Guests, including Provost Jerold Hale and Vice Chancellor Artanya Wesley, applaud during the 2025 UTC Service Awards Luncheon. Photo by Angela Foster.
As part of this year’s Founder’s Week festivities, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga honored 194 employees during its Service Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The event celebrated milestone anniversaries ranging from five to 55 years of service.
“This week, we’re celebrating our 139th birthday as a University,” Chancellor Lori Bruce said in her address to the audience. “Today we’re here to celebrate you. We’re here to celebrate your achievement and your dedication to UTC.”
Bruce, who joined UTC as chancellor over the summer, said what has stood out most to her is the people who make UTC what it is.
“Each of us is an ambassador for the University. We’re ambassadors inside the campus and outside the campus,” she said.
UT System President Randy Boyd shared his congratulations through a video message.
“Milestones like these remind us of the incredible people, like all of you, who show up every day helping us accomplish our mission to serve Tennessee and live our shared Be One UT values,” Boyd said..
From left: Dr. Gary McDonald, retired UC Foundation associate professor of mechanical engineering; Chancellor Lori Bruce; and Dr. Jocelyn Sanders, professor of music.
Five of this year’s honorees have dedicated more than four decades to UTC, including Dr. Gary McDonald, a UC Foundation associate professor of mechanical engineering who recently retired from the University after 40 years of service, and Dr. Jocelyn Sanders, a professor of music who retired after 45 years.
The other long-serving honorees were Dr. Parthasarati Dileepan, professor of management (40 years); Terry Walters, professor of mathematics (40 years); and Dr. Ralph Hood, professor of psychology (55 years).
“It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long,” McDonald said about his 40 years at UTC. “I just retired June 30th, so I started when I was 30 years old and now I’m 70.”
He said he has admired seeing the progress UTC has made over the last four decades.
“The University has changed a lot, the campus footprint,” he said. “The students are basically the same. Good students are good students.
“I’ve always enjoyed teaching. I enjoyed my time here at UTC, but this is a younger man’s and woman’s game. It’s time to let go and let other people do it.”
Sanders said the milestone marked the culmination of an entire career.
“Forty-five years … It was my whole career. Everything I’ve done professionally was either at UTC or in Chattanooga,” Sanders said. “It’s an awful lot to look at all at once, so I have to look at it in episodes.”
Looking back, Sanders said what stands out most is the freedom and fulfillment she found at UTC.
“I was able to do everything I wanted to do here. I was able to finish my education. I was able to teach what I wanted to teach. I’m a musician, so I was able to play what I wanted to play and collaborate with colleagues who were just incredible artists,” she said. “I was able to do some administrative work. I was able to do everything I wanted to do. It was just a wonderful opportunity every step of the way.”
Chancellor Lori Bruce and Sandra Jones, dean’s assistant/budget manager in the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies.
For many honorees, the ceremony provided a moment of reflection on how much has changed—and how much has stayed the same—through the years.
Dr. Linda Hill, who marked 20 years in the UTC School of Nursing, recalled her early days teaching live broadcast classes from Fletcher Hall to students in Tupelo, Mississippi.
“It was the early days of that education way before Zoom ever existed,” Hill said. “The entire simulation program for the School of Nursing has really expanded. It’s been great to be part of that growth.”
College of Health, Education and Professional Studies Dean Valerie Rutledge, a UTC alum now celebrating 30 years working for the University, has watched the campus “almost quadruple in size” since first joining as an undergraduate.
“It’s been fun to watch the University become what it is and to develop and grow in a way that really speaks to the investment in the community,” Rutledge said. “I think it’s fabulous.”
Her longtime assistant, Sandra Jones—who has been at UTC for 35 years—said she has seen many changes since joining the University.
“I started out in food services and then went to parking services. Then I went to work in the School of Education for Dr. Rutledge. When she went to the dean’s office, I moved to the dean’s office with her,” Jones said. “It’s been a wonderful 35 years.”
Chancellor Lori Bruce and Assistant Professor of Sociology Darrell Walsh.
Also celebrating 35 years was Dr. Darrell Walsh, an assistant professor of sociology who described the milestone celebration as “surreal.”
He reflected on his five-year Service Awards Luncheon, where employees who served more than 20 years received a UTC-branded bag.
“I looked at that and I thought, ‘Man, I want a bag,’” Walsh said. “I wasn’t really sure if I would be here for 20 years, but I really have enjoyed my journey.”
He pointed to a Confucius quote that was included in the event’s program: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
“I think that characterizes my experience,” Walsh said.
For others, the milestone came with gratitude for the people around them.
Terrence Banks, associate director of recruitment and engagement, said his 10 years at UTC have been shaped by support.
“I feel like I’ve grown so much at UTC and got so much help,” said Banks, a 2013 UTC graduate. “Being able to pour that energy back into the students that we recruit and the individuals we get to work with, it is just a beautiful feeling.”
Assistant Vice Chancellor Laure Pou, who helps organize the Service Awards Luncheon, was recognized for 15 years of service.
Laure Pou, assistant vice chancellor for human resources, has helped host the ceremony for years and was honored herself for 15 years of service.
“I’ve been a part of hosting this event and emceeing it for at least 10 of those 15 years,” Pou said. “It’s not often you get a chance to stop and just dedicate time to recognition and those that have committed their careers to the University. It’s always uplifting.”
For Mike Andrews, executive video producer, 15 years has meant watching the campus and his own role evolve.
“A lot of changes, a lot of progress, but also kind of a common thread going through it all about people who care for people,” Andrews said. “It has really been amazing from the beginning because by being in this position, you get to see the best of people of what they aspire to do and seeing them really achieve it.”
Carla Mason, a senior custodian celebrating 10 years, expressed what it’s like working in a campus community.
“It’s been so fulfilling for me helping people and just being me, letting my light shine for Christ,” Mason said. “When I came, I came with a purpose to help and to heal. We all are family.”
Chancellor Lori Bruce and senior custodian Carla Mason.
5-Year Service Awards
- Kim Au: Buyer, Procurement and Contract Services
- Hannah Barger: Lecturer, Nursing
- Sherah Basham: Assistant Professor, Social, Cultural and Criminal Justice
- Coleman Beaty: HVAC Assistant Controls Technician, Repairs and Maintenance
- Telisha Bonds: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Katelynn Buchanan: Associate Director of New Student Orientation, Undergraduate Admissions
- Cheyanne Camp: Pitching Softball Assistant, Women’s Softball
- Anthony Cepak: Assistant Professor, Communications
- Keenan Dungey: Professor and Department Head, Chemistry
- Sarah Edgar: Assistant Director, Client Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Megan England: Assistant Professor, Nursing
- Stephanie Eton: Associate Professor of Practice, Physical Therapy
- Vicki Farnsworth: Vice Chancellor and CIO, Information Technology AVC
- Cathy Jackson: Manager, Testing Center, Academic and Instructional Research
- Christopher Johnson: Sr. Instructional Designer, Walker Center for Teaching and Learning
- Ashley Jones: Lead Teacher, Children’s Center
- Nora Ketron: Assistant Professor of Practice, Library
- Claudia Kramer: Professor and Chair, School of Business Administration
- Ziwei Ma: Assistant Professor, Mathematics
- Derek Massey: Carpenter and Painting Specialist, Repairs and Maintenance
- Nicolas Maynard: Access Coordinator, Disability Resource Center
- Marissa McElrone: Assistant Professor, Health and Human Performance
- Kathryn Mortensen: Associate Director, Housing and Residence Life
- Christopher Plouffe: Endowed Chair in Sales, Marketing
- Logan Rader: HR Administrative Support Specialist, Office of Human Resources
- Pam Riggs-Gelasco: Dean and Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Emily Rosenquist: Assistant Director, Center for Women and Gender Equity
- Justina Roth: Police Dispatcher I, Campus Law Enforcement
- Yunye Shi: Assistant Professor, Engineering-Mechanical
- Sedrick Snowden: Financial Analyst, Budget and Finance Office
- Prashant Srivastava: Associate Professor, Marketing
- Brandee Strickland: Associate Lecturer, Languages
- Bret Swenson: Programmer Analyst, Information Technologies AVC
- Joanne Tetzner: Banner Systems Coordinator, Registrar
- Kimberly Thomas: Administrative Service Assistant, Occupational Therapy
- Kimberly Thomas: Director, College of Business Student Success, School of Business Administration
- Frank Tudini: Professor, Physical Therapy
- Christopher Turner: Building Trades Assistant Superintendent, Repairs and Maintenance
- Laura Tyndall: Assistant Professor, Nursing
- Serkan Varol: Assistant Professor, Engineering Management Technology
- Ruth Walker: Assistant Professor, Psychology
- Yingfeng Wang: Associate Professor, Computer Science
- Corey Ward: Police Officer, Campus Law Enforcement
- Evan Wilson: Assistant AD For Sports Medicine, Athletics
- David Wood: IT Administrator, Telecommunication Services
- Meng Zeng: Senior Financial Analyst, Budget and Finance Office
10-Year Service Awards
- Shanae Anderson: Administrative Associate III, Engineering Management Technology
- Terrence Banks: Associate Director Of Recruitment, Undergraduate Admissions
- Kelsey Battles: Facilities Business Analyst, Administration-Physical Plant
- Christopher Beavers: Accounting Assistant II, Administration-Physical Plant
- Jean Betters: Work Control Coordinator, Administration-Physical Plant
- Martyn Blankley: Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach, Athletics
- Kim Bowman: Processing Manager, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Stacy Chapman: Circulation Day Supervisor, Library
- Courtney Crittenden: Associate Professor, Social, Cultural and Criminal Justice
- Eunice Davis: International Student Advisor, International Education
- Evie Deal: Research and Technology Specialist, Library
- Laneeta Derrick: Administrative Support Assistant III, Multicultural Affairs
- Sarah Einstein: Associate Professor, English
- Shannon Goodwin: Accounting Assistant III, Housing and Residence Life
- Jessica Hackathorne: OT Program Director, Occupational Therapy
- James Haney: Police Sergeant, Campus Law Enforcement
- Bradley Harris: Associate Professor, Engineering-Chemical
- Russell Helms: Senior Lecturer, English
- Rob Henry: Project Coordinator, Administration-Physical Plant
- Brittney Holder: Associate Senior Director of Development, UT Foundation
- Eric Hungenberg: Department Head and Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance
- Rodney Jones: Student Services Building Assistant, Housing and Residence Life
- Joseph Jordan: Associate Professor, English
- Levi Lanzoni: Operations Coordinator, Challenger Center
- Reinhold Mann: Vice Chancellor for Research, VC for Research
- Carla Mason: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Jessica McCarthy: Associate Lecturer, English
- Gavin McKinney: Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Athletics
- Becky Miller: Nurse Practitioner, University Health Services
- Charlie Mix: Director, VC for Research
- Betsy Myers: Associate Professor, Physical Therapy
- Toya Nixon: Purchasing Specialist, Procurement and Contract Services
- Elizabeth Pearce: Associate Lecturer, English
- Christina Policastro: Associate Professor and Interim Assistant Dean, Social, Cultural and Criminal Justice
- Charlene Ragland: Assistant Director and Deputy ADA Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility
- Joanne Romagni: Professor, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Steven Shelton: Associate Professor, Library
- Daniel Shropshire: Assistant Director, Housing Facilities Operations, Housing and Residence Life
- Elizabeth Smith: Financial Aid Coordinator, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Carl Springer: Professor, Humanities
- Takeo Suzuki: Executive Director, International Education
- Annie Tracy Samuel: Associate Professor, History
- Spencer Usrey: Associate Professor, Accounting
- Darin Van Horn: Assistant Coach, Women’s Volleyball
- Joel Wands: Program Leader, Fire and Life Safety, Safety
- Oren Whightsel: Associate Lecturer, English
15-Year Service Awards
- Callie Adams: Senior Lecturer, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Erika Alfaro: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Michael Andrews: Executive Producer, Communications and Marketing
- Bo Baker: Associate Professor and Department Head, Library
- Nominanda Barbosa: Senior Lecturer and Lab Coordinator, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Mark Bradley-Shoup: Associate Lecturer, Art
- Keith Bridges: Director, Educational Opportunity Center
- Amy Brock-Hon: Professor and Associate Head, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Eddrick Brooks: Club Sports Coordinator, Campus Recreation
- Belinda Brownlee: Director, Upward Bound
- Libby Byers: Senior Lecturer, Psychology
- Angel Collier: Associate Professor, Nursing
- Jessica Etheredge: Associate Professor, Interior Design
- Lindsey Felix: Assistant AD, Academic Enhancement, Athletics
- Rachel Griffin: Lead Teacher, Children’s Center
- Matthew Holzmacher: Deputy Chief of Police, Campus Law Enforcement
- Victor Howell: Associate Director of Procurement and Contract Services, Procurement and Contract Services
- Katherine Karl: Professor and Department Head, Management
- Irina Khmelko: Professor, Political Science
- Katherine Kinnear: Senior Lecturer, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- John Lee: Professor, Chemistry
- Rebecca Littleton: DPT Program Coordinator, Physical Therapy
- Andrew McCarthy: Associate Professor and Department Head, English
- Billy Millican*: Associate Lecturer, School of Education
- Abdul Ofoli: Professor and Interim Department Head, Engineering-Electrical
- Jessica Pierce: Director of Enrollment and Advisement, Health and Human Performance
- Laure Pou: Assistant Vice Chancellor, Office of Human Resources
- Scott Sammons: Carpenter Foreman, Repairs and Maintenance
- Nur Sisworahardjo: Associate Professor, Engineering-Electrical
- Abbie Ventura: Associate Professor and Associate Head, English
- Jamie Walden: Executive Director, Enterprise Systems, Information Technologies AVC
- Baley Whary: Research Integrity Compliance Officer, IRB/IACUC, Office of Research Integrity
- Yuping Ying: Coordinator of Assessment, College of Health, Education and Professional Studies
20-Year Service Awards
- Janelle Arambul: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Francesco Barioli: Associate Professor and Associate Department Head, Mathematics
- Ethan Carver: Associate Dean, Graduate School
- Trevor Elliott: Associate Professor, Engineering-Mechanical
- Nikki Ellis: Assistant Director, Accounting Services
- Ignatius Fomunung: Professor, Engineering-Civil
- Tammy Garland: Professor, Social, Cultural and Criminal Justice
- John Gordon: Associate Lecturer, Mathematics
- Morgan Grinstead: Applications Team Lead, Information Technologies AVC
- Kelli Hand: Senior Lecturer, Nursing
- Linda Hill: Professor and Coordinator, Nursing
- Lingju Kong: Professor, Mathematics
- Spring Kurtz: Lecturer, English
- Chad Littleton: Senior Lecturer, English
- Kelly Locke*: Accounting Specialist I, BGE, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Sara Peters: Director, Women’s Center, UTC Women and Gender Equity
- Skip Prather: Space Design Technician, Information Technologies AVC
- Angelique Ramnarine: Senior Lecturer, Mathematics
- Doris Roensch*: Administrative Specialist I, School of Education
- Aaron Shaheen: Professor, English
- Joey Shaw: Professor, Biology, Geology and Environmental Science
- Carrie Sherbesman: Director, New Student and Family Programs, Undergraduate Admissions
- Charlene Simmons: Associate Professor, Communications
- Gina Stafford*: Executive Director, Strategic Initiative Communications, Information Technology
- Patrick Sweetman: Senior Lecturer, Theatre and Speech
- Anne Wehunt: Assistant Director, Strategic Communications, Athletics
- Kris Whorton: Senior Lecturer, English
25-Year Service Awards
- April Anderson: Professional Advisor, Nursing
- Charles Berry*: Service Assistant I, Campus Services
- Brenda Black: Senior Custodian, Building Services
- Michelle Blackwell*: Accounting Assistant III, Health and Human Performance
- Harriet Chambers: Assistant Vice Chancellor, UT Foundation
- Gail Dawson*: Associate Professor, Management
- Kelly Griffin: Assistant Bursar, Student Loans, Bursar
- Hunter Huckabay: Director, Gear Up
- Ann Laster: Administrative Specialist II, Music
- Karen McGuffee: Professor, Social, Cultural and Criminal Justice
- Dana Moody: Professor, Interior Design
- Angie Morelock: Director of Award Services, Office of Partnerships and Sponsored Programs
- Nichole Orr: Academic Advisor, School of Business Administration
- Nikki Ownby: Advising Coordinator, School of Business Administration
- Michael Scott: Director, Infrastructure Services, Telecommunication Services
- Karen Vann: Director, Talent Search
- Barbara Webb*: IT Data Analyst, Information Technologies AVC
- Gary Wilkerson: Professor, Health and Human Performance
30-Year Service Awards
- Ron Buffington: Professor, Art
- Sandy Dodd: Associate Bursar, Bursar
- Nancy Fell: Professor and Department Head, Physical Therapy
- Lee Harris: Professor, Music
- Lance Keatley: Assistant Director, Infrastructure Operations, Telecommunication Services
- Burch Oglesby: Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance
- David Ross: Professor, Psychology
- Valerie Rutledge: Professor and Dean, College of Health, Education and Professional Studies
- Tracy Scott: Senior IT Technologist, Telecommunication Services
- Cindy Williams: Administrative Coordinator, Enrollment Services
35-Year Service Awards
- Earl Braggs: Professor, English
- Elizabeth Crawford: Professor and Department Head, Applied Leadership and Learning, LEAD
- Jamie Harvey*: Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance
- Sandra Jones: Business Manager, College of Health, Education and Professional Studies
- David Levine: Professor, Physical Therapy
- Greg O’Dea*: Professor, English
- Irven Resnick: Professor, Philosophy
- Darrell Walsh: Assistant Professor, Social, Cultural and Criminal Justice
- Ling Jun Wang*: Professor, Chemistry
40-Year Service Awards
- Parthasarati Dileepan: Professor, Management
- Gary McDonald*: Associate Professor, Engineering-Mechanical
- Terry Walters*: Professor, Mathematics
45-Year Service Award
- Jocelyn Sanders*: Professor, Music
55-Year Service Award
- Ralph Hood*: Professor, Psychology
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