September 30-October 6, 2025

Updates and news for the week of September 30-October 6, 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

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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Outstanding People of UTC

xxx Mina Sartipi (pictured) …

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• Make sure person’s name is in BOLDFACE.

Mark Your Calendar

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• DATE: Sport vs. opponent, site, x p.m. SOCCER PLAYS AT FINLEY!!!

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Hosted in partnership with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, UTC will host a campus-wide symposium on the rule of law on Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the Guerry Reading Room.

This all-day event invites members of the campus community to engage with federal district judges, Ochs Professor of Government Michelle Deardorff and Assistant Professor of History Michael Samuel, to explore the role and relevance of the rule of law in a democratic republic.

Attendees may join individual sessions or participate in all five public sessions to earn a certificate and be eligible for prizes demonstrating mastery of the topic.

• Importance and Meaning of Rule of Law: 8-9:15 a.m.
• A Day in the Life with Federal Judges: 9:30-10:45 a.m.
• Invitation-only lunch with students and judges: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Panel of Federal Judges: 12:30-1:45 p.m.
• Media and the Judiciary: 2-3:15 p.m.
• Contemporary Challenges to the Rule of Law: 3:30-4:45 p.m.

For questions or to register for the certificate, contact Michelle Deardorff.

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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.

• *Today (Sept. 30): Psychological First Aid (Zoom), noon-1 p.m.

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Dracula is played by sophomore theatre minor Liam Phillips.

The UTC Theatre Co. will open its 2025-2026 season with “Dracula: Mina’s Quest,” Steven Dietz’s reimagining of Bram Stoker’s novel. Performances will take place nightly at 7:30 p.m. today (Sept. 30) through Saturday, Oct. 4, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Oct. 4.

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Stop by Mocs Marketplace on Wednesday, Oct. 1, in front of Founders Hall to shop student businesses. From handmade goods to services, you’ll find one-of-a-kind items and fresh ideas right from your campus community.

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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, Oct. 1, on Vine Street.

Here is the upcoming Scrappy’s Market schedule:

• 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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Information sessions are taking place for the spring 2026 study abroad course, “Doing Business in The Balkans,” which is open to all UTC students. The course has no prerequisites and includes a two-week international study trip to the Balkans, visiting Italy, Croatia and Albania (tentatively scheduled for May 11-24, 2026). The Balkans course is led by Dr. Beni Asllani, head of data analytics and native of Albania. 

• Thursday, Oct. 2, 2 p.m., Zoom
• Thursday, Oct. 9, 12:30 p.m., Zoom
• Thursday, Oct. 16, 2 p.m., Zoom
• Tuesday, Oct. 21, 12:30 p.m., Zoom
• Tuesday, Oct. 28, 12:30 p.m., Zoom
• Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1:30 p.m., Zoom
• Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m., Zoom
• Thursday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m., Zoom

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Interested in learning more about the Graduate Athletic Training Program? Join us for one of our virtual information sessions during the fall 2025 semester. Each session will be similar in format, featuring a 30-minute program overview followed by a Q&A panel with two to four current students. Sessions will not exceed one hour total. If you’d like to attend, please fill out this form.

Upcoming sessions are 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 6; 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28; and 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

A Zoom link will be sent to you within 24 hours of the session you sign up for. If you are unable to make one of these sessions but would like more information, please email program director Shellie Acocello.

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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 Changemaker Challenge is a business concept pitch competition for UTC students—all majors welcome. If you have an idea for a new venture, sign up to compete. No business plan required. Bring your creativity, passion and vision to solve a real-world problem.

The winner will receive a set of four Totem Compasses, including a rare collector’s edition crystal-faced compass. The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Max Fuller Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Mapp Building).

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Walgreens will be on campus to offer flu vaccine clinics from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in 120 Lupton Hall Commons today (Sept. 23). The flu vaccine clinic will return Oct. 22-24. 

No appointment is needed. Just bring your current insurance and pharmacy benefits card. If you don’t have insurance, free vouchers will be available.

Please click here to visit our website for more information and to complete and print your vaccine consent form. 

COVID-19 boosters will not be available at the clinics. They will be available at the Walgreens at the 110 N. Market St. location in the pharmacy for those who are eligible. Click here to schedule an appointment online for your COVID-19 booster.

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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.

• Today (Sept. 30): Stacie Grisham, Zoom, 10 a.m., Calendar
• Friday (Oct. 3): Julia Jones, Holt Hall 211, 2 p.m., Calendar
• Friday (Oct. 3): Major Schwartz, ECS 313-G, 5 p.m., Calendar
• Tuesday (Oct. 7): Jason Harville, Zoom, 9:30 a.m., Calendar
• Thursday (Oct. 9): Marci Reiter, Zoom, 10 a.m., Calendar
• Friday (Oct. 10): Megan McCoy, MDRB Conference Room, 11 a.m., Calendar

Campus Updates

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Homecoming 2025: Calling All the MOCsters is right around the corner (Oct. 25-Nov. 1). Check out these opportunities to get involved as an individual, student organization or office this year.

• Student Organization Banner Painting: Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, MocSync
• Office and Residence Hall Decorating Competition: Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, MocSync
• Day of Service registration: Closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, MocSync

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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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The Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Entrepreneurship in UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business is excited to announce the third year of Mocs Innovate: The Harris Chair Seed Fund for Innovation. This mini-grant program is designed to foster inventive research and entrepreneurial initiatives on campus. UTC faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $4,000 to support new ideas with commercialization potential.

The Mocs Innovate mini-grant program aims to inspire and support creative projects at all stages of development and is open to any UTC faculty or staff member with innovative ideas that demonstrate clear pathways for licensing or entrepreneurial ventures. By providing up to $4,000 in funding, the Mocs Innovate initiative seeks to accelerate the development of ideas that can have a meaningful impact both within and beyond the University.

Click here to learn more. The deadline to apply for this cycle of grant funding is Dec. 15.

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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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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.

UTC Newsroom

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

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WUTC

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IN Memoriam

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xxx. A full obituary is available here.

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This section is reserved for memorial announcements of current and former UTC employees as the Office of Communications and Marketing becomes aware. To publish an announcement, a publicly available obituary must be provided. Please send any announcements to Vice Chancellor JAy Blackman at jay-blackman@utc.edu.