September 9-15, 2025
Updates and news for the week of September 9-15, 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.
Highlights
UTC announces record fall enrollment
UTC announced a record enrollment figure for fall 2025, reporting an official enrollment of 12,060 students—the largest in school history.
This fall’s headcount includes 10,396 undergraduates and a record 1,664 graduate students, according to the University’s just-recorded official data. The previous high of 11,775 was established in fall 2024.
This fall’s enrollment highlights include:
- An overall enrollment of 12,060, the highest figure in the University’s 139-year history.
- A record 1,664 graduate students, an increase of nearly 6% from last year.
- 613 new graduate students, a 38.7% increase from fall 2024.
- 2,363 first-time, full-time freshmen—the second-highest total in school history.
- 733 new transfer students, up 4.7% from last year.
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Founder’s Week 2025 celebrates 139 years of history
 Exterior of Old Main, circa 1900s. Photo courtesy of the UTC Library. Every September, UTC commemorates its beginning with Founder’s Week—a campuswide celebration of the first day in the University’s history.
This year’s Founder’s Week takes place Sept. 15-19, marking UTC’s 139th anniversary with a calendar of events focused on celebration, reflection and service.
- Monday-Friday: Scrappy’s Cupboard Food Drive, Chancellor’s Office, University Center, UTC Library and Lupton Hall
- Tuesday, Sept. 16: Make and Shake: Airbrush and Coke Floats, Vine Street, noon-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16: Scrappy’s Market, Vine Street, 2-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 17: Coffee with the Chancellor, Wolford Family Athletic Center, 8:15-9:30 a.m.
- Friday, Sept. 19: United Way Day of Caring, 7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Click here to learn more about Founder’s Week.
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Skip the fee during Free App Week
Applying to college can add up quickly, but UTC is offering prospective students a chance to save money during Free Application Week, taking place Sept. 15-20.
During Free App Week, the University will waive its standard $30 undergraduate application fee for all applicants who use the code FREEAPP26 in the UTC application portal at utc.edu/apply.
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Power C Tour to kick off in Nashville
High school students and families in the Nashville area are invited to learn what it means to be a Moc when the UTC Power C Tour stops in Franklin on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
The Power C Tour, taking place from 6-7:30 p.m. CT at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, gives future college students the chance to connect with UTC leaders, faculty, staff and current students. Guests will learn about academic programs, financial aid, housing and campus life—and qualified seniors can even earn admission to UTC on the spot through the University’s “Moc Minute” program.
Here are dates of upcoming Power C Tour events:
- Oct. 2: Power C Tour Memphis
- Nov. 4: Power C Tour Knoxville
- Nov. 12: Power C Tour Chattanooga
- March 25: Power C Tour transfer at ChattState
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Mark your calendars for Mocs Give Day
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 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 challenges across campus, your gift can go further just by giving on Oct. 7.
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
UTC annually celebrates staff and faculty who have reached notable career milestones.
This year, 194 employees will be honored during the UTC Service Awards Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 16, a signature event of Founder’s Week. The luncheon, which will take place at the Wolford Family Athletic Center, offers University leaders an opportunity to recognize the dedication and commitment of longtime members of the UTC community.
Among this year’s honorees are 42 employees who have reached at least 25 years of service with the University. Click here to view this year’s Service Award honorees.
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 Julio Gonzalez, left, Dr. Abdel Karrar, Mark Bowman and Andrew Adams stand with their IEEE Prize Paper award at the recent IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting. A research collaboration between UTC and the Tennessee Valley Authority earned international recognition this summer from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization for advancing technology.
The UTC-TVA research team’s paper—co-authored by Dr. Abdel Karrar, professor of electrical engineering and associate dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science; undergraduate students Andrew Adams and Julio Gonzalez; and Mark Bowman, senior program manager of Power System Analysis at TVA—was selected as one of four Prize Conference Papers (out of more than 1,600 submitted) at the 2025 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Lt. Kenneth Lloyd appeared on Local 3 News to ask for electronic device donations for abuse victims.
- UC Foundation Associate Professor Chris Acuff spoke to the Times Free Press about Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp launching his reelection campaign.
- Vicky B. Gregg Chair of Gerontology and UC Foundation Associate Professor Kristi Wick cautioned older adults about phone scams on Jed & JR Mornings.
- Scott L. Probasaco Jr. Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise Claudia Kramer joined segments of Local 3 News and News 12 Now to discuss Volkswagen’s furloughs of 160 employees.
- School of Professional Studies Director Elizabeth O’Brien talked about Suicide Prevention Month on Jed & JR Mornings.
- The Hamilton County Herald published a piece about Alan Broadbent’s upcoming benefit performance for WUTC at the Fine Art Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall.
- UTAA Distinguised Service Professor Joey Shaw spoke to NewsChannel 9 about fall foliage.
Mark Your Calendar
 Photo courtesy of Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Football vs. Stetson, Finley Stadium, 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 14: Soccer vs. Belmont, Finley Stadium, 2 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 15: Men’s Golf at Invitational at the Honors (Ooltewah), 9 a.m.
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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions for the Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics, and Master of Accountancy graduate programs. The Rollins College of Business graduate programs provide flexible course options and exclusive career support resources to elevate your education and advance your career.
MBA Information Sessions
MSM Information Sessions
MSDA Information Sessions
MAcc Information Sessions
Business Analytics Certificate Information Sessions
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From 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, come to the UTC Library Room 101 for “Calm, Care, Connect,” an important conversation about physical and psychological safety on campus. The event will feature Counseling Center staff, campus public safety officers and fellow students, faculty and staff. All are welcome and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP on MocSync.
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The second meeting of the semester’s Quantum Seminar series will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, in the UTC Library Room 435.
Dr. Rebekah Herrman, assistant professor in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department at UT Knoxville, will present “Combinatorics-Inspired State Preparation and Trotterization Techniques for Approximating Continuous-Time Quantum Walks.”
Her talk will explore recent methods in state preparation and Hamiltonian simulation that draw on combinatorics—the study of counting discrete structures—to reduce circuit depth when working with countable bases. She will also discuss graph matching Trotterization approaches for simulating continuous-time quantum walks in the circuit model, showing that these techniques require fewer CNOT gates than state-of-the-art methods in sparse regimes.
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The Decosimo Success Center is hosting an event for accounting majors:
- 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 in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business:
- Today (Sept. 9): Nichols Cauley
- Thursday, Sept. 11: JHM CPA
- Monday, Sept. 15: LBMC
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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.
- 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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The Department of Chemistry kicks off its fall semester seminar series with a talk by Professor Bill Pennington of Clemson University. The seminar, titled “Cry me a river: Disappointments, pleasant surprises, and beating the drum in X-bonding research,” will take place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, in Grote Hall 411.
Pennington, the Alumni Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and department chair at Clemson, will discuss recent developments in halogen bonding (X-bonding) research, including new halogen-bond donors and acceptors, and surprising results from his lab. Learn more on MocSync.
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Calling all UTC alumni, faculty and staff. UTC Alumni have exciting opportunities coming up for you to stay engaged with your fellow Mocs.
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Little Moc Walk, Kids 12 and under can fly with Scrappy through First Horizon Pavilion in a mini parade behind the Marching Mocs. Each participant receives an exclusive cape with a new 2025 design.
- Saturday, Sept. 13: UTC vs. Stetson Tailgate, Join us before kickoff for kid-friendly activities, food, giveaways and plenty of Moc spirit.
- Now through the home season: UTC alumni football discount, Use code “UTCALUM” for up to $20 off season tickets and $5 off reserved chairback seats to all home games. Buy tickets now.
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The Star Party season opens Sunday, Sept. 14, 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. Dr. Amy Brock-Hon, professor of geology, will present on the geology of Mars, followed by a planetarium show highlighting the night’s constellations. Telescope viewing will be available until 9 p.m.
Seating is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early. The Clarence T. Jones Observatory is located at 10 N. Tuxedo Ave.
For more information, visit the Observatory webpage.
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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 Tuesday, Sept. 16, on Vine Street.
Here is the upcoming Scrappy’s Market schedule:
- 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 Graduate School invites you to attend the Fall Grad Fair from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in the Roth Reading Room at the UTC Library.
At the Grad Fair, you can:
- Explore more than 30 advanced degree programs
- Connect with faculty, staff and program representatives
- Learn about career paths and the admissions process
- Enjoy free food, giveaways and domestic application fee waivers
The event is open to anyone interested in a graduate degree from UTC. Register here.
For more information about graduate programs, visit the Graduate School webpage. Contact gradinfo@utc.edu with questions.
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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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UTC is once again partnering with the United Way of Greater Chattanooga for the 21st annual city-wide Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 19. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join this impactful volunteer initiative alongside more than 500 community members across Chattanooga.
This annual event offers a unique opportunity for UTC to demonstrate our collective commitment to civic engagement and servant leadership by addressing pressing community needs. Volunteer projects include making meals, sorting food, food pantry organization, painting projects and building projects at various service sites throughout the city.
Volunteers will help from 7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at service sites citywide with transportation provided from campus. Grab-and-go breakfast, a volunteer T-shirt and lunch will be provided.
By participating in Day of Caring, faculty and staff have the opportunity to model a culture of service, lead by example in fostering community engagement, elevate UTC’s role as a regional changemaker, and continue to light the way for others through compassion, commitment and purpose.
Please register using the following links:
For questions or additional information, please contact Director of Engagement Bryant Fairley by email or at 423-425-5860.
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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 on Sept. 19, 22 and 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.
To streamline the process, please download, complete and print the attached vaccine form before your visit.
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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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 Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor (URaCE) and the Graduate School are seeking graduate and undergraduate students to compete in upcoming pitch competitions on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the McKenzie Arena Wolford Family Athletic Center.
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Graduate Student 3MT® Competition: 10:30-11:15 a.m. (check-in at 10 a.m.). Prizes: $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place.
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Undergraduate Student Research Elevator Pitch Competition: 1:20-2 p.m. (check-in at 12:50 p.m.). Prizes: $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. Students will “pitch” a new research or creative works idea or seek support for an ongoing project.
The registration deadline is Sunday, Sept. 21. Spots are limited, so register today.
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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.
Campus Updates
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to remind our campus community that support is available. It is OK to ask for help.
Here4TN Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS) offers free resources for benefits-eligible employees, their spouses and dependents:
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Counseling services: Up to five no-cost, short-term counseling visits per individual, per issue, per year, with telephone, in-person and virtual options.
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Virtual Behavioral Coaching (AbleTo): Personalized, self-paced support for depression, stress and anxiety with access to a dedicated coach and 24/7 resources.
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Calm and Calm Health apps: Tools to reduce stress, improve sleep and build resiliency through self-paced audio and video resources.
Call Here4TN EWS at 855-Here4TN (855-437-3486) or visit Here4TN.com to learn more. Click here to learn more about upcoming events and community resources.
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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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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
 Gunny O’Brien Meet Gunther—also known as Gunny—UTC’s first chief canine officer.
Gunny is a German shorthaired pointer, born in Hungary at a kennel known for breeding hunting dogs. These days, his title at UTC is mostly honorary, but you may have spotted him around campus alongside UTC Police Chief Sean O’Brien.
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 Gillian Morton talks to the Camp Bloom campers about nutrition and balanced meals. Gillian Morton never imagined her passion for science could take her to a remote island in the Bahamas. Now a senior at UTC and an aspiring physician assistant, Morton has immersed herself in undergraduate research experiences.
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 Amy Brown Amy Brown’s path to higher education has been anything but traditional. A transfer student from Cleveland State Community College, she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UTC in May. She is currently a student in UTC’s master’s program in psychological science.
Now serving as a transfer student mentor in the Center for Student Success, Brown said she hopes to continue being a voice for the nearly 3,000 transfer students enrolled at UTC.
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 UTC Innovations in Honors students Abbey Marak (left photo) and Hattie Martinek (white shirt in right photo) both participated in programs with the Chattanooga Autism Center this summer. The Chattanooga Autism Center keeps a close connection with UTC, offering internship and volunteer opportunities for students from a variety of degree programs.
WUTC
On WUTC’s “Scenic Roots,” jazz pianist Alan Broadbent discussed his upcoming UTC concert, joined by Ken Dryden, whose support helped bring the performance to campus.
IN Memoriam
Robert Neal Coulter, who retired from UTC several years ago as a member of the UTC Library faculty, died on Aug. 23, 2025. There will be a visitation from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at the Advantage Funeral Home (1724 McCallie Ave.) with a burial to follow in Forest Hills Cemetery. His 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.
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