Aug. 21, 2025

A Year Full of Possibilities: Welcome to a new academic year, Mocs! Whether this is your first full week on campus or you’re returning to familiar spaces and faces, this is your moment to lean in, take ownership, and make this year count.

You are part of a community that values curiosity, hard work and connection, and I’m excited to see what we will accomplish together. Throughout the year, I’ll use this C-Note to share highlights, celebrate successes, and spotlight the people and partnerships that make UTC such a special place.

Students, this semester marks the start of a new chapter in your UTC story. From here forward, you’re the one shaping what that story will be. The choices you make, the opportunities you pursue and the relationships you build will define your experience.

The best way to begin? Be present. Participate in class and stay engaged, because showing up is the single most important factor in academic success. Get involved beyond the classroom. Join a club, play an intramural sport, volunteer in the community, attend events, and cheer on the Mocs.

Looking back on my college years, I wish I had said “yes” to even more—more events, more games, more time with friends. You don’t get these years back, so make the most of them. Create a UTC experience you’ll always be proud to share.

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Introducing the Chancellor’s Challenge Coins: As many of you learned last week at Convocation, I shared a new UTC tradition, one that reflects gratitude, storytelling and the connections that define our community.

Beginning with this year’s freshman class, students will receive two Chancellor’s Challenge Coins during their time at UTC. One coin reads “Your Impact / My Gratitude.” It’s meant to be given to a UTC faculty or staff member who has made a meaningful difference in your journey, someone who challenged, mentored or supported you along the way. The second coin bears the message “Your Story. Be Curious and Bold.” This coin is for someone you hope to inspire to attend UTC—a friend, family member or mentee you believe would find their place here.

Challenge coins have a long tradition of honoring service and shared experiences. At UTC, they are a reminder that everyone’s story matters. They’re a way to thank those who have shaped your path and to encourage the next generation of Mocs to write their own stories with curiosity and courage.

If you did not get a chance to pick up your coins, please click here for the Chancellor Coin Request Form.

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Building for What’s Next: Construction isn’t just about new walls and fresh paint; it’s about creating the spaces our students need to learn, connect and succeed. As the academic year kicked off, progress is visible all across our campus, and that’s exciting to see.

This summer, we broke ground on the Oak Street Residence Hall, which will add nearly 800 beds in the heart of campus. Work is moving on the expansion of Fletcher Hall to enhance the home of the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. Renovations continue at numerous buildings around campus. Every project is an investment in our students and UTC’s future, ensuring we have the facilities to match our ambition.

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Celebrating Excellence Across Our Campus and Community: One of the best parts of my role is recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our faculty, staff and students. In recent weeks, several members of the UTC family have received significant honors—each a reflection of their talent, dedication and the impact they make on our campus and beyond.

• Laura Livermore from the Center for Global Education and Farron Kilburn from the School of Nursing were honored as the inaugural recipients of the Mocs Golden Feather Award. This annual honor celebrates employees who go above and beyond in their service to the campus community, and Laura and Farron exemplify that spirit through their outstanding contributions and commitment to helping others succeed.
• UC Foundation Professor Rick Dierenfeldt and College of Arts and Sciences Student Success Center Director Erica Holmes Trujillo received the 2025 UT System President’s Awards—the highest honor a faculty or staff member can receive from the UT System. Both have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their fields and a deep dedication to serving our students.
• UTC junior Vinny Nguyen was awarded a David L. Boren Scholarship, one of the nation’s most competitive national security-focused study abroad programs. An Innovations in Honors student double-majoring in political science: international/comparative studies and economics: international public policy, he will spend six months in Vietnam beginning in October for immersive language and cultural study.
• Dr. Chris Smith, director of the UTC School of Nursing, received the Patriot Award from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program. The award recognizes supervisors who go above and beyond in supporting National Guard and Reserve employees, offering flexibility, time off for military duties and understanding of service commitments beyond what the law requires.

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Big Discoveries, Big Honors: Congratulations to Dr. Francesca Leasi and Dr. Rich Walker from the Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science for being recognized in two exciting and very different ways for their research in aquatic ecosystems.

Dr. Leasi had a new species of deep-sea meiofauna discovered off Antarctica named in her honor—Musellifer leasiae—a recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to invertebrate biology.

Dr. Walker received the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities for his work on how cicada emergences shape stream ecosystems.

These honors are a testament to the depth of expertise at UTC and the incredible ways our faculty are helping students imagine what’s possible through research.

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Serving Those Who Serve: Let’s salute the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs on UTC being named a Top Yellow Ribbon School by U.S. Veterans Magazine.

This national honor recognizes the University’s commitment to veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve personnel, and military families. It’s a reflection of the VMA team’s dedication to creating a welcoming, supportive environment and ensuring military-connected students have the resources, connections and opportunities they need to succeed at UTC and beyond.

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Expanding Resources for Rural Schools: Congratulations to Dr. Amanda Hardin, director of UTC’s School Psychology program, on the upcoming launch of the Rural Assessment Intervention Library (RAIL) System, a UT System Grand Challenge initiative she envisioned and brought to life. This initiative is a powerful example of how UTC faculty are addressing statewide needs while creating hands-on learning opportunities that prepare our students for impactful careers.

Officially opening this Monday, Aug. 25, the RAIL System will provide school districts across Tennessee, especially in rural areas, with access to dozens of test kits and assessments they might not otherwise have, helping ensure children receive the services they need.