September 10-16, 2024

Updates and news for the week of September 10-16, 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

Coming soon: Founder’s Week 2024

Every September, the UTC commemorates its creation during Founder’s Week—a weeklong celebration of the first day in the University’s history. This year’s Founder’s Week is highlighted by the grand opening of the Wolford Family Athletic Center—the site of Chancellor Angle’s annual State of the University address.

The Founder’s Week 2024 calendar offers a distinct lineup of events designed to celebrate UTC’s past while looking forward to its future. Highlights include:

• Scrappy’s Cupboard Founder’s Week Food Drive (Monday-Friday, all week)
• Mocs Flock Finley (Saturday, Sept. 14)
• Leadership and Ethics Speaker Series (Tuesday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m., University Center Auditorium)
• Coffee with the Chancellor (Wednesday, Sept. 18, 8:15-9:30 a.m., Wolford Family Athletic Center)
• Rollins Day (Thursday, Sept. 19, 2-5 p.m., Fletcher Hall lawn)
• United Way Day of Caring (Friday, Sept. 20, 7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

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Mocs Flock Finley

One of UTC’s great campus traditions is Mocs Flock Finley, an event welcoming new students to UTC football—with first-year students leading the team through the tunnel. The students are the guests of honor for food, fun, freebies and pregame tailgating outside the First Horizon Pavilion before they get to run across the football field. The football team begins its home campaign on Saturday, Sept. 14, with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Mercer.

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Mark your Calendars for Mocs Give Day

Tuesday, Oct. 1, is Mocs Give Day—UTC’s annual day of giving—when proud alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends unite and give generously to make a difference for UTC. With nine matches and challenges across campus supporting every college, athletics and more, your gift to UTC can go further just by giving.

You can also be a Mocs Give Day Advocate. You’ll receive an exclusive T-shirt when you commit to making a gift on Oct. 1 and encourage others to donate as well. Visit mocsgiveday.utc.edu to learn more.

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A&SRC to host Food Drive

Over 180 students residing in Decosimo Apartments at UTC are gearing up for a year of living and learning among their peers with the Arts and Sciences Residential College (A&SRC). 

The highlight of this year’s service initiative is the inaugural A&SRC Food Drive, kicking off on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and running through Thursday, Sept. 26. Partnering with Scrappy’s Cupboard, the drive will be led by A&SRC student volunteers. 

Volunteers from each residential learning community will decorate collection boxes, which will be placed in the main offices of academic departments across campus to encourage donations.

Learn more about A&SRC community service initiatives here.

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Free Application Week is Sept. 16-20

Tell your brothers, sisters, children, friends and neighbors. Free Application Week at UTC is Sept. 16-20 and will save undergraduate applicants $30 each. Applicants must use FREEAPP25 when prompted for a discount code in the regular UTC application portal. Learn more here.

Outstanding People of UTC

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Olympic gold medalist and UTC student Olivia Reeves was honored in a parade and pep rally where she was presented the key to the city.

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From left: Jannatul Ferdoush, Tyler Oberheim, Jared Pienkos, Reetesh Ranjan, Sean Richards, Kathryn Taylor

The Ruth S. Holmberg Grants support faculty members who have demonstrated the potential and ability to function at a higher level of scholarship, engage students in addressing problems of contemporary importance through research efforts, or work with tenured faculty or the administration in building innovative curriculum. Each Holmberg recipient will receive up to $5,000 in funding to support their proposal. The recipients of the Holmberg Grants for 2024-2025 are below, along with their funded proposal’s title.

• Dr. Jannatul Ferdoush, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science; Project Title: Potential Therapeutics Against Cancer via Understanding Overexpression of Taf2
• Dr. Tyler Oberheim, Assistant Professor, Counselor Education; Project Title: Substance Use Patterns in College Students with ADHD
• Dr. Jared Pienkos, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics; Project Title: The Synthesis of Tunable Ruthenium Molecular Squares and Analysis of Electron-transfer within these Squares
• Dr. Reetesh Ranjan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Proposal Title: Numerical Investigation of Fundamental Features and Efficient Modeling of High-Speed Wall-Bounded Turbulent Flows
• Dr. Sean Richards, Professor, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science; Proposal Title: Proposal for Training in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Apply Cutting-Edge Metabolomics in Women’s Health Research
• Dr. Kathryn Taylor, Assistant Professor, Department of History; Proposal Title: Censors and Readers in Early Modern Italy

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Dr. JAy Blackman

Dr. JAy Blackman has been appointed the University’s vice chancellor of communications and marketing, effective Oct. 1. Blackman has worked for UTC since 2008 and has served as the University’s deputy athletics director for internal operations since April 2021.

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From left: Francesca Leasi, David Giles, Loren Hayes and Azad Hossain

A trio of research proposals led by UTC Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science faculty members Francesca Leasi, David Giles, Loren Hayes and Azad Hossain has secured over $1.8 million in external grant and contract awards, marking a successful summer for funding.

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Check out these Mocs making news:

• UTC communication student Mason Edwards wrote an article for the Times Free Press about viral fake images of fire halos over Chattanooga, featuring Director of English Graduate Studies Rik Hunter.
• Professor David Aborn spoke to the Times Free Press for an article about his collaboration with the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and other nonprofit organizations. The project focuses on studying the declining wood thrush population by tracking the species with radio transmitters.

Mark Your Calendar

Photo credit: Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Today (Sept. 10): Volleyball vs. Jacksonville State, Maclellan Gym, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 14: Football vs. Mercer, Finley Stadium, 6 p.m.

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The Division of Access and Engagement will host a campus screening of the critically acclaimed documentary “How to Sue the Klan” from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Click here to register for the screening.

“How to Sue the Klan” is a powerful documentary that recounts the courageous story of five Black women from Chattanooga who, in 1982, took a bold legal stand against the Ku Klux Klan. In this landmark civil case, they fought for justice and accountability, setting a historic legal precedent in the fight against organized hate. The film highlights their determination and the lasting impact of their efforts.

• The panel discussion will feature a conversation with renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker John Beder. The panel will delve into the film’s themes, the legal battle’s historical significance, and its ongoing relevance in contemporary social justice movements.
• The screening is made possible through the collaboration of the Division of Access and Engagement with contributions from the UTC Library Archives and Dr. Susan Eckelmann, associate professor of history and Africana studies.

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• Physical therapy examination and weekly training at the ARC
• Nutrition assessment including diet and body composition analysis
• Regular health coaching
• Unlimited ARC membership from September 2024–January 2025
• Those who consistently participate for the duration of the program will be entered into raffles for prizes, including an Instant Pot and a three-month ARC membership extension
• Surveys related to the research project

• Full-time UTC employee
• Willingness to participate in the associated research study
• Available to attend weekly training Thursdays from 3:15-5:15 p.m.

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.

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will host “Understanding Intellectual Property: Strategies for Innovation and Protection” at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, via Zoom. Please click here to register in advance.

UT Research Foundation Associate Technology Manager Gregory Sechrist will provide an overview of intellectual property and best practices for protecting research outcomes, reporting inventions and utilizing UTRF’s free services. Angie Morelock, director of award services in the UTC Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), will provide an overview of intellectual property and related topics for faculty to consider regarding sponsored research projects.

For more information or questions, contact Commercialization Counselor Jennifer Skjellum at jennifer-skjellum@utc.edu.

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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.

Business Analytics Certificate Information Sessions 

• Thursday, Sept. 12: Noon, Register Here … 5 p.m., Register Here 

MSDA Information Sessions 

• Tuesday, Sept. 17: Noon, Register Here … 6 p.m., Register Here   

MSM Information Sessions 

• Wednesday, Sept. 18: Noon, Register Here … 5 p.m., Register Here 

MAcc Information Sessions 

• Thursday, Sept. 19: Noon, Register Here … 5 p.m., Register Here 

MBA Information Sessions 

• Friday, Sept. 20: Noon, Register Here

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The Department of Chemistry and Physics kicks off its fall semester seminar series with a talk presented by Dr. Ada Sedova, an associate research scientist in the Molecular Biophysics Group at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, in Grote Hall 411. Sedova’s presentation is titled “What is HPC, and how can it be used in the physical and chemical sciences?” Click here to learn more.

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The Star Party season opens Sunday, Sept. 15, at UTC’s Clarence T. Jones Observatory. The public is invited to attend this free event.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the lecture and planetarium show beginning at 7 p.m. and rotating every half hour. A telescope viewing will be available until 9 p.m., featuring Chattanooga’s historic 20.5-inch telescope. Visitors can enjoy a planetarium show, learn about the latest astronomical research and meet members of the UTC Chemistry and Physics Department as well as the Barnard Astronomical Society.

Seating is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early. The Clarence T. Jones Observatory is located at 10 N. Tuxedo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37411.

For more information, visit the Observatory webpage.

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Join the Gary W. Rollins College of Business for the inaugural “Leading Responsibly” speaker series featuring BJ Coleman—former UTC quarterback, College Football All-American and Green Bay Packer—from 4-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the University Center Auditorium.

Now the group CEO of a leading behavioral health company, Coleman brings invaluable insights from both the sports and business worlds in his talk, “Life in 2.5 Seconds: Ethical Lessons for the Game of Life.” He will explore how split-second decisions shape our lives and why choosing the ethical path matters.

This event is free, but seating is limited. Register here.

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The UTC Department of History will host the Southern Labor Studies Association (SLSA) conference Sept. 19-22 at various locations around campus, bringing together scholars, labor activists and community members to explore the rich history and evolving dynamics of labor in the southern United States. 

The theme of this year’s bi-annual SLSA conference, “Crossroads of Resistance,” will explore the intersection of rising reactionary movements and opportunities for radical change in southern labor history. The event will include various activities such as breakout sessions, film screenings and performances, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and current struggles of southern working people. 

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UTC is excited to participate in the United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s city-wide “Day of Caring” volunteer service initiative on  Friday, Sept. 20. Make your plans to join your fellow Mocs, the United Way and 500-plus volunteers from around Chattanooga. Your servant leadership hands are needed for efforts such as cleaning, sorting, painting, mowing, mulching, moving debris and writing cards.

UTC volunteers have an opportunity to address community needs at project sites across the city. Interested volunteers need to be available from 7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  A grab-and-go breakfast, transportation and lunch will be available. Click here to register and for additional details.

Email Daniel-Grzesik@utc.edu, the director of Leadership Development and Programs, if you have any questions about getting involved with this volunteer service initiative.

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From Sept. 20-22, Mocs Recovery will be taking students to YMCA Camp Cosby in Alpine, Alabama, to join collegiate recovery programs from across the southeast. We will enjoy a weekend making new friends, canoeing, paddle boarding, rock climbing and engaging in recovery peer support spaces. All meals, travel and lodging are provided.

The retreat is open to currently enrolled students who identify as in recovery related to substance use. Interested participants should contact megan-mcknight@utc.edu.

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Explore amazing opportunities from employers seeking talented students just like you. The fall 2024 Job and Internship fair—from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the University Center—is a chance to show your skills, talk about your talents and take in the possibilities.

• Interested in an internship? Employers will be ready to tell you about great opportunities to give you valuable experiences in a field you are interested in.
• Looking for a job? There are organizations in our region that are eager to meet you and discuss current and future ways you can work with them.
• Just looking to browse? Not only are these employers excited to meet you, they are excited to share with you about their impact in the community and how you can be a part of it.

For assistance, contact Career Connections at 423-425-4184 or via email at career@utc.edu. Career Connections is located in the University Center, Chattanooga Room C.

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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 UC 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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Join Donuts with the Dean, a meet and greet with the Graduate School, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Oct. 4 and 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.

Campus Updates

The Institute of Contemporary Art, housed in the UTC Fine Arts Center, has opened its fall exhibition—”Groanings Which Cannot Be Uttered” by Reginald Sylvester II. The exhibition is on view through Nov. 9.

ICA’s new fall hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 12-6 p.m.; and Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Free campus parking is available after 5 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.

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The Read to Achieve Steering Committee is seeking volunteers for its Selection Committee for 2025-2026 text.

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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Preparations for the University Center renovation are well underway. The Chattanooga Rooms have been converted into surge space; the Foundation Room has been emptied and is offline permanently; and the Game Room has been moved to its temporary location in the Blue and Gold section of the Commons. There have also been some temporary departmental moves that you should be aware of:

• Mocs One Center – Chattanooga A
• Career Connections – Chattanooga C
• Mocs Recovery Program – UC 350 (Center for Wellbeing)
• Veteran and Military Affairs – Hooper 102
• Office of the University Registrar – Library 4th Floor

Construction is scheduled to begin on the west side of the building (1st floor and Upper Gallery areas).

As always, we encourage everyone to reserve their space for the fall semester early. Reservations for spring 2025 events and meetings will open on Monday, Sept. 30.

UTC Newsroom

Tim Gritten, the new dean of the UTC Library, sat down to answer a few questions about his transition to UTC and his plans for the library.

Drop by the library’s first floor checkout desk to pick up a free keepsake button featuring “epistemic humility,” an intellectual virtue that Gritten highly values.

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MPH Program Director Amir Alakaam gives remarks at the accreditation ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

The UTC Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition and Dietetics was granted full accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. The achievement was recognized with an accreditation ceremony last week in the University Center Chickamauga Room.

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UTC Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Vicki Farnsworth discussed the podcast with host Daniel Duggin. Photo by Taryn Brooks.

More than 80 people—students, faculty, staff and visitors—turned out to celebrate the launch of a student-led podcast from the UTC Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Also known as “Chattanooga’s Artificial Intelligence,” the CH-AI team hosted the Thursday, Aug. 29, launch party for “CH-AI Brews: Infusing Conversations About AI” in the Guerry Center.

WUTC

Dr. Mina Sartipi, executive director of UTC’s Research Institute and founding director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress, discussed the future of urban transportation and its connection to Chattanooga in an episode of WUTC-FM 88.1’s “Scenic Roots.”