Sisters Amber Honea and Alexis Murray have found their place helping others. The UTC alums are working as nurses for their respective hospitals in Chattanooga. Honea, who received a BSN from UTC in 2014 and an MSN in 2021, is an acute care nurse practitioner with the pulmonology and critical care department at Erlanger Hospital. Murray, who earned a BSN in 2019, is currently enrolled in the DNP program and works at CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital Chattanooga as an ICU floating nurse.
Inventanooga showcases student pitches from future innovators
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted its fourth annual Inventanooga competition on Thursday, Dec. 11, where middle and high school students pitched ideas to innovation leaders from the Chattanooga area.
A decade, four sisters and one University at fall 2025 commencement
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s fall commencement ceremonies were a time for families to celebrate their students’ hard work and accomplishments. Natale Mertens graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the fall 2025 commencement, joining her three sisters as UTC alumni.
Durand Henderson’s journey to community and opportunity at UTC
Durand Henderson has spent the last three years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga balancing life, work and school. He is now ready to walk across the McKenzie Arena stage on Saturday, Dec. 13, to receive a degree in business administration with a concentration in economics, along with minors in personal finance and political science.
From student to innovator: How Daniel Duggin transformed AI at UTC
Graduate student Daniel Duggin has made his mark at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga by helping develop campus policies on artificial intelligence. Pursuing a Master of Computer Science and graduating on Friday, Dec. 12, the Medina, Tennessee, native knew he was seeking something different in his college experience.
Let’s make a deal: UTC business students simulate sales meetings
Students in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga recently practiced real-world sales pitches to build confidence and develop professional skills. Lecturer Libby Fakier organized the week-long exercise to practice pitches through a simulated meeting.
Robots invade the UTC Challenger STEM Learning Center
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted students from Sale Creek Middle High School at the Challenger STEM Learning Center to showcase a new fleet of robots. Tennessee Valley Robotics donated 15 robots—supported by the Tennessee Valley Authority and Volkswagen—to the center. Hamilton County Schools also donated laptops for students to code their robots.
Making waves: Disciplines collide in inaugural “Athletes vs. Engineers” Tennessee River race
On the choppy waters of the Tennessee River, onlookers watched UTC rowers race a student-built concrete canoe against a traditional rowing shell. On Nov. 16, the “Athletes vs. Engineers” event showcased the skills of the UTC Department of Civil Engineering and UTC Rowing Team in a 500-meter race.
Leaping into research: UTC graduate students study lemur behavior at the Tennessee Aquarium
Dr. Hope Klug, UC Foundation and Guerry professor in the UTC Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science, has partnered with the aquarium for the past 14 years. As part of her environmental statistics course, her students are studying the relationship between animal behavior and the space used in microhabitats.
Prospective UTC students explore campus life during Blue and Gold Preview Day
Blue and Gold Preview Day, UTC’s comprehensive open house, took place Saturday, Nov. 15. Blue and Gold provides prospective students with a broad introduction to campus life, admissions, housing and scholarships.









