Laura Snyder has been involved with the UTC community for 18 years. Photo by Angela Foster.
Laura Snyder is the director of stewardship and donor events in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Division of Advancement. The division is responsible for cultivating relationships with alumni, donors and friends of the University through philanthropy, stewardship and meaningful events.
Though it may not sound like Snyder would be very involved in student life, she is well-known to the UTC community. Earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UTC and coming to the University as a full-time employee in 2013, Snyder has been involved at UTC for nearly 18 years.
In her current role, Snyder helps plan I Love UTC Week—an annual week-long event filled with fun activities. This year’s I Love UTC Week takes place Monday through Friday (March 31-April 4).
Snyder sat down to answer questions about her job and what I Love UTC Week is all about.
You’re a two-time graduate of UTC. What brought you back to work here?
“I got both my degrees from UTC’s College of Business—my undergrad in marketing and my MBA. As a student, I was really involved in Student Government Association, which helped me form relationships with faculty, staff and administrators. That’s when I started to see UTC as a great place to work as well.
“After finishing my MBA, I worked in event planning but knew I wanted to return to UTC. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but when my former boss in the Chancellor’s Office called about an opening, I jumped at the opportunity.
“I think it’s crazy that I get paid to do this work because I love it so much. This is a perfect fit and definitely where I’ve made a home.”
Can you describe your role as director of stewardship and donor events?
“I work in Advancement, which includes fundraising and alumni relations. My job is focused on stewardship—making sure donors feel thanked and recognized for their contributions—and events, which help engage both donors and alumni.
“For stewardship, some efforts are very high touch, like working to properly thank Gary Rollins for his $30 million gift—while others are more broad, like sending thank-you mailers or recognition pieces to annual donors.
“On the events side, we host everything from donor receptions before theater performances to UTC alumni events at Braves games.”
For those who may not be familiar with it, what is I Love UTC Week?
“It’s a chance to celebrate UTC—including the people, the traditions and the impact of being part of this University. We like to call it a mini spring homecoming. It’s designed to bring students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Chattanooga community together in a fun way.
“A lot of offices and departments help make it happen. The goal is to highlight everything that makes UTC great while creating opportunities for engagement.”
How are you involved with I Love UTC Week?
“I oversee I Love UTC Week through Advancement, but it’s a collaborative effort with a handful of people from across campus—athletics, the UTC Library, alumni relations, student affairs—who help plan and execute it.
“My office is behind some of the philanthropic aspects of the week. This year, we’re adding a thank-you note station at the kickoff event where students can write notes to donors. We also align our annual Scholarship Luncheon with I Love UTC Week, which is one of my favorite events. It’s where donors and scholarship recipients get to meet and it’s always a special moment.”
What are some of the biggest events during the week?
“The kickoff event on Monday sets the tone for the whole week. Last year, Campus Rec introduced a kickball game, which we’re bringing back, and we’ll have tables with swag, buttons and giveaways to get everyone in the spirit.
“Another big addition this year is the Scrappy’s Cupboard Food Drive. Scrappy’s Cupboard is always in need of donations, and this seemed like a great opportunity to highlight it and encourage people to contribute. There’s a giving link for those who want to donate money and an Amazon wishlist where people can purchase items that Scrappy’s Cupboard needs the most.
“We also have some fun, interactive events throughout the week. The library is hosting a photo booth and we’re bringing back Family Feud for students, faculty and staff.
“Aramark has gotten really involved this year and they’re doing something almost every day. They are doing a rubber duck scavenger hunt, a cookout and lots more.
“One of the newest things we added this year is business discounts at local spots. We reached out to businesses, explained what the week is about, and got eight to 10 local businesses to offer UTC-themed deals and perks.”
You don’t work directly with students in your role, but students seem to know and love you. Can you explain that relationship?
“That probably comes from my time in the Chancellor’s Office, where I was involved in a lot of campuswide events. I sent out emails about fun things—campuswide celebrations, free food events—so students associated my name with good news.
“I also work on the scholarship side of stewardship, which means I help connect student recipients with their donors. That’s been one of the most rewarding parts of this role.”
Why is it important to engage students in this way?
“Because they’re our future alumni. From an engagement perspective and a giving perspective, it’s important for students to see that donors help make their UTC experience possible.
“Students benefit from scholarships, campus improvements and opportunities that exist because of donor support. So part of this is about planting the seed early and showing them the impact philanthropy has on their experience and encouraging them to pay it forward when they’re in a position to do so.”
What do you hope people take away from I Love UTC Week?
“I think it can be really easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of life on a college campus. I hope people take this week as an opportunity to take a few minutes and sit back and think about all the things they love about UTC.
“I know it can be hard this time of year, but I really do think we have a great campus culture—and our students are the heart of that. To be able to celebrate that is an opportunity we don’t take advantage of enough.”
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View the full I Love UTC Week calendar here. Highlights include:
- Monday (March 31): Kickoff on Chamberlain Field, Chamberlain Field, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Monday (March 31): Rubber Duck Scavenger Hunt, Chamberlain Field, 11 a.m.
- Tuesday (April 1): Scrappy’s Market, Location TBD, Time TBD
- Wednesday (April 2): UTC Family Feud, Lupton Hall Room 120, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Thursday (April 3): Scrappy’s Showcase, McKenzie Arena, 8 p.m.
- Friday (April 4): Scholarship Luncheon, University Center Tennessee Room, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Saturday (April 5): Blue and Gold Preview, Location TBD, Time TBD
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Students at the Spring Fling as part of the 2024 I Love UTC Week.
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