When Charles Kemp walks across the McKenzie Arena stage at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, he’ll be thinking about how far he’s come—both as a student and as a storyteller.
Hard work, late nights and an unshakable dream: Julio Gonzalez’s road to commencement
Julio Gonzalez will cross the McKenzie Arena stage on Saturday, Dec. 13, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science. At 32 years old, it’s a walk that has been years in the making—driven by sheer determination.
Crossing the finish line: UTC to celebrate fall 2025 commencement
On Dec. 12-13, UTC will celebrate fall commencement at McKenzie Arena, honoring the accomplishments of approximately 670 undergraduates and 160 graduate students earning their degrees. Many of the 198 undergraduate and 95 graduate students who completed their degrees in August are also expected to return to campus to join in the celebration.
Jermaine Freeman named executive director of economic and workforce development
Jermaine Freeman has been appointed executive director of economic and workforce development, a new leadership position created to strengthen UTC’s role in regional talent development and economic progress.
Zine scene: UTC students share research and creativity through handmade pages
Students from five University of Tennessee at Chattanooga classes filled the UTC Library’s Roth Reading Room on a recent Thursday evening for a collaborative zine fest, an event showcasing projects from courses taught by UC Foundation Professor and Associate Department Head of English Sybil Baker, Assistant Professor of Sociology Natalie Blanton, Associate Professor of History Susan Eckelmann and Assistant Professor of Anthropology Emma McDonell.
UTC’s Master’s in Engineering Management program is first in Tennessee to earn prestigious ASEM certification
UTC has made history as the first university in Tennessee to have its Master of Science in Engineering Management program certified by the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM). The recognition places UTC among an elite group as one of only 15 programs certified—and only the second in the Southeast—to meet ASEM’s rigorous graduate program standards.
Culture, community and 200 tamales
Two very interesting and successful activities celebrating the Día de los Muertos holiday brought together numerous groups—and a UTC undergraduate who spent years cooking in New York City kitchens, including some of the most competitive in the world.
Zibin Guo’s next chapter: Empowerment in motion from Chattanooga to Bangladesh
When Dr. Zibin Guo talks about movement, he’s not just talking about tai chi. He’s talking about “humanity in motion, the way strength, beauty and grace can exist even in moments of vulnerability.” Guo recently traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, at the invitation of UNESCO’s International Centre of Martial Arts for Youth Development and Engagement (UNESCO-ICM) to co-lead a five-day Wheelchair/Adaptive Tai Chi training program for health care providers and community advocates.
UTC’s Betsy Myers and Brandalyn Shropshire named to All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff team
Dr. Betsy Myers and Brandalyn Shropshire from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have been named to the 2025-2026 All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team. Both honorees will be formally recognized later this academic year, when Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross presents them with engraved plaques during the Mocs men’s basketball game on Jan. 21, 2026, vs. ETSU.
Heart healthy: UTC project expands rural heart health outreach through state partnership
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) to expand access to cardiovascular care for older adults in rural Southeast Tennessee. Building on the success of the University’s MobileMOC program, the new initiative—titled “Connecting Community Partners: Breaking Down Barriers to Heart Health”—is designed to connect senior centers, local providers and community resources to help older adults monitor and manage their blood pressure while learning practical ways to maintain heart health.