Each year, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga honors staff and faculty who have reached significant service milestones.
This year, 242 members of the UTC family will be recognized for reaching important service milestones during the UTC Service Awards Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 17—one of the highlights of Founder’s Week. The luncheon provides University administrators with a chance to express their appreciation for their employees’ dedicated service.
Service awards play a crucial role in rewarding employee contributions, enhancing UTC culture, and promoting retention and engagement. These awards are presented in five-year increments, beginning with the fifth year of regular service.
Honorees at this year’s luncheon will include 34 individuals who have reached at least 25 years of service. Four of the honorees—Dr. Ahmed Eltom, Dr. Cherry Guinn, David King and Dr. Amye Warren—are celebrating their 40th anniversary at UTC.
- Eltom is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. During his time at UTC, he had an extended period as the department head—leading Electrical Engineering through two successful accreditation visits in 2009 and 2015.
- Guinn, a professor in the School of Nursing, has been a guiding force since joining the faculty in 1984. Her strength in curriculum development has been crucial as the department’s programs have evolved from BSN to master’s and doctoral levels.
- King is the HVAC controls technician in Facilities, Planning and Management. He has played a vital role in maintaining the smooth and successful operation of campus facilities.
- Warren is a UC Foundation professor of psychology and a member of the graduate faculty. She has been instrumental in numerous community engagement initiatives, serving as chair of the Program Oversight Committee at the Chattanooga Autism Center and having a leadership role with the UTC Au-some Mocs teams for the Chattanooga Autism Walk.
Five others have reached the milestone figure of 35 years with UTC: School of Nursing Professor Susan Davidson; mechanical engineering administrative assistant Andrea James; Computer Science and Engineering Professor and Department Head Joseph Kizza; UTC Arena maintenance crew leader Eric McIntyre; and Management Professor Mark Mendenhall—the J. Burton Frierson Chair of Excellence in Business Leadership.
Here are the 2024 Service Award recipients, courtesy of Human Resources. The list includes several employees who recently left UTC.
40-Year Service Awards
- Ahmed Eltom: Professor, Electrical Engineering
- Cherry Guinn: Professor, Nursing
- David King: HVAC Controls Technician, Repairs and Maintenance
- Amye Warren: Professor, Psychology
35-Year Service Awards
- Susan Davidson: Professor, Nursing
- Andrea James: Administrative Associate III, Mechanical Engineering
- Joseph Kizza: Professor and Department Head, Computer Science and Engineering
- Eric McIntyre: Maintenance Crew Leader, UTC Arena
- Mark Mendenhall: Professor, Management
30-Year Service Awards
- Boris Belinskiy: Professor, Mathematics
- Tom Ellis: Assistant Vice Chancellor, Administration
- Timothy Gaudin: Professor, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Laura Herron: Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, Athletics
- Paul Moon: Senior Power Plant Operator, Power Plant
- Lee Pierce: Assistant Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
- Henry Spratt: Professor, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
25-Year Service Awards
- David Aborn: Professor, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Deanna Cameron: Academic Advisor I, Student Success Center
- Bonny Clark: Program Liaison Specialist I, Graduate School
- Marisa Colston: Professor, Health and Human Performance
- April Cox: Creative Director, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
- Amy Davis: Director, Mocs One Center
- John Graef: Professor, Mathematics
- John Johnson: Parking Assistant, Parking Services
- Ruby Jordan: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Anna Lane: Budget Coordinator, VC for Research and Dean, Research Institute
- Jonathan McNair: Professor, Music
- Marcus Myers: Infrastructure Applications Coordinator, Client Services
- Joseph Owino: Professor and Head, Civil Engineering
- Robbie Reel: Director, Project Management Office
- Christopher Stuart: Professor, English
- Steven Symes: Professor, Chemistry
- Malerie Thompson: Assistant Director, Mocs One Center
- Cecelia Wigal: Professor and Associate Dean, Engineering and Computer Science
20-Year Service Awards
- Kay Cowan: Professor, School of Education
- April Green: Senior Lecturer, English
- Matthew Guy: Associate Professor, English
- Bryan Hampton: Professor and Associate Head, English
- Andrew Horton: Senior Associate Athletics Director, Athletics
- Tracy Hughes: Senior Lecturer, Mathematics
- Theresa Liedtka: Director of Space Management, Academic Affairs
- Jason Lyon: Director, Undergraduate Admissions
- Matt Matthews: Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
- Heather Palmer: Professor, English
- Dennis Plaisted: Associate Professor, Philosophy
- Michelle Prince: Director, Auxiliary Services
- Bradley Reynolds: Senior Lecturer, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Brian Ribeiro: Professor, Philosophy
- Michelle Rigler: Executive Director, Disability Resource Center
- Julie Russ: Enrollment Counselor, Mocs One Center
- Bud Sisler: Senior Locksmith, Repairs and Maintenance
- Christopher Stokes: Assistant Director, Multicultural Affairs
15-Year Service Awards
- Laurie Allen: Professor of Practice and Lyndhurst Chair, Arts-Based Collaborative
- Emily Blackman: Assistant Vice Chancellor and Senior Associate Athletics Director, Athlete Academic Enhancement Center
- Pam Blevins: Administrative Coordinator, Dean of Students
- Michael Bonnal: Associate Professor, Economics
- Frank Butler: Professor, Management
- Merrium Carver: Administrative Support Specialist, Housing Administration
- Janice Cosey: Bursar, Bursar’s Office
- Jennifer Ellis: Professor, School of Education
- Randy Evans: Professor, Management
- John Freeze: Director, Center for Professional Education
- Aaron Grisham: Director of University Center and Lupton Hall, University Center
- Stacie Grisham: Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
- James Guilfoyle: Senior Lecturer, History
- Hadley Holcomb: Senior Lecturer, Mathematics
- David Lee: General Maintenance Technician, Housing Facilities
- Amanda Matthews: Senior Lecturer, Mathematics
- Brandon McDonough: Power Plant Foreman, Power Plant
- Krista McKay: Senior Lecturer, English
- Robert Millan: Assistant Director for IT Banner, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Virginia Moore: Director, Accounting Services
- Stephon Ramsey: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- David Rausch: Professor and Associate Dean, Learning and Leadership
- Michelle Rosano: Simulation Coordinator, Nursing
- Dagbir Seke: Building Services Assistant, Building Services
- Michael Thompson: Associate Professor, History
- Kimberly Whiteside: Associate Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Lane Wilkinson: Professor, Library
10-Year Service Awards
- Shellie Acocello: Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance
- Sarah Alsobrooks: Academic Advising Coordinator, Office of the Dean
- Paul Baggett: Associate Lecturer, Engineering Management and Technology
- Steven Banks: Lecturer, LEAD
- Leah Barrett: Administrative Coordinator, Nursing
- Amy Beal: Advisor I, Academic Support and Advisement
- Andy Browne: Assistant Professor, LEAD
- Amy Campbell: Administrative Specialist III, Graduate School
- Karen Casebier: Associate Professor, Modern and Classical Languages and Literature
- Ardarryl Clay: Assistant Custodial Supervisor, Building Services
- Kelly Drake: Director, Counseling Center
- Susan Eckelmann: Associate Professor and Associate Head, History
- Allison Evans: Executive Director, Budget and Finance Office
- Dutch Fayard: Associate Professor, Accounting
- Stuart French: Device Management Technician, Client Services
- Faith Garner: Administrative Specialist II, Environmental Health and Safety
- Carson Grey: Banner Database Administrator, Client Services
- Danny Grzesik: Director of Leadership and Programs, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
- Natalie Haber: Associate Professor, Library
- Katie Hargrave: Associate Professor, Art
- Chandler Harriss: Associate Professor, Communication
- Megs Hazare: IT Technologist II, Telecommunications
- Jordan Hicks: Coordinator First Year Experience, Music
- Hunter Holzhauer: Associate Professor, Finance
- Orie Hubbard: Associate Director, Residence Life
- Sara Jackson: Chief of Staff, Engineering and Computer Science
- Kenneth Jones: Director of Athletic Compliance, Athletics
- Barry Kamrath: Associate Professor, School of Education
- Abdel Karrar: Professor, Electrical Engineering
- Roy Keith: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Pat Kelley: Administrative Secretary, Art
- Farron Kilburn: Project Manager, Nursing
- Nai Lamb: Associate Professor, Management
- Mary Marr: Senior Instructional Designer, Walker Center for Teaching and Learning
- Emily Martin: Advisor I, Nursing
- Joseph McCauley: Academic Advising Coordinator, Student Success Center
- Michael McCluskey: Professor and Associate Head, Communication
- Catherine Meeks Quinlan: Associate Lecturer, English
- Ethan Mills: Associate Professor, Philosophy
- Ahad Nasab: Professor and Interim Dean, Engineering and Computer Science
- Han J. Park: Associate Professor, Chemistry
- Marcy Porter: Program Accreditation and Assessment Director, Office of the Dean
- Donald Reising: Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
- Kira Robison: Associate Professor and Department Head, History
- Philip Roundy: Associate Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
- LaDonna Spruill: Assistant to the Dean, Business
- Emily Thompson: Associate Professor, Library
- Nishani Vincent: Associate Professor, Accounting
- Juanita Wade: Police Dispatcher I, UTC Police Department
- Jin Wang: Professor, Mathematics
- Shawn Winters: Early Childhood Specialist, UTC Children’s Center
- Dalei Wu: Associate Professor, Computer Science
5-Year Service Awards
- Amir Alakaam: Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance
- Karen Babine: Assistant Professor, English
- Damitha Bandara: Clinical Associate Professor, Management
- Ray Bassett: Editorial Director, WUTC Radio
- Terri Bearden: Administrative Associate, Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
- Erical Beasley: Director of Business Affairs, Housing Administration
- Rob Beckett: WUTC Assistant Manager, WUTC Radio
- Corey Belonzi: Assistant Director of Strategic Communications, Athletics
- Ashley Rene Berg: Assistant Professor, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Stephanie Blaine: Project Manager, Nursing
- Ross Brenza: Police Corporal, UTC Police Department
- Julie Brown: Employee Wellness Consultant, Office of Human Resources
- Edward Brudney: Assistant Professor, History
- Karen Campbell: Accounting Coordinator, Accounting Services
- Sarah Canatsey: Coordinator Instructional Dev and 1st Year Seminar, Business
- Lynette Carlson: Assistant Professor, Health and Human Performance
- Carmela Castro: Advisor I, Office of the Dean
- Abigail Chiaravalle: Assistant Director of Stewardship, UC Foundation
- Jayda Coons: Assistant Professor, Honors College
- Roger Costner: Senior Locksmith, Repairs and Maintenance
- Christopher Cox: Professor and Department Head, Mathematics
- Terry Dallas: General Maintenance Tech, Housing Facilities
- Charlene Davenport: Administrative Specialist III, Office of the Provost
- Christi Denton: Assistant Professor, Nursing
- Cheryl Dickens: Administrative Services Assistant, Center for Wellbeing
- Yvonne Dunham Slobodenko: Coordinator ESL Institute, Center for Global Education
- Crystal Edenfield: Director, Student Support Services
- Samuel Elder: Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions
- Katherine Elverd: Music Therapy Program Director, Music
- Rebekah Epperson: Clery Act Compliance Officer Coordinator, UTC Police Department
- Trey Forsti: Client Services Technician, Client Services
- Alycia Fogle Franklin: Clinical Associate Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
- Randy Golson: Lecturer, Communications
- Anita Greenwell: Senior Library Associate I, Library
- Karlie Grey: LDA IT Security Analyst, Client Services
- Rita Groh: Associate Lecturer, Political Science and Public Service
- Kenneth Guthrie: Director of Procurement and Contract Administration, Procurement and Contract Services
- Jerold Hale: Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor, Office of the Provost
- Austin Harris: Director of Operations and Chief Engineer, Research Institute
- Nicholle Harrison: Learning and Development Consultant, Office of Human Resources
- Brendan Harvey: Network Engineer, Client Services
- Danielle Hawkins: Senior Coordinator, Gear Up
- Amy Hitchcock: Coordinator of Projects and Administrative Services, Access and Engagement
- Erica Holmes Trujillo: Director of the Hub, Student Success Center
- Ashley Howell: Assistant Professor, Psychology
- Tish Hubbard: Associate Director Of SOS, Student Outreach and Support
- Alexis Hurley: Coordinator Administrative Projects and Services, Office of the Provost
- Mark Johnson: Assistant Professor, History
- Tate Johnson: Production Director Creative and Live Events, Digital Media Services
- Max Jordon: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy
- Sarah Kantor: Assistant Professor Studio L, Library
- Erkan Kaplanoglu: Associate Professor and Interim Department Head, Engineering Management and Technology
- Shari Kappel: Administrative Specialist I, Management
- Francine King: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Ashley Ledford: Director of Pre-Award Services, Research and Sponsored Programs
- Julie Ann Legg: Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Education
- Derek Liuzzo: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy
- Tonya Love: Director of University Events, Office of the Chancellor
- Thomas Lyons: Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
- Julie Madden: Associate Lecturer, Psychology
- Keith Mayes: Regional Admissions Counselor, Undergraduate Admissions
- Mandy McAllister: Administrative Specialist I, Student and Family Engagement
- Shaquanda McCallie: Associate Director Of Business Affairs, Housing Administration
- Anthony McClellan: Executive Director Facilities Operations, Administration
- Emma McDonell: Assistant Professor, Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
- Megan McKnight: Director, Center for Wellbeing
- Mandy McWeeney: Administrative Associate III, Electrical Engineering
- George Merriman: Security Officer, UTC Police Department
- Monica Miles: Associate Lecturer, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Harlee Milligan: Clinical Assistant Professor, Social Work
- Leslie Moro: Assistant Professor, Nursing
- Annette Morrison: Assistant Bursar Fees, Bursar’s Office
- Michael Myers: Surplus Manager, Procurement and Contract Services
- Patrick Noland: SET Web Development Specialist, Strategic Enrollment Technology
- Carolyn Padalino: Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy
- Dennis Parker: Underwriting Manager, WUTC Radio
- Brooke Persons: Assistant Professor, Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
- Jason Peter: Assistant Professor and Jackson Chair, Nursing
- Stephanie Philipp: Assistant Professor, School of Education
- Chang Phuong: Associate Lecturer, Computer Science
- Joseph Pizzo: Assistant Head Coach, Football
- David Pleins: Assistant Director, Walker Center for Teaching and Learning
- Brandon Pratt: Project Support Specialist Logistics, Administration
- Thomas Quillin: Strategic Enrollment Technology Specialist, Strategic Enrollment Technology
- Alex Quinlan: Lecturer, English
- Ruth Rachal: Student Services and Building Assistant, South Campus Residence Life
- Reetesh Ranjan: Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Regis Richard: Coordinator II, UTC Children’s Center
- Rachel Riehle: Senior Employment Specialist, Office of Human Resources
- Clair Roth: Housing Security Officer, UTC Police Department
- Nilesh Sah: Associate Professor, Finance
- Wendy Salazar: Administrative Support Assistant III, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Lucy Schultz: Associate Lecturer, Philosophy
- Leslie Sheppard: Academic Advisor, Administration and Support Staff
- Zachary Simoni: Assistant Professor, Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
- Stormy Sims: Senior Academic Advisor, Academic Support and Advisement
- Morgan Smith: Associate Professor, Social, Cultural and Justice Studies
- Richard Spradling: Assistant Coach, Football
- Patrice Stargell: Custodian Lead Tech, Housing Facilities
- Cindy Strine: Director, Campus Recreation
- James Tanner: Lecturer, Communication
- Khalid Tantawi: Assistant Professor, Engineering Management and Technology
- Latisha Toney: Assistant Professor, Nursing
- Hannah Turcotte: Assistant Director, Student and Family Engagement
- Christy Waldrep: Assistant to the Provost, Office of the Provost
- Chuck Wasserstrom: Director of Communications, Communications and Marketing
- Juliet Watkins: Custodian, Housing Facilities
- Monica Watson: Administrative Associate III, Counseling Center
- Joel Wells: Registrar, Registrar’s Office
- Marcus Williams: Assistant Dotbairector of Housing Facilities Maintenance, Housing Administration
- Mike Yeager: Assistant Coach, Football
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