A lot of great things happened at UTC during the 2025 calendar year. We celebrated student and faculty research, welcomed new faces (including Chancellor Lori Bruce), broke ground on new buildings and commemorated big wins. With so much happening across campus, the UTC newsroom published 427 stories over the course of the year. Here are our top 20 personal favorites in chronological order of website publication.
John “Art” Phillips Sales Institute established at UTC with gift from Phillips family
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has announced that its sales institute in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business will be named the John “Art” Phillips Sales Institute, honoring the late entrepreneur, extraordinary salesman and business leader.
UTC researchers and Hamilton County educators turn NSF project into hydrogen energy publication
Two University of Tennessee at Chattanooga chemical engineering professors—Dr. Rahul Bhosale and Dr. Bradley Harris—and a pair of Hamilton County educators have co-authored a research paper published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, one of the field’s leading academic journals.
Firsts and finish lines: UTC celebrates fall 2025 commencement
The Graduate School commencement took place Friday, Dec. 12, recognizing students who earned advanced degrees across UTC’s academic programs.
“I will forever be grateful”: Psychology student Kristopher Ware finds opportunity and mentorship at UTC
Kristopher Ware can trace much of his growth at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to the conversations that happened after class. When he earns his bachelor’s degree in psychology, Ware will carry with him the confidence built through his accomplishments, the power of mentorship and a deep appreciation for his field.
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.
Charles in charge: Storyteller turns his UTC student experience into a career
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.
Promises kept: Graduation means Shari Warren can say ‘I did it’
Recovering from heart surgery while working full time and keeping up with her grandkids’ sporting events, Thanksgiving and holiday shopping has made the end of Shari Warren’s year hectic. On top of it all, she has been taking her final exams and preparing for Saturday, Dec. 13, the day she graduates from the University of…
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.