Four faculty members at UTC have been named as exceptional educators by the UT Alumni Association.
Outstanding Teacher Award
Katherine Rehyansky, professor of English, has been an instructor for 45 years, teaching in schools from Germany to Virginia and Maryland. When asked why she became an English professor, she said: “I never had much choice. From infancy, I loved words, and my parents and collateral relatives encouraged that (there were five adults in my household, teaching me and reading to me constantly).”
Outstanding Teacher Award
Christina Vogel, assistant professor of Art, Painting and Drawing, joined the UTC faculty in 2013 after teaching in such prestigious institutions as the Massachusetts College of Art. Her art has been displayed in more than 40 exhibitions. She is the Department of Art coordinator for the Art for All project, in which UTC engineering students design devices to help people with disabilities create artwork, and art students help the disabled artists figure out how to take what is in their heads and bring it into the real world.
Distinguished Service Award
Ralph Hood, graduate professor in the Department of Psychology. Joining the UTC faculty in 1971, he has since become known worldwide as an expert in the field of the psychology of religion. In 2016, he received the UTC Outstanding Lifetime Research and Creative Achievement Award. “Students continue to flock to his classes and benefit from his unique perspective,” says Brian O’Leary, dean of the Department of Psychology.
Public Service Award
Tammy Garland, professor of criminal justice and master’s degree coordinator in the Department of Social, Cultural and Justice Studies. Many of the courses she teaches focus on drugs and crime, victimology, juvenile justice, and crime and popular culture. Her current research includes juvenile bullying, drug policy issues and the victimization of women, children and the homeless. She also serves as a board member for the YMCA, the Chattanooga Community Housing Development Organization and the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute.
Congratulations to all! I had Professor Hood for Psychology during my freshman year at UTC. It was very enlightening and led me to taking more classes in this field. My degree was in Art Education, so I am intrigued by the project that Professor Vogel is working on with the Engineering Department. I think making art accessible to all is so worthwhile.