Celebrating the Class of 2026: There are few moments more meaningful in the life of our University than commencement—a time to recognize our students, reflect on their experiences and look ahead to what comes next.
On May 8-9, we will gather at McKenzie Arena to celebrate the Class of 2026, with approximately 1,400 undergraduate and 350 graduate students earning their degrees.
This year, we are introducing a new college-based ceremony format that brings undergraduate and graduate students together, reflecting how our students learn, collaborate and grow alongside one another throughout their time at UTC.
The first commencement ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8, and will include graduates from the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies and the College of Nursing.
Two ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 9. The 9 a.m. ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, while the 2 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Gary W. Rollins College of Business.
We are also honored to welcome two outstanding leaders as our commencement speakers. UTC alumnus Quonta “Que” Vance, executive vice president of Pro and Home Services at Lowe’s Companies Inc., will address graduates on Friday. Janet Rehberg, president and CEO-elect of EPB, will speak at both Saturday ceremonies.
Commencement has always been about recognition and possibility, and this updated format allows our students to see the full scope of that journey—both what they have accomplished and what lies ahead.
I look forward to celebrating alongside our graduates, their families and all who have supported them.
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Finishing Strong and Looking Ahead: While we celebrate our graduates, I also want to recognize the many students who are continuing their path at UTC. The final stretch of the semester is an important time—one that calls for focus, persistence and pride in the work you have accomplished and the work still ahead.
As you move through these last weeks, I encourage you to finish strong and take full advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Many of you are preparing for internships, research experiences, summer jobs or other hands-on learning that will continue to shape your goals and direction. These experiences matter; they build skills, confidence and clarity about what comes next.
We are proud of how far you have come and even more excited about what you will accomplish next. Always remember us because we will always remember you.
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Building Momentum for Our Future: I invite you to join us at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at the Wolford Family Athletic Center for Momentum, a special campus and community event celebrating the transformation taking place across UTC. More than $460 million in construction and infrastructure investments are reshaping our campus, creating new spaces that support student success, research and community engagement.
This event is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and to look ahead to what’s next. I hope you will join President Randy Boyd, our campus community, alumni and partners as we preview new facilities and continue building momentum for the future of UTC.
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Celebrating the Impact of Philanthropy:Last week’s Scholarship Luncheon was a meaningful reminder of what makes UTC such a special place, with people coming together to invest in opportunity. I want to thank our donors and partners for their belief in our students and for making scholarships possible. Your generosity creates pathways for students to enroll and succeed.
Scholarships open doors to experiences that shape futures, from research and internships to leadership opportunities. For many of our students, that support is transformative, changing not only their lives but the trajectory of their families. I am grateful to everyone who continues to invest in our students and in the future we are building together.
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Advancing Research for Our Community: Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science Associate Professor Azad Hossain has secured a $227,172 contract with the City of Chattanooga to study how urban development is impacting Friar Branch Creek and the surrounding watershed. This multi-year project brings together geospatial analysis, field data and advanced modeling to better understand how growth affects water quality and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Hossain’s work displays the kind of partnership that defines UTC’s role in our community, connecting research with challenges to support informed decision-making. It also creates valuable hands-on opportunities for our students to engage in meaningful, applied research that benefits the region.
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Recognizing Excellence: Congratulations to Dr. David Levine, the Walter M. Cline Chair of Excellence in Physical Therapy, on being named an Honorary Diplomate by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the field, and Dr. Levine is only the fourth recipient—and the first non-veterinarian—to receive the honor.
For more than three decades, Dr. Levine’s work has helped shape the field of animal rehabilitation, bridging human physical therapy and veterinary medicine to improve animal recovery and quality of life. His career reflects the kind of innovation and collaboration that define UTC’s research mission.
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Leading Through Advocacy: I want to recognize three of our Bachelor of Social Work students, Justine Hernandez, Tyler Parrott and Alexia Carroll, for winning a statewide competition at Tennessee’s Social Work Day on the Hill. They delivered their winning policy presentation inside the House chambers at the State Capitol, marking the fourth consecutive year UTC students have won during this annual event.
Their work reflects the heart of social work—advocacy, engagement and a commitment to addressing real challenges facing communities. I also want to thank our faculty and staff who prepare students for opportunities like this, helping them develop the confidence and skills to lead and make a difference.
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Field Research Supporting Conservation: Congratulations to graduate student Andy Wall for earning the 2026 North Carolina Botanical Garden Award from the Association for Southeastern Biologists, one of the top honors for research on southeastern plant biology and conservation. His work documenting plant diversity at Cloudland Canyon State Park provides critical data to support conservation and land management efforts.
Andy’s research shows the impact of hands-on, field-based scholarship at UTC, and I want to thank him, along with Dr. Joey Shaw and our environmental science faculty, for advancing knowledge that directly supports the stewardship of our natural resources.
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Expanding Support for Student Success: The launch of the Center for Student Accessibility marks an important step forward in how we support students across our campus. The CFSA offers expanded capacity for testing, meetings and student support, ensuring we can continue to meet the growing needs of our campus community.
I am especially grateful to Executive Director Kimele Carter and the entire team for their leadership in bringing this vision to life. The CFSA represents an important step forward in ensuring all students have the resources, support and opportunities they need to succeed at UTC.
