A large number of distinguished faculty were nominated for these professorships, honoring the hard work and dedication each individual has contributed to their field. UTC is proud to announce the following recipients:
Awarded the Guerry Professorship
Established by anonymous gifts in 1959 and 1961 in memory of the University’s esteemed seventh president and in honor of his dedicated wife, the Guerry Professorship recognizes a select group of outstanding professors.
Dr. Lisa Burke-Smalley, Professor of Management in the College of Business
Burke teaches at the undergraduate and masters levels in human resource management. She received her Ph.D. from the Indiana University School of Business and her B.S. from the Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs. She has been SPHR certified since 1999.
She has published extensively in the area of training transfer, management education, and management development, presented her research internationally, and earned multiple reviewer awards from national conferences and journals.
Dr. Gary Wilkerson, Professor of Athletic Training in Health and Human Performance, in the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies.
Wilkerson received his Ed.D. from the University of Kentucky, his M.S. from the University of Arizona, and his B.S. from Eastern Kentucky University. He has been teaching at UTC since 2000, serving as Graduate Athletic Training Education Program Research Director. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training and Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Athletic Training.
Awarded the Chattanooga Manufacturer’s Association Professorship in Engineering
This professorship was established in 1980 to provide support for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and enable the University to reward a member of the engineering faculty for excellence in teaching, public service, and research.
Dr. Nesli Alp, Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science
Alp is the Department Head of Engineering Management and Technology and the Director of Graduate Programs for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at UTC. She has a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from University of Missouri-Rolla, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, and B.S. in Engineering Management from Istanbul Technical University. She has also completed a two-year Post-Doctorate study in Engineering Management at the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Alp has been teaching at UTC since 1999. She has a long history in engineering management and continues to play a crucial role in the growth and expansion of the College’s Engineering Management undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Awarded the LeRoy Martin Professorship in Religious Studies
The LeRoy Martin Professorship was supported by the UC Foundation in memory of the last ordained Methodist minister to serve as president of UC, 1959-66, and John H. Race Professor of Classics until his death in 1971.
Dr. Ralph Hood, Professor of Psychology in the Psychology Department
Hood specializes in teaching Psychology of Religion and Philosophical Psychology at UTC, and is particularly well known for his extensive research regarding religious practices in the Appalachian region. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from University of Nevada, his M.S. from California State College, and his B.S. from the University of California.
Hood has published extensively in on subjects related to the psychology of religion and spirituality, and has also appeared on the Animal Planet in a documentary about religious serpent handling.
