Chattanooga Rotary Club President Edna Varner and Chancellor Lori Bruce helped show off a “Power C” at the July 17, 2025, Rotary Club meeting. Photo by Sam Blevins.
In her first major public address as chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Dr. Lori Bruce delivered a powerful and inspiring speech to a packed house at the Chattanooga Rotary Club meeting Thursday, July 17, held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The audience included regional leaders, alumni and community partners eager to hear her early priorities for UTC.
Bruce explored UTC’s historical identity as a “Light Upon a Hill” and called for bold, purposeful partnerships to guide the University and community into the future. She emphasized UTC’s commitment to academic excellence, accessibility and community engagement, highlighting more than $400 million in new and ongoing capital projects.
Bruce outlined an ambitious vision that included growing enrollment to 15,000 students by 2030, enhancing research as a tool for innovation, increasing student engagement through activities such as athletic events, and elevating UTC as a sought-after destination among public universities.
She also underscored the power of partnerships and encouraged Rotarians to join her in shaping Chattanooga’s future through collaboration with UTC.
Click here for some local media coverage from the meeting.
Photos by Clara Paulson
