The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is proud to recognize the first recipients of the new Moc’s Golden Feather Award, Laura Livermore from the Center for Global Education and Farron Kilburn from the School of Nursing. The award honors staff members who go above and beyond to help make UTC a welcoming, innovative and student-focused place to work and learn.
The Moc’s Golden Feather Award, launched by the Office of Human Resources, highlights staff excellence in areas such as collaboration, innovation, leadership and commitment to the University’s mission.
Two staff members are selected every other month, with each honoree receiving a $1,000 monetary award, a $100 UTC Bookstore credit, eight hours of leave and special recognition at a future UTC athletic event.
From left: Dr. Takeo Suzuki, Chancellor Lori Bruce, Laura Livermore, Provost Jerold Hale and Eunice Davis (photo by Angela Foster)
Laura Livermore: Growing study abroad at UTC
As the assistant director of the Center for Global Education, Laura Livermore has played a transformative role in expanding UTC’s global footprint. Her dedication to helping students engage in international learning experiences has resulted in an impressive 10-25% annual increase in study abroad participation. Under her leadership, UTC celebrated the launch of its first cohort of students in summer research internships in Vietnam—an achievement that underscores her commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships.
Livermore was nominated by Dr. Takeo Suzuki, executive director of the Center for Global Education, who praised her as an instrumental force in “helping students broaden their horizons and deepen their academic and personal development through global engagement.”
Livermore’s strategic leadership and outreach have not only enhanced student experiences but also strengthened UTC’s global presence through partnerships with institutions abroad. One student captured the impact of her mentorship, saying, “I never thought studying abroad was something I could do. Laura not only helped me find a program that fit my goals and budget, but she also believed in me. That made all the difference.”
From left: Dr. Amber Roaché, Farron Kilburn, Provost Jerold Hale and Chancellor Lori Bruce
Farron Kilburn: Advancing nursing and community health
Farron Kilburn’s dedication to collaboration and educational innovation is evident through her instrumental role as project manager of the Clinical-Academic Partnerships (CAP) grant, which has elevated the preparation of nurse practitioner students to better serve underserved populations.
Her interdisciplinary focus and community-driven initiatives led to the launch of ChattCareConnector.org, a vital resource that connects Chattanoogans with free and low-cost health care services. Her passion for fostering creativity and engagement extends beyond health care, as demonstrated by her leadership in events like the Pink-Silo event—which highlights and celebrates local artistic talent.
Nominated by 15 colleagues, students and community partners, Kilburn’s impact was best summed up by a former student: “She is always helping students turn their ideas into action and pushes us to think about how we can create a positive change in our city.”
Submit your nominations
The success of the inaugural Mocs Golden Feather Awards sets the tone for an exciting new tradition recognizing staff excellence at UTC. Faculty, staff, students and community partners are invited to take part in the nomination process. Two staff members will be selected and announced every other month.
To learn more about the award and to submit a nomination, visit the Moc’s Golden Feather Award page.
