our Scrappy’s Cupboard Food Fight Plaque and a small gift of appreciation from Scrappy’s Cupboard.

No group but want to give back? Individuals may donate to Scrappy’s Cupboard through the UC Foundation or Amazon Wishlist. Contact scrappyscupboard@utc.edu with questions.

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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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Join the Office of Innovative Technologies for the 2025 UT IT Symposium as one of the presenters. Bring your unique perspective and expertise and share your experiences with your innovative IT solutions, collaborations, research, education and more. The call for presenters is open now through Thursday, Oct. 31. Visit this link to submit a proposal to present.

The symposium is a UT system-wide event that is taking place Jan. 28-29, 2025, at the Knoxville Convention Center. All full- or part-time staff, faculty and graduate students involved in information technology work, learning or research are able to attend.

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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 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 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. 10: Dorance Miles, Zoom, 11 a.m., Calendar
• Friday, Oct. 11: Donald Behneman, Zoom, 12:30 p.m., Calendar
• Wednesday, Oct. 16: Ahmed Mohamed, ECS 316-G, 10 a.m., Calendar
• Thursday, Oct. 17: Tayler Lovelace, 540 McCallie Room 461, 9:30 a.m., Calendar
• Thursday, Oct. 17: Brooke Pierson, Lupton Hall Room 372, 3 p.m., Calendar

Campus Updates

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

Exercise science major Maddie Wheatcroft performs a test on the treadmill administered by faculty and students in the HHP Sports Lab.

The Health and Human Performance Sports Lab is setting the stage for students to dive deep into careers in sports science, exercise physiology and public health. Through a collaboration with Fast Break Athletics, a local running specialty store, the lab offers hands-on learning opportunities that translate into real-world skills—all while strengthening Chattanooga’s fitness community.

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UTC professors Edwin and Krysta Murillo are both first-generation college graduates and ambassadors for UTC’s study abroad programs.

WUTC

Karen Shostak, deputy director of Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, went on an episode of WUTC-FM 88.1’s “Scenic Roots” to discuss this year’s Little Debbie Hamilton County Fair.