Largest freshman class in school history enrolled for fall semester

Freshmen flash the Power C during Convocation on Friday, Aug. 17.

The band played “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” The cheerleaders and Sugar Mocs shook pompoms. And the largest freshman class in UTC history filed into McKenzie Arena in a seemingly never-ending stream.

Unofficial numbers show 2,250 freshmen for fall semester 2018, an increase of 139 from fall 2017.

“We are extremely excited about the class of 2022,” says Yancy Freeman, vice chancellor of enrollment management and student success. “Unofficially, this appears to be the largest freshman class in campus history. We have a larger number of Tennessee residents, out of state and international students joining the UTC family for fall 2018. This academic year will be exciting for the campus and this community.”

On Friday at Convocation, the official welcoming for freshmen, almost the entire lower level of McKenzie was packed with blue Mocs shirts. During the 30-minute event, students were taught the UTC alma mater and Mocs Fight Song and given advice about how to make the most of their college experience.

“You’ve heard that college will be one of the greatest times of your lives. It will be,” Bradley Bell, assistant director of new student and family programs, told the students. “Your college experience occurs both inside and outside the classroom, including internships, research opportunities, a range of extracurricular activities and maybe even studying abroad.

“Current students, faculty, staff, administrators, we’ve all been brand-new to campus,” he said. “We experienced the same excitement and nervousness, and we looked to people who had been around campus for a while to answer our many questions. And remember, it’s OK to ask questions.”

Newly opened for fall semester, the 600-bed West Campus Housing is home to many freshmen. The $70 million residence hall is 96 percent full, says Valara Sample, director of Housing and Residence Life.

As a whole, residence halls on campus are  97 percent occupied, she says. About 60 percent of the students living in residential housing are freshmen, 24 percent are sophomores, 10 percent are juniors and 6 percent are seniors, figures show.

Freshmen took part in singing the alma mater and the Mocs Fight Song.

Most of the lower level of McKenzie Arena was filled with blue UTC T-shirts.

The cheerleading squad was part of the festivities.

Bradley Bell, assistant director of new student and family programs, offered advice to new students.

Among the songs played by the UTC Band was “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

The Sugar Mocs brought their dance moves to Convocation.

During Convocation, the UTC alma mater and the Mocs Fight Song were sung.

The UTC Band performed through much of Convocation.