September 17-23, 2024

Updates and news for the week of September 17-23, 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

Happy 138th Anniversary!

Chancellor Steve Angle delivers State of the University.

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)
• 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.)

The week kicked off with the annual State of the University given by Chancellor Angle, as well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Wolford Family Athletic Center. In case you missed it, here are the links to the State of the University story and the Wolford Center grand opening story.

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Celebrating the People of UTC

Each year, UTC honors staff and faculty who have reached significant service milestones. This year, 242 members of the UTC family will be recognized for reaching important service milestones during the UTC Service Awards Annual Luncheon today (Sept. 17)—one of the highlights of Founder’s Week. The luncheon provides University administrators with a chance to express their appreciation for their employees’ dedicated service.

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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: 

• Saturday, Sept. 21: Hispanic Heritage Festival with La Paz, 12-7 p.m., Highland Park Commons
• 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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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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It’s Free Application Week at UTC

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

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Send in information for the UTC Parent and Family Association newsletter, a monthly roundup distributed to more than 5,400 parents/family members.

To share information with the families of UTC students—upcoming events, important deadlines, helpful suggestions and departmental news—email hannah-turcotte@utc.edu by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The newsletter will be emailed to members Wednesday, Oct. 2.

• Please keep info to one paragraph of 200 (or fewer) words.
• Images or logos to accompany the paragraph may be submitted.
• Click here to see a sample of a recent PFA newsletter.

Outstanding People of UTC

Belinda Lee

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provided its fourth-quarter report for the 2024 fiscal year, including a downloadable PDF: Q4 FY24 Report PDF.

Among those receiving awards during the quarter was Upward Bound Program Director Belinda Lee in the Center for Community Career Education, who received $374,217 from the U.S. Department of Education for the project titled, “University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Upward Bound Program.”

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Guerry Professors (from left) John Swanson, Loren Hayes, Mengjun Xie, Nagwan Zahry, Rahul Bhosale

For over 60 years, UTC has awarded Guerry Professorships to tenured faculty who have distinguished themselves nationally through teaching, research, scholarship and other significant contributions to their respective fields. This year, five new faculty members were welcomed as Guerry Professors:

• Dr. John Swanson, Professor, Department of History
• Dr. Loren Hayes, Professor, Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
• Dr. Mengjun Xie, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
• Dr. Nagwan Zahry, Associate Professor, Department of Communication
• Dr. Rahul Bhosale, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering

Each faculty member holds a Guerry Professorship for five years and receives a $10,000 stipend each academic year to support continuation and expansion of their work.

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Lambda Theta Phi members (from left) Joseph Morales, Alex De La Cruz, Anthony Bracero, Mateo Jimenez and Christopher Bracero. Photo courtesy of Anthony Bracero.

UTC’s first Latino fraternity, Lambda Theta Phi, will be receiving a proclamation presented by the city of Chattanooga’s Department of Equity & Community Engagement at the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Festival hosted by La Paz—a Chattanooga advocacy group for the Latino community.

UTC student Mateo Jimenez oversaw the creation of Lambda Theta Phi at UTC, which officially welcomed its first five members on Feb. 25. Click here to read more about the fraternity’s creation.

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UTC Quantum Center CTO and Assistant Professor of Physics Tian Li (sitting, second from left) and other leaders from Qubitekk, EPB and Oak Ridge National Laboratory gather at the EPB Quantum Network℠ powered by Qubitekk in Chattanooga. Photo courtesy of EPB.

For the first time, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will run equipment developed at its research facilities on a commercially available quantum network at EPB Quantum NetworkSM powered by Qubitekk. Starting this month, ORNL is testing its Automatic Polarization Compensation, a key technology needed to convey quantum data across a network while maintaining all its complexities and probabilities.

UTC is the first American university to host a permanent connection to a commercially available quantum network, is also participating in the effort to validate the technology’s commercial viability.

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Check out these Mocs making news:

• Jennifer Corbin and Caleh Kizer have joined the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs pre-award team as grants specialists. Corbin comes from Clemson University, where she served as a project manager for two USDA-funded projects. Kizer joins UTC from a DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement observatory, where she served as the site operations manager.
• Chancellor Angle spoke to the Times Free Press about UTC welcoming its largest student enrollment in school history.
• UTC is launching a search for a highly accomplished researcher and educator to join its quantum program as a Governor’s Chair scientist with a joint appointment at UTC and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Mark Your Calendar

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. today (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.

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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Actors From The London Stage Present Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” Oct. 25-26 on the Roland Hayes Concert Hall stage.

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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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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From left: Christian J. Collier (photo credit: Ian Riley), Tomás Q. Morín (photo credit: Jeff Fitlow) and Ira Sukrungruang (photo courtesy of buddhistboy.com) will be participating in the upcoming 2024 Meacham Writers’ Workshop.

The 2024 Meacham Writers’ Workshop, a free event open to the public, takes place from Sept. 26-28 at the UTC Library, the University Center and at Stove Works (1250 E. 13th St.). The workshop’s mission is to provide UTC students and underserved community members with greater access to the literary arts.

To learn more about the Meacham Writers’ Workshop, including full event details and signup links, visit utc.edu/arts-and-sciences/english/meachamwriters. Books are available for purchase at most of the events.

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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. 

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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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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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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

September is both Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Recovery Month. As we go through this time, remember how important acts of kindness and support can impact those around you. Reach out to other students, hold space for your friends and remind those in need that they are not alone.

As a campus, we can provide a supportive and inclusive environment where we can all thrive in recovery and resiliency. Let’s shift negative public perception, spread hope to all and be kind to one another—not just this month but in the months that follow. Check out the Center for Wellbeing and Mocs Recovery pages for suicide prevention events and recovery resources happening all month.

Visit the Counseling Center for on-campus support, save the CARE Line (423-425-2273) on your phone for after-hours support or call/text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 at 988. (Instagram: utc_cw)

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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, 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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Show off your Mocs spirit on game days and help cheer on your students to victory. For being a UTC Faculty and Staff member, you get discounts on season tickets.

• Football:

General Admission Tickets = $45 (Discount available only to faculty/staff becoming a first time season ticket buyer.)

•  Men’s Basketball:

100/200 level reserved seat = $130

200 level baseline reserved seat = $105

•  Women’s Basketball:

General admission seat = $80 general admission

Use promo code: MOCSFS online

Click here to purchase or call the UTC Ticket Office at 423-266-6627 Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Please note, football chairback seats and basketball padded reserved require a $100 Mocs Club donation.

Discounts are only available in advance of game day and only on a season ticket basis. No faculty/staff discounts will be offered on the day of the game.

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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.

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Mocs Recovery is a peer-led program open to those who are in recovery, curious about recovery, or have loved ones impacted by substance use and/or mental health. All recovery pathways are respected here.

Due to the start of construction in the University Center, Mocs Recovery has moved to South Campus. The new space is attached to Stacy Town Center (815 University St.). The entrance is through the double doors right off the street in between the picnic tables. 

Fall groups include:

• Healing Through Harmony: Mondays 2-3 p.m.
• All Recovery: Tuesdays 2-3 p.m.
• SMART Recovery: Wednesdays 4-5 p.m.

For more information, including scholarship opportunities and recovery areas, visit this link.

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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 – Stacy Town Center
• Veteran and Military Affairs – Hooper 102
• Office of the University Registrar – Library 4th Floor

Reservations for spring 2025 events and meetings will open on Monday, Sept. 30.

UTC Newsroom

May 2024 graduate Emily Patton has been selected as a National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholar.

For the first time in the history of the UTC Honors College, one of its students has been rewarded in the National Collegiate Honors Council’s (NCHC) annual competition for outstanding undergraduate honors papers.

Emily Patton, a May 2024 graduate and Brock Scholar who earned bachelor’s degrees in environmental science and humanities: international studies, has been selected as one of four 2024 Portz Scholars—one of the most prestigious honors for undergraduate students in honors programs across the country.

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Bill Haslam (left) and Phil Bredesen record their “You Might Be Right” podcast in the UTC Library studio. Photo by Angela Foster.

If you were in the UTC Library on Aug. 22, you may have bumped into two prominent figures—former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam. 

The two visited campus to record an episode of their podcast series, “You Might Be Right,” in the library’s recording studio.

The episode recorded at UTC featured Rachel Kleinfeld, an international relations scholar and senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict and Governance program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who discussed research on the roots and repercussions of polarization in American politics. Click here for the podcast link.

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This summer, a new wave of future global business leaders was guided by the expertise of UTC faculty members who brought their teachings across the Pacific. Dr. David Witt, Dr. Damitha Bandara, Dr. Navid Aghakhani and Dr. John McKinney, all with the Gary W. Rollins College of Business; Dr. Jennifer Goodrich, an engineering management lecturer in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; and former UTC Marketing Lecturer Kennedy Horton traveled in teams of three—over two-week stretches—to teach business classes at Shanghai Normal University’s Tianhua College.

WUTC

Singer, songwriter and UTC alumna Rachel McIntyre Smith joined Richard Winham live on WUTC-FM 88.1 to talk about her new recording, “Honeysuckle Friend.”