Everybody Loves a Parade: I hope you can join me this evening for the parade honoring the Mocs men’s basketball team, which starts at 6 p.m. and ends at Miller Park. It takes a village to win a championship, and our Mocs showed us just that. Congratulations to the players, coaches and everyone behind the scenes—athletic trainers, strength coaches, equipment staff, academic support, athletics counselors and so many more—on bringing home the NIT Championship! Your hard work, dedication and teamwork made this incredible moment possible. Thank you for making Mocs everywhere proud!

The Final Stretch: The finish line is in sight! After tomorrow’s Spring Holiday and a well-earned long weekend, we enter the final stretch of the semester—from the last day of classes on Monday, April 21, to Reading Day on April 22, and final exams on April 23–29. To our graduating students: You did it! We can’t wait to celebrate your incredible achievement. And to our students heading into summer internships, travel abroad adventures or some much-needed relaxation—enjoy every second. You’ve earned it!

Celebrating the Class of 2025: Commencement is almost here, and it’s one of the most meaningful times on our campus. Graduate student commencement will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in McKenzie Arena. The following day (Saturday, May 3), we’ll celebrate our undergraduate students with two ceremonies: the 9 a.m. event for the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the 2 p.m. ceremony for the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies. We are thrilled to welcome UTC alum Cindy Monroe, founder and CEO of Thirty-One Gifts, as the speaker for both undergraduate ceremonies. At the Graduate School ceremony, we’ll be inspired by Dr. Tyler Forrest—president of Tennessee Wesleyan University and a three-time UTC alum. Congratulations to our soon-to-be graduates! You’ve earned every bit of this celebration!

UTC Earns National Military-Friendly Honors: For the first time in school history, UTC has been ranked among the nation’s Top 10 large public universities in the Military Friendly® Schools rankings! UTC earned Top 10 Gold status for 2025-26, placing No. 10 nationally and first in the Southeast Region, and also was recognized as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for our continued support of military families. With nearly 1,500 veterans, military-affiliated students and their families on our campus, we are proud to be a home for those who have served. 

Spotlight on Discovery: Kudos to the hundreds of students, faculty and staff who made this year’s Spring Research and Arts Conference such a success! The conference welcomed more than 700 poster and oral presenters—showcasing the incredible breadth of research, scholarship and creative work happening across our campus.

Students Driving Real-World Solutions: Congratulations to the Innovations in Honors students in Dr. Jordan King’s Innovation Lab, who have spent the academic year tackling real-world transportation challenges in partnership with CARTA. From creating more accessible route maps to developing outreach for Spanish-speaking residents, these students are making a difference—culminating in presentations at Chattanooga City Hall. Their work shows what’s possible when creativity, collaboration and community engagement come together. Well done!

Capitol Gains: Nine UTC undergraduate students recently had the opportunity to present their research at the Tennessee State Capitol. Posters at the Capitol featured research conducted by Landon Boone (physics), Barbara Higgs (chemistry), Angelica Lance (environmental science), Brenden Lippard (mechatronics), Alyssa Matthews (biochemistry), Logan McCollough (mechanical engineering), Diya Patel (mechanical engineering), Anna Sherrill (environmental science: policy and planning) and Tooba Tanveer (mechanical engineering). Congratulations to the students; faculty mentors Tatiana Allen, Jared Pienkos, DeAnna Beasley, Erkan Kaplanoglu, Mohammad Mahtabi, Hamdy Ibrahim and Azad Hossain; and the Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor.

Game On at Maclellan Gym: What a fun story to share! UTC is making big moves in the world of collegiate esports, turning what started as a student club into a competitive, scholarship-supported program with a new home in Maclellan Gym. Overseen by the Office of Information Technology, the UTC esports program now features varsity and academy teams, top-tier gaming equipment and more than 60 student participants. It’s more than just gaming—it’s about building community, boosting engagement and preparing students for life beyond the screen.

A Celebration of Gratitude and Generosity: The University’s annual Scholarship Luncheon recently brought together scholarship donors and student recipients for a heartfelt celebration of giving and achievement. The April 4 event featured a dynamic panel discussion with students Katie Collins, Erin Jones, Sara Mathews and Sergio Desiante—who shared their personal journeys, campus involvement and future goals. The luncheon provided a powerful reminder of the impact donor generosity has on the lives of our students. A special tribute video featured Vann Cunningham, a 1974 UTC graduate and dedicated supporter whose commitment to student success continues to inspire. Thank you to all the donors and alums who joined us in making this a truly special event. 

An Investment in Honors: A huge thank you goes out to Richard Zhang (’92), a triple-major and Brock Scholar whose recent gift to the UTC Honors College will transform the experience for students in the Innovations in Honors program. Thanks to Richard’s generosity, every student in the program will now receive a $2,000 annual scholarship—matching the support previously reserved for Brock Scholars. This historic gift not only levels the playing field but sets the UTC Honors College apart across the state and the country. We are deeply grateful to Richard for his belief in the power of honors education and for investing in the next generation of leaders.

National Recognition for a Campus Leader: Congratulations to Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement Stacy Lightfoot on her appointment to the Commission on Purposeful Pathways, a national initiative supported by the Gates Foundation. The commission brings together experts from across the country to strengthen the bridge between high school, college and career, ensuring students have the guidance and opportunities they need. 

Pitch Perfect: UTC’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will take center stage this evening (April 17) for the Fly Pitch Entrepreneur Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-style competition giving young entrepreneurs the chance to win up to $5,000 in startup funding. Sponsored by the Patton Foundation, this exciting event empowers students to present bold business ideas, sharpen their entrepreneurial skills and compete for real-world support. A special thank you to Tennessee entrepreneur Spencer Patton, founder of Route Consultant, Patton Logistics and Hello Truck Lease, for investing in the next generation of student innovators.

Honors Honor: For the first time, the Southern Regional Honors Conference came to Chattanooga—bringing students from across the South to present research, explore the city and connect through shared stories. A big round of applause goes to Dean Linda Frost and the staff and students of the UTC Honors College for their tremendous work in welcoming more than 500 honors students and educators from 11 southern states to the Scenic City!

Strategic Plan Update: I would like to thank everyone who participated in the recent strategic plan open forum—either in person or via live stream. Don’t forget: the survey link will be accessible through the end of the semester—April 29.