As we near the end of the second week of the semester, I would like to thank everyone for their continued flexibility and cooperation in protecting the safety of our campus community. We owe a special thank you to our health team, who are doing an incredible job during uncertain times. A summary of current Spring Semester 2022 COVID precautions can be found here.
Cornel West, a prominent educator, author and public speaker will be the keynote presenter for UTC-MLK Day 2022, which takes place in a virtual setting at 10:00 a.m. on January 28. Dr. West is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary and is professor emeritus at Princeton University. The theme of his moderated conversation and Q&A is “Reflecting on Dr. King’s Message of Civility to Inspire Current Generations.” You can register for the Zoom event at utc.edu/cornel-west.
UTC’s celebration of Black History Month will kick off on February 1, and special events will take place throughout the month. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is working in partnership with units across campus to assemble the schedule. Please be sure to check your UTC email for finalized details.
It is an honor to recognize the recipients of Chancellor’s Blue Ribbon Awards, who are nominated by their coworkers for going above and beyond the call of duty to support our students and the campus. Congratulations to the honorees from the second half of 2021: Sharon Hardy (Chemistry and Physics), Sarah Canatsey (Gary W. Rollins College of Business), Christy Waldrep (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Amber Dennison (Counseling Center), Hannah Turcotte (Student and Family Engagement) and Chris Beavers (Accounting Services). A virtual recognition program for the award winners will take place on January 25.
Congratulations to our Mocs student-athletes on posting a cumulative 3.190 GPA during the fall 2021 semester. Twelve programs finished with a 3.0 team GPA or higher, led by women’s cross country (3.802). Individually, 60% of UTC student-athletes made the dean’s list, including 55 with a 4.0 GPA, and 72% made the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll. Go Mocs!
Welcome to Julie Torbett Thomas, the new Director of Volleyball and indoor volleyball head coach. Julie has worked with 54 all-conference student-athletes during her 28 years coaching at the collegiate level, and her teams have recorded 468 victories under her leadership. Welcome to UTC!
The national search for a new vice chancellor for communications and marketing continues to move forward. Information about the process, including search committee members and the timeline, can be found here. I want to thank the search committee chair, Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement Stacy Lightfoot, and the dedicated faculty, staff, students and community members serving on the search committee. We are anticipating that the new Vice Chancellor will be announced mid-semester.
A huge “Thank You” to Roland Carter for donating more than 50 years of sheet music, newspaper clippings, event programs, recordings and other items to the UTC Library. Professor Carter, who grew up in Chattanooga, retired from UTC in 2013 after 23 years on the faculty. He conducted the first concert of the African-American Music Series at Carnegie Hall and is the founder and CEO of Mar-Vel, a publishing company specializing in African-American musical traditions.