UTC is upgrading its campus emergency communications after a recent active-shooter hoax. WTVC The new alert system will “take over” campus screens, websites, social media, and broadcasting platforms—beyond just texts and emails—to deliver quicker and broader notifications. WTVC The hoax, attributed to a group called “Purgatory,” triggered the changes as UTC seeks stronger, multi-channel threat…
Literacy tutoring program in Hamilton County schools expands
UTC is partnering with Hamilton County’s new literacy tutoring initiative by supplying student tutors and coordinating program logistics. The university engages its education and social work departments to train and oversee tutoring sessions in local schools. UTC’s involvement helps bridge resource gaps, supports community-embedded learning, and strengthens town-gown collaboration — all aimed at improving literacy…
Gunny the dog breaks ice, wins hearts on UTC campus
At UTC, Campus Police Chief Sean O’Brien — a retired police lieutenant — walked across campus one morning in uniform with a police dog named Gunny to see if it would help spark conversations with students. About 90 % of students ignored the effort, many absorbed in their phones. Although the experiment didn’t produce mass…
Chattanooga preservation group honors people, projects
Preserve Chattanooga recently held its 2025 Chattanooga Preservation Awards, celebrating individuals and projects that protect, restore, and promote the city’s historic fabric. Hosted in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Interior Architecture and Design program, the nonprofit honored champions of preservation—ranging from architects and volunteers to restoration initiatives—that help safeguard Chattanooga’s heritage. The…
Hamilton County Schools, VW partner at new tech center
Hamilton County Schools has partnered with Volkswagen to fund and operate the new Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, launching a Volkswagen Engineering Preparatory Program for high school freshmen. The initiative aims to integrate industry-aligned engineering education into the curriculum. The partnership is meant to create engineering and university pathways from the school system to the University…