A University Milestone: Tomorrow, our campus will come together for a meaningful moment in UTC’s history—the Chancellor’s Investiture Ceremony. I hope you can join us at 3 p.m. at McKenzie Arena for this community event. While I’m honored to serve as chancellor, this day is not about me; it’s about us—our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who make this University what it is.
An investiture is a time to honor the people and partnerships that make UTC exceptional and to reaffirm the values that define us: student success, innovation, discovery and service. I hope the day reminds us that our greatest strength lies in working together. The future of UTC is bright, and I’m deeply grateful to share this journey with all of you.
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Season of Gratitude: As we approach Thanksgiving and the close of the semester, I’m reminded of how much we have to be grateful for at UTC. This season is also a time for giving, and I’m thankful for the many ways our campus comes together to support one another and our community. Each act of service and kindness reflects the heart of who we are as Mocs.
As we wrap up the semester, I hope each of you finds time to reflect on the difference you’ve made. Together, we’ve accomplished so much this fall, and I’m deeply grateful to share this season of gratitude with all of you. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank You for Welcoming Our Future Mocs: What an incredible stretch of campus energy! Last week, the Power C Tour, College Quest, and Blue and Gold Preview Day made our campus come alive with hundreds of high school students and families discovering what it means to be a Moc.
My sincere thanks to every staff colleague, faculty member and student volunteer who helped make these events such a success. Your enthusiasm and preparation showed future Mocs exactly what makes UTC so special.
Because of you, these visitors left campus not just impressed by our programs, but inspired by the warmth, pride and spirit that define our University.
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A Legacy of Service: Last week, we were honored to receive a remarkable gift from retired U.S. Army Gen. B.B. Bell, a 1969 graduate of the University. Gen. Bell has donated his personal papers and memoir, “Memoirs of a Nondescript Four-Star General: A Love Story,” to the UTC Library’s Special Collections.
His collection chronicles a lifetime of leadership, service and love, capturing his years as a student in Chattanooga, his distinguished 39-year military career, and his partnership with his late wife, Katie. It’s a deeply personal and profoundly meaningful addition to our University archives.
On behalf of the entire UTC community, I want to thank Gen. Bell for entrusting us with his story and for continuing to inspire future generations through his example of honor and service.
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Meet Sophie, UTC’s Newest Sergeant: There’s a new face—and four new paws—on campus! Please join me in welcoming Sergeant Sophie, the UTC Police Department’s first therapy dog.
Sophie, a one-year-old Labrador Retriever, officially joined the UTCPD team. Together, she and her handler, Corporal Aaron Bayer, are bringing comfort and smiles wherever they go by supporting our students, faculty and staff while strengthening relationships across campus.
My thanks to everyone who helped make this dream of a campus therapy dog a reality. Sophie’s arrival is a wonderful reminder that compassion and community truly go hand in hand—or, in this case, hand in paw.
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Partnering for Campus Safety: A big thank-you to Dr. Katelyn Hancock and her criminal justice students, who recently teamed up with UTC Public Safety leaders to examine campus safety from a fresh perspective.
As part of a class project, students conducted a “crime walk” to identify areas for improvement, and then shared their findings with Chief Sean O’Brien, Deputy Chief Matt Holzmacher and Director of Emergency Management Brett Fuchs. Their collaboration sparked meaningful discussion and highlighted the value of students and campus police learning from one another. This is what it means to be a Moc: working together to make our community stronger and safer.
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Building a Healthier Community: Kudos to Dr. Meagan Oslund in the School of Nursing and the students from occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, nursing and interior architecture who recently joined forces for a creative learning experience—an interprofessional “escape room” challenge designed to strengthen teamwork across disciplines.
By solving clues and applying what they’ve learned, students experienced UTC at its best through collaborative learning that connects knowledge to the people and problems they’ll serve.
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Honoring Service and Purpose: A special thank-you to 1st Lt. Terry Ellis, who delivered a powerful and inspiring keynote address at this year’s Chancellor’s Veterans Day Luncheon. Ellis, an assistant professor of practice in our School of Nursing and a member of the U.S. Army National Guard, reminded us that being a veteran isn’t about a single moment; it’s about a promise to serve with courage, integrity and heart.
I’m deeply grateful to Ellis for sharing his story and to everyone who helped honor our veterans and military-connected community. You remind us that UTC’s strength comes from service—both in uniform and in the way we serve one another every day.
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Finishing Strong: As we head toward Finals Week Dec. 3-9, I want to offer a few words of encouragement, especially to those experiencing college finals for the first time. It’s normal to feel some stress this time of year, but remember that you’ve prepared for this and you’re ready.
Take things one step at a time. Get rest, stay hydrated, and give yourself grace. Reach out for support if you need it. Your professors, advisors and classmates are here to help.
Most of all, be proud of how far you’ve come this semester. Every challenge you’ve met has moved you one step closer to your goals. Mocs, you’ve got this!
