Mark Schorr
Mark Schorr and Christopher Stokes from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have been selected to the 2021-2022 All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team.
Schorr and Stokes joined representatives selected from each of the 10-member schools in the conference. Award recipients will receive an engraved plaque presented by Southern Conference Commissioner Jim Schaus at a home men’s basketball game early next year.
While selections at the individual Southern Conference schools are left to each institution’s discretion, all recipients share the common characteristics of demonstrated service to the institution through vital contributions in teaching, research, service and campus life.
Schorr, a UC Foundation professor in the Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, joined the UTC faculty in 1994. His primary research lies in stream-fish ecology with an emphasis on water pollution issues and population/community ecology.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Southern Conference and UTC with this prestigious award,” Schorr said. “My teaching and research efforts at UTC are dedicated to engaging students and collaborating with colleagues in the area of stream fish ecology. There are no finer students, faculty and staff than those at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“I also would like to thank the large number of individuals at other institutions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and TVA, who have supported me in my teaching and research over the last 27 years.”
Christopher Stokes
Research conducted by Schorr and his students on the effectiveness of stream restoration projects in urban environments in and around Chattanooga was recently featured in the fall 2021 issue of UTC Magazine.
Stokes, the University’s assistant director of multicultural affairs and National Pan-Hellenic Council advisor, has worked for UTC since 2004, starting as a resident director with the University Residence Life department. Through his work experience, he has ties to the student-athlete community.
Stokes’ primary roles with UTC have been to engage and prepare underrepresented students for the rigors of postsecondary entry, persistence and advancement. Before taking on his current post, he worked in the Upward Bound Math Science program and Student Support Services.
A first-generation college graduate, Stokes earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from UTC in 2003.
“I truly appreciate the nomination and am humbled to be recognized by the Southern Conference,” Stokes said. “When people think of Mocs they think of our student-athletes. But many only see them as that, and they are so much more; they are a major part of the UTC story. I’ve just been honored to be a part of their collegiate journey.”
Past UTC recipients of Southern Conference faculty and staff awards include Mike Jones (2015-2016); Gretchen Potts and Lisa Tarr (2016-2017); Valerie Rutledge and Emily Quinn (2017-2018); Jamie Harvey and Melanie Ribaric (2018-2019); Debbie Ingram and Terry Denniston (2019-2020); and Chris Smith and Endia Butler (2020-2021).
Southern Conference 2021-2022 honorees
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Mark Schorr and Christopher Stokes
- The Citadel: Kevin Skenes and Stephanie Fye
- East Tennessee State University: Natalie Smith and Jeff Shell
- Furman University: Scott Murr and Brad Harmon
- Mercer University: Chris Grant and Rick Cameron
- University of North Carolina-Greensboro: Chris Kepley and Zach Smith
- Samford University: Larry Harper and James Carlson
- Virginia Military Institute: Col. James A. Coale and David Copeland
- Western Carolina University: Alvin Malesky and Roger Turk
- Wofford University: Jameica B. Hill and Jeff Burney
