The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga celebrated Homecoming Week 2025 with a week full of events, activities and plenty of Halloween costumes.
The week culminated on Saturday, Nov. 1, with the Homecoming football game, where UTC fell to Western Carolina 35-28 in a nail-biter. During halftime festivities, Neel Patel and Carolina Shank were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
Patel, a senior chemistry major and member of the UTC Honors College’s Innovations in Honors program, is involved with the Asian Student Government Association and the Salvation Army.
The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native made UTC history on two fronts during this year’s Homecoming election.
“I’m the first-ever South Asian to win Homecoming king, and that was a big part of why I wanted to run,” Patel said. “I wanted to be that representation for others. Also, a chemistry major has never won either. That was double the motivation, double the passion. I was glad UTC reflected back on me the way UTC has poured into me.”
Patel said Student Support Services and the UTC Department of Chemistry feel like a second home to him.
“Melissa (Laseter) is literally a second mom to me,” he said. “I’m in there all the time. The chemistry department is so small and intimate, and all the professors know your name. Everyone knew I was running and they were all in support. It was really sweet. It’s like a tight little knit home here with those two places.”
Shank, a double major in mechanical engineering and criminal justice with a minor in mathematics, is scheduled to graduate in 2028. During her time at UTC, she has worked as a Chancellor’s Ambassador, a College of Engineering and Computer Science Ambassador, president of the Society of Women Engineers, treasurer of the UTC Mock Trial Team, treasurer of the Women’s Legal Caucus, and a Student Government Association (SGA) senator.
“I’m really grateful for all the clubs I’ve been involved in,” Shank said. “It’s definitely finding another family when you can really get involved in a club and you can find people who share the same passions as you. UTC has so many different support services. UTC is really the perfect place for anyone.”
Neel Patel (left) and Carolina Shank were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at the 2025 Homecoming game. Photo by Angela Foster.
Along with earning the title of Homecoming Queen, Shank was the recipient of the Public Service Award alongside Joshua Clay. Both received a $1,000 scholarship for their service to the UTC and Chattanooga community.
The Public Service Awards were presented by the UTC Alumni Board and the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
“I feel incredibly excited but more than that, I feel really grateful,” Shank said. “I’m really abundantly thankful for the community at UTC and for all the support. It’s such an honor.”
Clay, a senior accounting and integrated studies double major, serves as a Chancellor’s Ambassador, first-generation mentor, orientation leader, SGA senator, resident assistant, campus ambassador, and events manager in the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community.
“It’s an amazing feeling because it doesn’t feel like work when you’re doing what you love,” Clay said. “You’re helping other people by enhancing their lives while enhancing your life, too.
“To be recognized for that when nobody had to do that feels very genuine. I’m very enthusiastic.”
Click here to view the full Homecoming Week 2025 Flickr gallery.
Photo gallery by Angela Foster and Clara Paulson; videos by Sam Blevins, Jacob Lutsko and Mike Andrews
Joshua Clay (blue suit) and Carolina Shank were recognized with Public Service Awards at halftime of the Homecoming game. The awards were presented by Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Artanya Wesley and Claire Smith, president of the UTC Alumni Board of Directors.
