Updates and news for the week of September 5 – 11, 2023

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 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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Mocs Flock Finley this Saturday night

First-year UTC students, Student Success Programs is partnering with the Chancellor’s Office for Mocs Flock Finley this Saturday (Sept. 9)—an annual tradition welcoming freshmen to our Mocs football team. 

Before the first home football game every season, freshman students are the guests of honor for food, fun and pregame tailgating before they get to run across the Finley Stadium field prior to kickoff. All participants receive UTC freebies and are entered to win a grand prize. Tailgating begins at 3 p.m., and students should line up to run the field starting at 5 p.m.

• UTC students can ride the Mocs Express Shuttle, provided by CARTA, to and from all home football games for free when showing a valid UTC ID. The Mocs Express Shuttle begins traveling to Finley Stadium one hour before kickoff and runs throughout the game. Shuttle stops on campus can be found here.
• Students wanting to tailgate and ensure they’re at Finley in time for the flock should secure their own transportation.
• Registration isn’t necessary; just show up to run. Kickoff for the Mocs/Kennesaw State game is 6 p.m.

Mocs Students, Staff and Faculty: Prepare to Stay healthy this fall

COVID and flu cases are increasing on campus, and reminder messages will be sent periodically so information is fresh on everyone’s mind.

• Please watch for the announcement for the Flu Clinic, sponsored by Walgreens, in mid-September. It will be free to everyone, but if you have insurance, please bring your card; those without health insurance will still be able to get this vaccine free. Family members can receive the flu vaccine during this clinic, too.
• We will let you know as soon as the new COVID booster has received approval from the FDA.

University Health Services has identified a few simple steps all of us can take to help avoid contracting or transmitting COVID-19. Click here to learn more.

RSVP for the Chancellor’s State of the University Address

On Friday, Sept. 15, Chancellor Angle will present the annual State of the University address. The address begins at noon in the University Center Auditorium.

Please click here to RSVP.  You can also watch the State of the University via Livestream.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. At UTC, this is a time to shine a light on suicide, eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health, learn prevention strategies, increase knowledge of resources and support the well-being of our fellow Mocs. Our community is encouraged to find time this month to take part in this effort. Suicide prevention takes all of us.

All event information can be found in MocSync. If your department or group is interested in scheduling an individual suicide prevention training, please reach out to megan-mcknight@utc.edu. It is OK to ask for help!

On-Campus Resources:

• 24/7 CARE Line: 423-425-CARE (2273)
• Counseling Center: 423-425-4438 (University Center Suite 338)
• Student Outreach & Support: 423-425-2299 (University Center Suite 399)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text TN to 741741
• TN Statewide Crisis Line: 1-855-CRISIS-1

The outstanding people of UTC

From left: Ruby Jordan, Chelsie Ewing, Leslie Tyler, Chancellor Steve Angle, Shuntika Cox and Steve Jackson (not pictured: Eddrick Brooks)

At a luncheon last Tuesday in the University Center, Chancellor Angle recognized the Chancellor’s Blue Ribbon Award recipients for the first half of 2023—Eddrick Brooks (Campus Recreation), Ruby Jordan (Facilities, Planning and Management), Steven Jackson (Facilities, Planning and Management), Leslie Tyler (Health and Human Performance), Shuntika Cox (Facilities, Planning and Management) and Chelsie Ewing (Facilities, Planning and Management).

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From left: Kendrick Cox, Destini Givens, Emmanuella Ingabire (photos courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee)

Three UTC seniors, psychology major Destini Givens and nursing majors Emmanuella Ingabire and Kendrick Cox, are among six statewide recipients of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation BlueCross Power of We Scholarships.

Click here to watch the official BCBS announcement video.

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The following faculty members below have been recognized for excellence with professorships unique to UTC:

Alexander and Charlotte Guerry Professorships

• Dr. Donald Reising–Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
• Dr. Dalei Wu–Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering

UC Foundation Professorships

• Dr. Chris Acuff–Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Service
• Dr. Julia Cummiskey–Assistant Professor, Department of History
• Dr. Vahid Disfani–Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering
• Dr. Kevin Doyle–Associate Professor, School of Professional Studies – Division of Counselor Education
• Dr. Nilesh Sah–Associate Professor, Department of Finance and Economics
• Dr. Morgan Smith–Associate Professor, Department of Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies

You’re invited to make a house call

The Office of Housing and Residence Life is looking to kick off the year with its House Calls  initiative.

With House Calls, we are looking for dedicated staff and faculty volunteers to help us go door-to-door to check in on our students for the first six weeks of the school year. The goal is to help residents engage with campus leaders, faculty and staff by connecting them to the UTC community.

House Calls will take place from noon-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13—including training and lunch from noon-1 p.m.

Please use this signup link to register and participate in this exciting event welcoming our Mocs students to campus.

Mark your calendar

Jeremy Huw Williams (pictured), a Welsh baritone opera singer who also is known for his work in contemporary classical music, will perform at the Cadek Recital Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The free concert, open to the public, will take place at 7:30 p.m.—and seating is limited.

Williams’ time at UTC will also include conducting a masterclass for voice students, visiting Dr. Jonathan McNair’s music composition classes and performing for Dr. Aaron Shaheen’s Modern American Literature course.

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The Office of Research and Special Projects is accepting Notices of Intent for two limited submission programs—the National Endowment for the Arts’ Grants for Arts Projects and the National Science Foundation’s AI Research Institutes. The submission deadline for both programs is Friday (Sept. 8). Click here to learn more.

More information about InfoReady Review, including help guides, is available on ORSP’s webpage. Direct questions about InfoReady Review to ashley-ledford@utc.edu.

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The UTC club baseball team is holding tryouts at 6 p.m. today (Sept. 5) and Thursday (Sept. 7). Tryouts will be held both days at East Ridge High School (4320 Bennett Road in East Ridge). The team has a few openings to fill before fall games start in a few weeks. If you cannot get your equipment before tryouts, the team can provide whatever you need to show off your skills.

Follow the team on Twitter (@UTCBaseball) or Instagram (@utcbaseball) for updates or DM to ask any questions.

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Do you have an innovative piece of technology and a desire to commercialize the solution? Join the NSF Innovation Corps Program to develop a customer-focused business model that supports technology transfer and business startup.

From 1-1:45 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 6), Rob Coleman, UT Knoxville’s director of Entrepreneurship and New Ventures, is offering a webinar explaining the regional I-Corps program. Click here for more information; for a downloadable PDF, click here.

If you are interested in attending, email jennifer-skjellum@utc.edu for a calendar invite.

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Mark your calendar for the UTC Grad Fair from 2-5 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 7) in the University Center Chattanooga Room. Click here to register to attend.

• Explore Programs: Discover your path with UTC’s advanced degrees.
• Meet Experts: Connect with faculty and staff who are ready to answer questions.
• Get Answers: Clarify thoughts around admissions and careers.
• Who’s Invited?: Everyone is invited, from freshmen to staff. If you’ve ever thought about an advanced degree, this event is for you.
• Free Food: Network, learn and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

Registrants who visit the Grad Fair will receive an application fee waiver code to use when applying to the Graduate School.

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In Spring 2024, UTC will launch a new program, Data Analytics With Alteryx—presented by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the UTC Center for Professional Education.

Learn more about the data analytics platform being used at companies like Ford and Amazon—that requires no coding—at the Alteryx Info Session from noon-1 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 8). Register here for the info session.

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Join Ethan Carver, associate dean of the UTC Graduate School, for an online workshop from 3-4:30 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 8) to review UTC’s Standards of Thesis and Dissertation formatting. 

This live, interactive workshop offers opportunities to find answers to your questions while learning in a group format. No registration is required; just click here to join via Zoom.

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The Department of Chemistry and Physics kicks off its fall seminar series from 3-4 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 8) with a visit from Dr. Deborah C. Bebout, professor and associate chair of chemistry at the College of William and Mary. The title of the seminar is “Metallothionein-Inspired Coordination Chemistry.” To participate, click on the Zoom link (password: 4234709).

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Remote Area Medical, a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care to those in need, will hold a free, two-day clinic Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 9-10) at the Camp Jordan Arena (323 Camp Jordan Parkway in East Ridge). RAM provides these services to any person that requests them, regardless of their past, legal situation, or financial means, and services are offered by volunteers from around the region—including UTC representation from the Social Work, Music Therapy, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Nurse Practitioner and Master of Public Health programs.

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Brighten your day at the Center for Wellbeing open house event, taking place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 11) in University Center Suite 350. Come meet new staff and interns, tour the Center and learn about our resources. Guests will be met with hors d’oeuvres, plants, prizes, community dialogues and games like “Staff Guess Who” and “Wellbeing Pictionary.”

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Faculty and staff, encourage your students to invest in their potential by participating in Moc LEAD—a 10-week certificate program that helps them prepare for their next steps as leaders in their organizations, their communities, their internships and their future careers. Active participants can expect to explore leadership in a fun way, discover their “why” and communication style, connect with a network of resources and achieve their goals. There will be plenty of free food and giveaways along the way. Students will also have the opportunity to earn a scholarship reward. Applications close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

• Sessions take place on Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. from Sept. 14 through Nov. 16.
• More information, including academic and retention data and the application, can be found at www.utc.edu/moclead. Please pass this link on to students.

Email Daniel-Grzesik@utc.edu, the director of Leadership Development and Programs, if you have any questions or if you are interested in getting involved as a faculty/staff member.

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The Mocs Recovery Program is seeking applicants for Advisory Board Members.

The mission of the Mocs Recovery program is to provide a recovery-minded community in which UTC students in all phases of recovery can pursue their personal, professional, and academic goals for the purpose of enhancing personal wellness and contributions to the global community. CRP staff collaborate with UTC professionals to support a continuum of care model (prevention, treatment, and recovery) for substance use disorders. Responsibilities for this position include:

• Aid in the development of research and program evaluation of the Mocs Recovery program
• Identifying potential funding sources and writing grants to aid in the support of the Mocs Recovery program
• Assist in the development and review of policies and procedures related to the Mocs Recovery program
• Attend quarterly meetings to discuss the Mocs Recovery program
• Advocacy initiatives related to promoting recovery on the UTC campus

If you are interested in serving, please reach out to Advisory Board Chair Tyler Oberheim (steven-oberheim@utc.edu) by Sept. 15.

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“The First Amendment, the Academy, and the Media: Restoring a Marketplace of Ideas,” is the topic of the 13th Annual Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture Series, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, in the University Center Tennessee Room. The lecture series is presented by the UTC Center for Reflective Citizenship and co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee Institute of American Civics, the UTC Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise, the UTC College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, and the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles.

The featured speaker is Joshua Dunn, the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee Baker School for Public Policy and Public Affairs, with UTC Masengill Professor of Communication John B. “Jack” Zibluk as a symposium respondent. For more information, contact the Center for Reflective Citizenship at crc@utc.edu or call 423-425-5603. | Livestream Link | Calendar Info

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Philosophy and Religion will be hosting a series of events on campus this fall. Click on the following UTC Events Calendar links for more information:

• Thursday, Sept. 14: The Case for Ethics in Healthcare, Lupton Hall Room 114, 3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 5: Antisemitism in the Southeast, University Center Auditorium, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 26: Doctors’ Panel on Healthcare Equity, Access and Patient Choice, Lupton Hall Room 114, 4 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 10: Evangelical Worship: An American Mosaic, The Camphouse (806 E. 12th St.), 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 16: Post-Halloween Philosophical Horror Film Festival, University Center Auditorium, 5 p.m.

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Exempt employees (and/or non-exempt employees with supervisory responsibilities) of any UT campus are welcome to register for the inaugural BEST Man Forum to be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the UT Conference Center in Knoxville. The forum will be based on the book “Of Boys and Men” with keynote remarks from the author, Richard Reeves. The one-day event will include facilitated small-group sessions based on chapters of the book, an executive leadership panel, extensive networking and a vendor session.

The UTC Division of Diversity and Engagement is sponsoring transportation to this event for UTC employees, leaving campus at 6:30 a.m. and returning at 6 p.m. the same day.

• Learn more about the conference and register here.
• Resources may be available through UTC’s Career Development Fund to help defray the cost of this event for non-exempt employees. Visit that website to see if you’re eligible for financial assistance.

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Meet-up for Researchers is an opportunity to share research interests and projects with other faculty, staff and graduate students and learn more about research and innovation happening at UTC. 

The next event takes place from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Mapp Building Room 212). At this month’s meeting, Dr. Kusum Rathore, vice president of the UT Research Foundation-Multi Campus Office (MCO), will lead a discussion about working with the UTRF. Contact jennifer-skjellum@utc.edu with questions. Click here to register.

Notice of Final Defense: Upcoming Research Presentation

The UTC Graduate School announced that the following student will be presenting final works of research as an advanced degree candidate. Everyone is invited to attend.

• Monday, Sept. 11: Saeed Ataollahi will present doctoral research titled, “Developing a New Interatomic Potential and Atomistic Study of NiTiHf,” ECS Maytag Room 426 or via Zoom, 9:30 a.m. | Calendar Info

Students, staff and faculty: Half-Price Tennessee Aquarium tickets during College Days

Photo credit: Tennessee Aquarium

UTC students, staff and faculty can enjoy a 50% discount on Tennessee Aquarium admission during the bi-annual College Days celebration. The discount is available Sunday-Friday from Sept. 10 to Sept. 29.

The discount applies not only to the 120,000 square feet of animal-filled galleries in the Aquarium’s River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings but also to tickets for 45-minute film screenings at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater. The savings apply to tickets for every person in the eligible individual’s party.

With this special discount, admission to the Aquarium will be $20 for adults (regularly $39.95) and $15 for ages 5-17 (regularly $29.95). Discounted IMAX 3D tickets will be $5 for all ages. Click here to learn more about College Days—and don’t forget to bring your ID.

Tennessee Legislative Internship Program Applications due Oct. 2

Juniors and seniors are invited to apply for the spring 2024 Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, an outstanding opportunity for students interested in learning about law, legislative processes and state government. Interns are paid $400 per week to help manage committees, conduct bill research and assist with constituent relations.

All interested students (including freshmen and sophomores who are thinking ahead) are invited to meet with the program’s director from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, in the University Center Lobby.

Click here for forms and application instructions. Application materials are due by noon on Monday, Oct. 2. Contact Christopher-Horne@utc.edu for more information.

UTC Volunteers Needed for Sept. 22 Community Service Initiative

UTC is participating in the United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s city-wide “Day of Caring” community service initiative on Friday, Sept. 22.

The Office of Housing and Residence Life has reserved select spots across three locations (Brown Middle School, Hixson Middle School and Chattanooga Zoo) where your volunteer hands are needed for beautification efforts such as painting, moving debris and hanging up items. Interested students, faculty and staff will be able to indicate a preferred volunteer site. Register here.

• Volunteers need to be available during the morning of Sept. 22 and should wear closed-toe shoes.
• A grab-n-go breakfast, transportation, T-shirt and lunch will be provided.

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

Seeking Student Representatives

A message to students from the Office of the Dean of Students:

The University is seeking applications for student representatives on numerous Faculty Senate and University Committees.

Faculty Senate and University Committees help develop, review and make decisions or recommendations regarding University functions and operations. Serving on a committee ensures that students have a voice in the University’s decision-making process. Responsibilities and requirements include:

• Prepare for, attend and contribute to in-person and/or virtual committee meetings
• Read and reply to committee emails
• Be enrolled full-time, have completed at least 30-semester hours of undergraduate education and earned at least 2.5 GPA
• Report relevant committee business to the Student Government Association (SGA) and/or Graduate Student Association (GSA).

Click here to view committee names, descriptions and current openings. If you are interested in serving, click here to complete a brief application. If you have questions, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@utc.edu or 423-425-4761.

Campus Updates

The student organization re-registration process for the 2023-2024 academic year is now open. All UTC student organizations are required to complete re-registration annually to maintain active status and campus privileges.

Re-registration eligibility, steps, deadlines and resources can be found here. Contact Laura-Petrus@utc.edu with any questions.

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The Read to Achieve steering committee is seeking volunteers for its selection committee for 2024-2025 text. 

To learn more, click here. If you are interested in this opportunity or have questions, contact jenn-stewart@utc.edu.

The selection committee reviews and selects from suggestions submitted to this link. Please consider suggesting a text for the committee to consider.

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Do you feel like you need direction returning from an injury or getting back into a workout routine? Do you have a running injury? Is your back or neck sore from “study posture?” Make an appointment for physical therapy.

The Pro Bono Physical Therapy clinic, a part of University Health Services, offers free physical therapy to UTC students, faculty and staff. Clinic hours are 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays. Call University Health Services at 423-425-2266 to schedule an appointment, or email ptclinic@utc.edu for more information.

Looking ahead:

Senior edge Jay Person (photo courtesy of Austin Pantaleo/GoMocs.com)

This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:

• Wednesday (Sept. 6): Volleyball vs. Austin Peay University, Maclellan Gym, 6 p.m.
• Saturday (Sept. 9): Football vs. Kennesaw State University, Finley Stadium, 6 p.m.
• Sunday (Sept. 10): Soccer vs. Belmont University, Finley Stadium, 2 p.m.

Looking back

Lizzie the therapy dog recently paid a visit to the UTC Library to mingle with UTC students.

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

• Gillian Morton, a Brock Scholar in the Honors College majoring in pre-health professional exercise and health science with minors in biology and chemistry, was one of five UTC undergraduates to attend this summer’s HBCU Wellness Project at Meharry Medical College in Nashville.
• This summer, geology professors Jon Mies and Amy Brock-Hon accompanied 12 UTC students to Scotland—considered the birthplace of modern geology.
• Dr. Stephanie Philipp, UTC assistant professor of education and interim director of the STEM Education Program, recently hosted 45 Hamilton County teachers—approximately half of whom are UTC graduates. Philipp’s half-day cohort was funded as part of a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
• For her first three years at UTC, Billee Lassiter was a biochemistry major. Her goal was a career as a gynecologist. In May 2022, she made a hard left turn into a degree that’s a far cry from medicine—marketing.
• Casey Edwards, a 2012 UTC alum with a bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition, now composes music for video games.
• Twelve Chattanooga residents, ranging in age from their 70s to 98 years old, agreed to have their life memories—good and bad—transformed into dramatic monologues for “Unmasking: Elders Speak.” The production is helmed by Dr. Peggy Douglas, adjunct professor of economics, and Dr. Anne Swedberg, associate professor of theatre.

Tales from the UTC PodLab

Charlie Reed and Norman Inch

“Tennessee Valley Across the Table” is a student-led podcast that brings locals, often strangers with different views, together to learn who we are as people. It is inspired by StoryCorps’ One Small Step program.

In 2022, community members came to the UTC PodLab and opened their lives with stories about their families, their politics and their hopes for the future. This year, UTC Honors students, under the direction of Will Davis, studied the recordings and chose the material that most resonated with them. This episode by UTC psychology student Marissa Lott features a conversation between Charlie Reed and Norman Inch.

You can subscribe to “Tennessee Valley Across the Table” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

WUTC Spotlight: Scenic Roots

NoonTunes artwork courtesy of River City Company

The NoonTunes concert series will take place at noon on Fridays beginning this Friday (Sept. 8), and continues through Oct. 27. The weekly concert will take place on Broad Stret in the Riverfront District, with a new mini-street festival for each concert.

On a recent segment of Scenic Roots on WUTC-FM 88.1, River City Company’s Marcus Ellsworth and Dawn Hjelseth talked about the series.