The Graduate School commencement took place Friday, Dec. 12, recognizing students who earned advanced degrees across UTC’s academic programs.
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.
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.
If these walls could talk: Patten House
Uniquely situated in a place where campus and the Fort Wood Historic District overlap, the Patten House entered UTC history in 1948, when it was bequeathed to the University through the estate of its owner, Zeboim “Bome” Charles Patten. Shortly thereafter, the Music and Art departments were the first University occupants to utilize—and marvel at—the spacious interior of Patten’s former residence, known for many years as “Z. C. Patten Hall.”
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.
Ride along: Criminal justice student spends the summer at TBI
Ellie Yates does not take learning opportunities for granted. In fact, when the UTC graduate student started her summer internship at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Chattanooga office, she made it her mission to take part in as many experiences as possible.
New and improved UTC police cars hit the campus roads
UTC Police and Public Safety just got a new blue-and-gold look. The new vehicles—which include redesigned graphics and updated Mocs colors—were nearly a year in the making, according to UTC Chief of Police and Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Sean O’Brien.









