With more than 370 stories published in the UTC Newsroom during the 2024 calendar year, it’s easy to say that a lot of good things happened for UTC students, faculty and staff this year. Picking out the top highlights—not so easy. Here are some of our favorites.
On a mission: First DNP nurse anesthesia cohort prepares to graduate
On Friday, Dec. 13, the first cohort of UTC’s DNP Nurse Anesthesia program will graduate. Transitioning from a master’s-level degree to a DNP in 2022, the program prepares graduates to begin working immediately as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
UTC’s Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building breaks ground
The future home of UTC’s School of Nursing, the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, broke ground on Monday, Nov. 4. Located at the corner of Palmetto and East 3rd streets, this new building will be approximately 90,000 square feet with state-of-the-art classrooms and a cutting-edge simulation lab. The new facility will also allow for a 152% enrollment increase in the School of Nursing, which currently accepts approximately 50% of applicants and turns down eligible students due to space and class size limitations.
UTC’s Megan McKnight honored by White House for leadership in opioid overdose prevention
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, UTC Center for Wellbeing Director Megan McKnight was invited to a Washington, D.C., summit hosted by the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC) and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose event honored McKnight and nearly 250 other stakeholders for expanding access to lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication and reducing preventable drug overdose deaths.
UTC’s May nursing graduates achieve 100% pass rate on licensure exam
Every May 2024 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate has passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on the first attempt, fulfilling the requirement for licensure as a registered nurse.
From field to future: UTC students learn real-world lessons from NFL player’s cardiac emergency
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is using real-life experiences to prepare its students for their future careers. A near NFL tragedy that unfolded during a national TV broadcast has been turned into a learning experience to educate and inspire the next generation of UTC health care workers, dietitians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists…
UTC sophomore Kynedi Jennings awarded $10,000 BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarship
Kynedi Jennings, a sophomore nursing major at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, was one of six Tennessee college students selected as recipients of the 2024 BlueCross Power of We Health Equity Scholarship, funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation.
Starting the school year right with the 2024 edition of Convocation
Convocation—the annual celebration of incoming students at UTC—was held on Friday, Aug. 16, at McKenzie Arena for the class of 2028. With the help of the Marching Mocs, Ladies of Gold and Spirit Squad, UTC welcomed its new students in style as music and dancing filled the arena throughout the program.
An accelerated year to remember: UTC’s first ABSN cohort celebrates graduation and new beginnings
Having conquered a rigorous three-semester, 59-credit-hour curriculum in just one year, the inaugural cohort of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program has officially crossed the finish line.
UTC’s top alumni honors announced for 2024
Dr. Ken Grubbs (’97, ’20), Roger Smith (’73) and Lily Sanchez (’16) have been recognized by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as the 2024 Distinguished Alumni, Outstanding Service and GOLD Excellence Award recipients, respectively.