Groundbreaking News: The campus community is invited to attend the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Gary W. Rollins College of Business expansion at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 3, at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business courtyard near the corner of Douglas and Oak streets. You can click here to register. This expansion will nearly double the size of the Rollins College of Business, providing spaces that support teaching, research and student engagement while advancing the University’s commitment to business education and driving economic growth. A huge thank you to alumnus Gary W. Rollins and his wife, Kathleen, Gov. Bill Lee, Tennessee lawmakers and the Hamilton County delegation for their tremendous support of UTC.

Your Feedback Shapes UT: Your voice matters! Share your thoughts on free speech and viewpoint diversity at UTC by completing the Gallup Campus Survey. It’s quick, confidential and takes less than three minutes. Please check your email for the survey link sent on Jan. 27—and make your voice heard before Monday, Feb. 24.

A Critical Conversation on Wellness: UTC is excited to have been chosen to host the inaugural Well Informed: UT System Hybrid Wellness Series—a biannual event designed to spark conversations around student wellness and equip faculty, staff and students with tools to inspire change. The first session, taking place Tuesday, March 4, in the University Center Tennessee Room, focuses on a topic affecting communities statewide: opioids and overdose prevention. In-person registration closes tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 21), and the event will also be available in a virtual format. Please click here to register.

Remembering Those We Have Lost: The Blue and Gold Memorial, an annual service honoring UTC faculty, staff, students and alumni who have passed away over the last year, will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, at the Wolford Family Athletics Center. The service will also be streamed live via Vimeo. The names of those we lost in 2024 are recited in a ceremony signifying that they will always be members of our Mocs family. I hope you can attend to pay tribute.

E-Week Open House: The College of Engineering and Computer Science is hosting K-12 students and their parents and guardians this Saturday (Feb. 22) for an E-Week Open House. Held as part of National Engineers Week, the open house—taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Engineering and Computer Science Building—is designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the exciting fields of engineering and computer science. Attendees will experience hands-on demonstrations and interactive projects while meeting local industry leaders and UTC students, faculty and staff.

Bright Star: I’m a huge music fan, so I was particularly excited when I heard that the UTC Theatre Co. was staging Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s “Bright Star” from Feb. 25-March 1 in the Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre. You can purchase tickets online by clicking here. A big round of applause to Department of Theatre department head Steve Ray and our students, faculty and staff for bringing this Tony Award-nominated musical to the UTC stage.

Empower Your Future: Congratulations to UC Foundation and First Tennessee Bank Distinguished Professor of Finance Bento Lobo and Senior Lecturer Catherine Middleton for hosting “Empower Your Future,” a forum designed to help young people learn more about degrees and careers in finance and economics. More than 150 area high school students recently attended this year’s event.

Peak Performance: Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Katelyn Hancock on being named the recipient of the Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award recognizes faculty members for innovative and effective teaching methods that enhance learning experiences and have the potential to be replicated by other educators. Dr. Hancock will be honored at the organization’s annual conference in March.

Thank You for Your Support: A big thank you to the Tennessee American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation for their generous donation of the new ADA-compliant chair lift for the Aquatic and Recreation Center pool. The chair lift will make it easier for individuals with mobility challenges to access the pool, ensuring they can fully participate in and enjoy all that the ARC has to offer.