Record Enrollment, Shared Success: This fall, UTC welcomed 12,060 students—the largest enrollment in our University’s 139-year history. That milestone is worth celebrating, but what excites me most is what it represents: more students than ever choosing to be part of this community because of the value of our degrees, the strength of our programs and the opportunities they find here in Chattanooga.
Growth like this doesn’t happen by chance. It reflects the hard work of so many across campus, especially our Enrollment Management and Student Affairs team, whose tireless efforts in recruiting and retaining students are making a measurable difference. It also reflects the daily commitment of our faculty and staff who create the supportive, engaging environment that helps students not only enroll but stay, succeed and graduate.
Thank you for the role each of you has played in helping us reach this milestone. This record enrollment reminds us that UTC’s momentum is real. We’re not just growing in size; we’re growing in impact, in reputation and in the confidence that students and families place in us. That’s a powerful foundation as we look ahead.
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Light Upon a Hill: Tonight, UTC Advancement is hosting the “Light Upon a Hill” celebration, a tradition that honors the remarkable impact of philanthropy and the generosity lighting our path forward.
Philanthropy changes lives. It opens doors for students, fuels faculty research, and strengthens our entire community. Every gift, large or small, carries our “Light Upon a Hill” legacy further and ensures future generations of Mocs have the opportunities they need to succeed. To every donor, thank you for believing in UTC and helping us carry this light forward.
As part of tonight’s festivities, we will celebrate the recipients of UTC’s top alumni awards:
Hiren Desai (’91), Distinguished Alumni Award, for entrepreneurial leadership and commitment to giving back.
Bo Watson (’83), Outstanding Service Award, for years of dedicated service and advocacy for UTC and our region.
Hallie DeHart (’18), GOLD Excellence Award, for early‑career success and community-building through her business ventures.
These honorees are shining examples of the success and impact our graduates make on campus and in the community.
“Light Upon a Hill” also gives us another chance to say thank you to Vice Chancellor Kim White. A proud alumna, Kim has been a tireless advocate for UTC, rebuilding our Advancement team, strengthening the UC Foundation, and leading record-breaking gains in fundraising and alumni engagement. Her vision and dedication have been transformational, elevating philanthropy to unprecedented levels. On behalf of the entire University, I want to thank Kim for her leadership, her dedication, and her unwavering commitment to her alma mater.
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Powering the Future: Congratulations to everyone involved in landing a $1.33 million National Science Foundation grant to lead planning for a QuantumGrid Innovation Hub in Chattanooga. This year-long project will bring together UTC researchers, EPB, CO.LAB and the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative to design a national testbed for developing cybersecurity solutions that protect the electric grid, one of our country’s most critical systems.
The grant will support planning sessions, industry and startup engagement, and workforce training opportunities that connect our students directly to one of the most critical national priorities of our time: securing the infrastructure that powers our communities. By leveraging EPB of Chattanooga’s highly advanced power grid and real-world quantum infrastructure in combination with UTC’s growing strengths in applied research, we are positioning our city—and our University—at the forefront of innovation in quantum technology and grid security.
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Milestone Moments: One of the highlights of Founder’s Week was Tuesday’s Service Awards Luncheon, where we recognized 194 faculty and staff who have reached career milestones ranging from five to 55 years—a combined 3,010 years of service.
What defines UTC isn’t just our buildings or programs; it’s the people. Your hard work, passion and commitment shape the experiences of our students every single day, and it was a joy to celebrate that dedication with you. I am deeply grateful to each of you for the difference you make and the pride you bring to this University.
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Opening Doors, Building Connections: Last night I had the privilege of attending my very first Power C Tour event in Franklin, and what an inspiring evening it was! High school students and families from the Nashville area came together to learn what it means to be a Moc. I shared with them what I know to be true: UTC is a place of opportunity, academic excellence and community impact where students are challenged, encouraged and supported every step of the way. It was wonderful to see so much excitement about the future and to welcome the next generation of Mocs into our community.
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Mocs Don’t Haze: Next week marks UTC’s annual Hazing Prevention Week (Sept. 22–26), a time for us to come together as a campus community to say clearly and firmly: there is no place for hazing at UTC.
Throughout the week, students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in educational sessions and conversations that build awareness, provide tools for bystander intervention, and highlight ways to create strong organizations and friendships without hazing. Mocs Don’t Haze reflects our values of respect, integrity and care for one another.
I encourage all students, especially student organization leaders, to take part in these important activities. By learning, speaking up and supporting one another, we can ensure that every Moc has a safe, inclusive and positive experience at UTC.
