September 2-8, 2025

Updates and news for the week of September 2-8, 2025

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 Schultz (peyton-l-schultz@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

Emergency preparedness: What you need to know to stay safe

When an emergency strikes, knowing how to respond can save lives.

UTC Public Safety offers Community Safety Training throughout the year to educate and prepare members of the campus community on how to stay safe during emergencies.

• Visit the Community Safety Training webpage for more information.
• Request training for your department at utc.edu/dps-register or email dps@utc.edu.

The Faculty Emergency Response Guide, first distributed in 2023, is available in PDF format by clicking here. Updates will be distributed in the coming weeks.

• A concise, quick-response guide is being attached to classroom podiums for easy access and review.
• Classroom Emergency Response Posters are being installed near the doors of every classroom and office suite on campus.

The Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide outlines steps to take in the event of fire, medical emergencies, severe weather, laboratory accidents, chemical incidents, bomb threats and armed intruder situations. Key reminders include:

• Always evacuate the building during a fire alarm and wait for clearance before re-entering.
• Call the UTC Police Department (423-425-4357) in an emergency, or dial 911.
• Seek shelter on lower floors and interior rooms during tornado warnings.
• Hide. Fight. if faced with an armed intruder.
• Plan ahead by reviewing exits, Blue Phones and evacuation routes in your building.

Click here to learn more about safety protocols and resources available to the campus community.

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House Calls, an annual Housing and Residence Life initiative launched in 2008, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The program connects faculty and staff with first-year students during the critical early weeks of the semester, fostering engagement, active learning and meaningful connections outside the classroom.

The evening will begin with a brief orientation and dinner for volunteers at 5 p.m. on the first floor of Lupton Hall. From 6-8 p.m., faculty and staff participants will join resident assistants and resident directors in visiting first-year residential communities to talk with students about their UTC experience so far.

Faculty and staff interested in volunteering should sign up using this link by noon on Friday, Sept. 5. Questions can be directed to housing@utc.edu.

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Mark your calendars for Mocs Give Day

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. 7 and encourage others to donate as well. Visit mocsgiveday.utc.edu to learn more.

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Grammy-Winning Jazz Pianist Alan Broadbent to Perform Benefit Concert at UTC

Alan Broadbent (photo courtesy of Alan Broadbent/Savant Records)

Two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist, arranger and composer Alan Broadbent will perform a solo piano concert Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting WUTC-FM 88.1.

The concert was made possible by a gift from Ken and Nancy Dryden.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance can be purchased online at utc.edu/arts-and-sciences/fine-arts-center and through the UTC Fine Arts Center Box Office—in person or by phone at 423-425-4269. VIP seating in the lower center sections is $35, all other adult tickets are $25, and student tickets are $15 with a valid student ID.

Outstanding People of UTC

Dr. Katelyn Hancock and Kaitlin Brown

This summer, UTC Assistant Professor Katelyn Hancock and graduate student Kaitlin Brown volunteered at Camp HOPE America Chattanooga. Operated by Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Camp HOPE typically serves children and teens ages 7 to 17, though exceptions are made for younger children and returning teens in leadership roles.

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Dr. Rahul Bhosale

UTC Guerry Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Rahul R. Bhosale has been named a Highly Ranked Scholar by ScholarGPS, which recognizes the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Service Jeremy Strickler discussed gerrymandering on an episode of Jed & JR Mornings.
• Public Information Officer Brett Fuchs spoke to The Washington Post and Local 3 News about the Aug. 21 incident.
• UC Foundation Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance Liz Hathaway talked about wearable health tracking devices on an episode of Jed & JR Mornings.
• School of Nursing Director Chris Smith joined an episode of Jed & JR Mornings to discuss ticks.

Mark Your Calendar

Kynli Kirkendoll (photo courtesy gomocs.com)

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar: 

• Friday, Sept. 5: Volleyball vs. Ohio (Chattanooga Classic), McKenzie Arena, noon 
• Friday, Sept. 5: Volleyball vs. Alabama (Chattanooga Classic), McKenzie Arena, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Volleyball vs. Jacksonville State (Chattanooga Classic), McKenzie Arena, 6 p.m. 
• Sunday, Sept. 7: Soccer vs. North Alabama, Finley Stadium, 6 p.m. 

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The Decosimo Success Center is hosting several bridge luncheons and events for accounting majors, including: 

• Wednesday, Sept. 3: HHM Bridge Luncheon, noon-1 p.m., Fletcher Hall 214, open to all accounting majors, registration required 
• Friday, Sept. 5: HHM Something Social, 3-5 p.m., HHM, 1181 King St., open to all accounting majors, registration required 
• Monday, Sept. 8: Mauldin & Jenkins Bridge Luncheon, noon-1 p.m., Fletcher Hall 214, open to all accounting majors, whether currently enrolled in intermediate accounting or planning to take it next semester, registration required 
• Thursday, Sept. 11: Elliott Davis Tour, 4-6 p.m., Elliott Davis, 555 Walnut St., open to all accounting majors, contact Joanie Sompayrac for more information. 

The following tabling events will take place from 9 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business: 

• Today (Sept. 2): Tivoli Chattanooga 
• Wednesday, Sept. 3: KCH 
• Thursday, Sept. 4: Covenant Logistics 
• Monday, Sept. 8: Recreational Group 
• Tuesday, Sept. 9: Nichols Cauley 
• Thursday, Sept. 11: JHM CPA 
• Monday, Sept. 15: LBMC  

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In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Center for Wellbeing will host a student drop-in “Naloxone 101” event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Sept. 2) in the Lupton Hall lobby. 

Naloxone (Narcan) is a lifesaving medication that reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of opioids and restoring breathing. It is safe, effective and easy to use.

UTC has expanded opioid overdose prevention and response efforts to support the health and safety of the campus community:

• ONEboxes—emergency response kits stocked with naloxone and an instructional video—have been installed in all residence halls.
• Six additional ONEboxes are scheduled for installation in high-traffic areas.
• Free harm reduction supplies—including naloxone and fentanyl test strips—are available at the Center for Wellbeing (UC 350).

To request supplies or a customized training, email Kat James.

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Scrappy’s Cupboard Food Pantry is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday despite the construction in the UC. UTC community members can use the food pantry once a month, no questions asked. Volunteers and donations are needed to help the pantry thrive.

Scrappy’s Markets are back this semester and will continue through the fall. The next market will be from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, on Vine Street.

Here is the upcoming Scrappy’s Market schedule:

• Wednesday, Sept. 3: 2-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 16: 2-4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 1: 2-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 21: 2-4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 5: 2-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 18: 2-4 p.m.

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The Center for Wellbeing offers a monthly lineup of trainings for faculty and staff. If interested, please sign up here. Trainings counting toward completion of the Mental Health Ally Program are noted with an asterisk (*).

The Center is happy to schedule trainings for specific teams or departments at other times throughout the year. Reach out to Megan McKnight with questions or to request a training.

• Thursday, Sept. 4: Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone, University Center Room 350, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 12: Sleep Matters: Improving Sleep Among Employees and Students (Zoom), noon-1 p.m.
• *Wednesday, Sept. 24: Suicide Prevention Using Question, Persuade, Refer and the C-SSRS, Library Room 209, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• *Tuesday, Sept. 30: Psychological First Aid (Zoom), noon-1 p.m.

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For the first time in school history, Chattanooga volleyball will host matches in McKenzie Arena during the 2025 Chattanooga Classic, taking place Sept. 4-6. The tournament features seven matches, with the Mocs welcoming Alabama, Cincinnati, Ohio and Jacksonville State. Admission is free, and all UTC matches will stream on ESPN+.

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A world-renowned expert on how historic preservation impacts local economies, Donovan Rypkema, will deliver the keynote address at the Chattanooga Preservation Awards on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Rypkema is president of Heritage Strategies International and principal of PlaceEconomics, with projects spanning 49 states and nearly 60 countries. He teaches preservation economics at the University of Pennsylvania and is the author of “The Economics of Historic Preservation.”

The event is free and open to UTC students and the public, but registration is required.

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Chattanooga Connect 2025, hosted by the UTC Research Institute, will take place Oct. 6-8 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Following its successful debut last year, Chattanooga Connect will again convene industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to explore the future of urban transportation and cutting-edge advancements in quantum computing, digital infrastructure, AI, connected and automated vehicles (CAV), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies.

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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, Sept. 11: Willard Jackson, Zoom, 1:30 p.m., Calendar
• Monday, Sept. 15: Men Hsiu Tsai, Zoom, 12:30 p.m., Calendar

Campus Updates

As the fall semester settles in, it’s a great time to refresh your routine and focus on self-care. Ease the transition by:

• Setting a consistent sleep schedule
• Finding nourishing foods that keep you energized
• Carving out time for movement—whether that’s hitting the gym or just walking to class
• Create study routines that include friends and breaks to keep you focused
• Prioritize attending classes
• Find the note-taking and learning style that best helps you retain information

Don’t forget to make space for things that bring you joy, like journaling, hobbies, time with friends or attending fun events on campus. A balanced routine sets the tone for a strong, healthy semester ahead.

For additional health and wellness resources, reach out to the Center for Wellbeing, Mocs Recovery, the Counseling Center and the ARC—and stay connected with your classmates and professors to have the best semester possible.

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In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)), UTC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR).

The ASFSR contains information regarding campus safety and security including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Campus law enforcement authority
• Crime reporting policies
• Campus alerts (e.g., Timely Warnings, Emergency Notifications)
• Fire safety policies and procedures
• Programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking
• The procedures the University will follow when these crimes are reported

The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in on-campus student housing facilities, in non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

Click here for the current version of The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

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The R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Program is a national self-defense course that focuses on awareness, prevention, risk reduction and realistic hands-on training. Classes are taught by certified UTC Police and Public Safety instructors.

• Free for students, faculty and staff
• No experience necessary
• Emphasis on safety and empowerment
• Offered multiple times throughout the year

Click here or email Marion Perkins to register or learn more.

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The Center for Professional Education is launching a new course this fall to help working professionals learn how to use artificial intelligence effectively, responsibly and with confidence. “AI Essentials for Business Applications” is a six-part, 24-hour virtual course running from Tuesday, Oct. 7, to Tuesday, Nov. 11. The instructor-led sessions will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons.

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Please help the UTC Library choose future seating options. Your preferences are a primary consideration for purchase decisions.

Stop by the furniture gallery showcase located in the Library Administration Office Room 208 to test out various seating options and share your recommendations about which options you’d like the Library to buy. You’re welcome to drop by the gallery showcase any time the Library’s second floor is open and use the provided QR codes to share your purchase recommendations.

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The Center for Academic Support and Advisement offers peer-to-peer academic support at no cost to currently enrolled UTC students. All programs are internationally certified by CRLA and/or ICSI.

• Peer academic coaching: Students can schedule an appointment with a peer academic coach to improve skills such as study habits, motivation, goal setting, time management, organization, navigating Canvas and using campus resources.
• Supplemental instruction: The SI Program provides group study sessions twice a week for selected courses. SI leaders review challenging course content in interactive ways that build understanding through games, practice materials, discussions, simulations and study skill activities.
• Tutoring: Free tutoring is available for a variety of courses, with NetTutor and walk-in options offered. Tutoring provides a personalized learning experience, encourages better study habits and enhances critical thinking skills.

For more information, email Academic Support or stop by Library Room 335.

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Undergraduate Admissions announced its Power C Tour and other important dates for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Sept. 17: Power C Tour Nashville/Franklin
• Oct. 2: Power C Tour Memphis
• Nov. 4: Power C Tour Knoxville
• Nov. 12: Power C Tour Chattanooga
• Nov. 15: Blue and Gold Preview
• Feb. 27: Accepted Student Day
• March 25: Power C Tour transfer at ChattState
• April 11: Blue and Gold Preview Spring Edition

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Are you in need of physical therapy services? The Department of Physical Therapy offers short-term care for students, faculty and staff for free. The on-campus clinic is led by PT faculty and doctoral students during the fall and spring semesters. If you are experiencing functional limitations, pain, lingering injuries, recent injuries, or would like guidance to improve overall fitness, they are happy to evaluate you.

The clinic is located in University Health Services in Maclellan Gym (545 Terrell Owens Way). Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays.

To schedule an appointment, call University Health Services at 423-425-2266. For additional information, email ptclinic@utc.edu.

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Do you know a young Mocs fan? Now is their chance to join our team and get in on all the fun-filled action that Mocs Athletics has to offer. Scrappy’s Kids Club is the official kids club of Chattanooga Athletics and membership is open to all kids in eighth grade and under, for only $20.

Memberships include an official membership pack with tons of Mocs swag, free tickets to select home athletic events, exclusive events and opportunities, monthly emailed newsletters and so much more. Click here to learn more.

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The Center for Wellbeing launched its Mental Health Ally training program for faculty and staff to recognize employees on campus who are engaging and learning how to best support our students’ mental health. Trainings included in the Mental Health Ally program are QPR (one hour), Suicide Prevention Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (one hour), Psychological First Aid (one hour) and Mental Health First Aid (eight hours). Complete trainings and receive recognition on campus for your dedication to improving outcomes for students.

Recognition tiers:

• Certificate of completion: Every training
• Mental health ally sticker to display: Complete QPR, Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, and Psychological First Aid
• Mental health ally sweatshirt: Complete Mental Health First Aid
• Mental health ally recognition on Center for Wellbeing website and Campus Newsletter: Complete all four trainings

If you have questions about this program, please reach out to Amy Kyriakidis or Megan McKnight.

UTC Newsroom

Landon Schuster

Senior Landon Schuster is an environmental science major and environmental studies minor from Signal Mountain, Tennessee. He is also an Innovations in Honors student in the UTC Honors College.

Schuster spent his summer at the University of Virginia’s Mountain Lake Biological Station participating in field research on salamanders.

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Faculty and researchers from across the country, including the U.S. Air Force, recently came to UTC for a three-day workshop on quantum security and machine learning.

WUTC

Susan Gregg Gilmore sat down for an interview on WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” about her novel “The Curious Calling of Leonard Bush.”