It’s Time to Celebrate: What an exciting time at UTC! Tomorrow and Saturday, we will gather in McKenzie Arena to recognize the Class of 2026. We are very excited about the featured speakers selected to deliver the graduation charges during the ceremonies: UTC alumnus Quonta “Que” Vance, executive vice president of Pro and Home Services at Lowe’s Companies Inc., and Janet Rehberg, president and CEO-elect of EPB.
This year’s new college-based ceremony format will bring undergraduate and graduate students together in a shared celebration. The change reflects how students experience the University every day, with undergraduate and graduate students learning and working alongside one another across their academic careers.
Sometimes you don’t realize who around you is one of the 500 on campus pursuing a doctoral degree. To see that up close can help undergraduate students imagine that path for themselves. Students get to see the people they’ve learned from and worked alongside, and that can be very meaningful. At the same time, those graduate students want to see the students they have worked with crossing the stage, too.
Commencement is about celebrating our students and everything they’ve accomplished. It’s also about helping them see what’s ahead.
To all of our graduates, always remember us because we will always remember you. Congratulations!
And to our marshals, volunteers and behind-the-scenes staff who have worked so hard to make commencement an extra-special event for our graduating students, thank you!
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Honoring a Legacy of Leadership: As we prepare for commencement, I once again want to recognize Provost Jerold L. “Jerry” Hale, who will retire on June 30 after more than 40 years of service in higher education, including seven years of dedicated leadership at UTC. Since joining our campus in 2019, Provost Hale has led with integrity, a deep commitment to student success and a steadfast focus on academic excellence.
He has presided over dozens of commencement ceremonies during his time at UTC, helping celebrate the achievements of thousands of graduates and their families. On a personal note, I am especially grateful for his partnership, counsel and support during my first year as Chancellor. His leadership has left a lasting impact on our University, and we thank him for his extraordinary service as he prepares for a well-earned retirement.
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Building Momentum for Our Future: Yesterday afternoon at the Wolford Family Athletic Center, we had the opportunity to come together with campus and community partners for Join the Momentum, a meaningful moment to reflect on the transformation taking place across UTC. Fueled by more than $460 million in construction and infrastructure investments, our campus is evolving in ways that support student success, research and engagement while positioning us for continued growth.
It was a pleasure to share that progress alongside UT System President Randy Boyd and so many of the people who continue to invest in our University and help increase the value of a degree at UTC. Momentum is something we are building together through strong partnerships, shared vision and a commitment to what comes next.
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A Milestone Moment for the College of Nursing: Last week, we marked an important moment in the construction of the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building with a topping ceremony at the corner of Palmetto and 3rd streets. This tradition, which celebrates the placement of the final structural beam, displays both the progress we are making and the impact this facility will have on our campus and community.
As the future home of UTC’s College of Nursing, this $77 million building will significantly expand our ability to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals. With enhanced space for instruction, simulation and collaboration, the facility will allow us to serve more students and strengthen our role in addressing critical workforce needs across Chattanooga and the region.
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Honoring Service Across Our Community: Last week, three members of our UTC community—Dr. Chandra Ward, Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt and graduating senior Joshua Clay—were named recipients of the 2026 Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award, one of the state’s highest recognitions for public service in higher education.
Each of these individuals represents a different pathway to impact. Dr. Ward’s work focuses on equity and access in our community, connecting research to real challenges facing Chattanooga. Dr. Dierenfeldt has built strong partnerships to address public safety through data-informed strategies that are making a difference across the region. Joshua has distinguished himself through mentorship, leadership and a commitment to helping others succeed—both on campus and beyond.
Together, their work reflects the spirit of service that defines UTC, and we are proud to see their contributions recognized at the state level. Congratulations!
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Telling Our Story Through Data: Charlie Mix, director of UTC’s Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science (CAGDS), is earning international recognition for work that connects research with community needs. His project, “Mapping Chattanooga’s Urban Forests,” received the Storytelling with Maps Innovation Award in the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition, highlighting how data, technology and collaboration can help address challenges such as urban heat and tree canopy loss.
What makes this work especially meaningful is its impact beyond the map. By combining geospatial data with clear, accessible storytelling, Mix and his collaborators are helping guide decisions that improve the quality of life across our community. This recognition shows not only technical excellence but the power of using research to inform and make a difference.
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Shaping the Future of Assessment: Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Taylor on being named the inaugural recipient of the Pathfinder Award from Embry-Riddle University and the Continuous Improvement Summit, an honor recognizing emerging leaders who are transforming the field of assessment through innovation, scholarship and service.
Dr. Taylor was selected for her leadership in the Grand Challenges in Assessment initiative and her commitment to using assessment to strengthen teaching, learning and student success. Her work reflects a focus on equity and evidence-based practices, helping ensure that the student experience is both meaningful and measurable.
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Welcoming Our Newest Mocs: As we look ahead to the fall semester, I invite you to be part of one of the most important moments in a student’s UTC experience—Operation Move In. This year’s OMI will take place August 19-20, as we welcome our newest Mocs and their families to campus.
Last year, Operation Move In was one of my very first opportunities to connect with students and families, and I was struck by the care, coordination and teamwork on display across our campus. What stood out most was the dedication of our volunteers. Your willingness to step up and serve created a welcoming environment that set the tone for our students’ first experience at UTC.
We never get a second chance to make a first impression. I encourage you to mark your calendars and consider volunteering to help us put our best foot forward for our newest Mocs.
