Scrappy Ever After:  Our campus comes alive during Homecoming!  The event-filled week brings together students, faculty, staff and alumni.  You will see this year’s theme—Scrappy Ever After—throughout the week, including a themed block party, stuffed animals and sweet treats, an enchanted gala and more.  Check out the Homecoming webpage for more information and show off your Mocs spirit!

Let’s Go Mocs: Homecoming Week will culminate with our football team facing VMI in a pivotal Southern Conference matchup at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Finley Stadium.  Students can enjoy a tailgate from 1:30-3:30 p.m. near the First Horizon Pavilion featuring music, games and refreshments.  The 2024 UTC Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during halftime.  Be sure to come out and cheer on our Mocs!

Chattanooga Connect:  The inaugural Chattanooga Connect conference will take place next week (Oct. 21-23) in the University Center.  Chattanooga Connect will convene global industry leaders, policymakers, technologists and researchers to explore the future of urban transportation and cutting-edge advancements in digital infrastructure, AI and connected and automated vehicles.  Click here to learn more.

Power Trip:  We had a fantastic turnout for our recent Power C Tour trip to Memphis, and we expect similar crowds on our upcoming events in Knoxville (Wednesday, Oct. 23) and Nashville (Monday, Oct. 28).  If you know any high school seniors in the Knoxville or Nashville areas, please encourage them to attend.  Our Admissions Team has worked tirelessly to ensure every detail is covered, and I know they truly appreciate the excitement, enthusiasm and support of their campus partners.

Showing off our Blue-and-Gold Spirit:  On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Undergraduate Admissions Office will host its largest campus recruitment event of the fall—the annual Blue and Gold Preview Day for prospective students and their families.  We are all ambassadors of UTC, and these on-campus events provide an excellent opportunity for high school students, transfer students, graduate students and their families to experience the campus firsthand and meet the people who make UTC an exceptional place.

Making a Difference:  Congratulations to the Center for Wellbeing Director Megan McKnight on being invited to Washington, D.C., by the White House Domestic Policy Council and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Megan was recognized at the inaugural White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose event for her commitment to saving lives by increasing training on campus and the work she has done in accessing life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications.  The work Megan and her team have done for UTC in the Center for Wellbeing and the Mocs Recovery Program is phenomenal.

Another 100% Pass Rate:  It is always a thrill to congratulate the School of Nursing after hearing that another graduating class has achieved a 100% pass rate on its first attempt at the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), fulfilling the requirement for licensure as a registered nurse.  What a terrific accomplishment for the 34 May graduates—most of whom are now working in the Chattanooga metropolitan area in major acute care facilities—and the School of Nursing faculty and staff!

Power of We:  Congratulations to sophomore nursing major Kynedi Jennings on being selected as one of six Tennessee college students to receive the 2024 BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarship.  Kynedi, a native of Collierville, Tennessee, was the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship—plus a computer and headphones—thanks to her community service, leadership, academics, and commitment to improving health equity in the state.

Woman of Distinction:  Please join me in giving a big round of applause to UC Foundation Professor of Physical Therapy Nancy Fell, who will be honored by the Women of Distinction of Greater Chattanooga at the organization’s annual awards luncheon on Oct. 31.  This prestigious award recognizes women who set themselves apart through leadership and philanthropic contributions to the Chattanooga area.  I am thrilled that Dr. Fell is being celebrated for her commitment to both our University and the community.

Introducing the HHP Sports Lab:  Kudos to Associate Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences Kara Hamilton for conceiving the development of a formalized laboratory to conduct sports science research.  The HHP Sports Lab has been launched thanks to an external grant and partnership with Chattanooga-based Fast Break Athletics.  The lab offers hands-on learning opportunities for UTC students through research, measurement and analysis.

Hall of Fame Mocs:  Tomorrow night (Oct. 18), the Athletics Department will introduce the newest members of its Hall of Fame during the Class of 2024 induction ceremony/banquet at the Chattanooga Golf and County Club.  A big “Go Mocs” salute to the inductees: Kim Bush (Franklin) (women’s basketball, 1985-86), Jim Foster (women’s basketball head coach, 2014-18), Brooke Loudermilk (Hodge) (softball, 2007-10), Greg Moore (football, 1983-86), Derek Rende (men’s golf, 2007-10), and Kathleen Turchin (cross country/track and field, 2003-07).  Also receiving recognition are Hall of Fame special award winners Eddie and Kathy O’Brien (Gordon Davenport Award), Quonta Vance (Joe Morrison Award), Neva Clark (Scrappy Moore Award) and Bud Hennebaul (Harold Wilkes Award).

Make Sure Your Voice is Heard on Nov. 5:  Whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, voting is a privilege and a duty—and it is crucial that you vote.  In-person voting for the presidential election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.  Go Mocs and Go Vote!