It started at Thanksgiving dinner. Megan Cales watched her partner’s 5-year-old son—who is autistic—struggle to manage his voice in a noisy room full of family. She searched online for a discreet, wearable tool that might help him self-regulate. Nothing existed. She made a mental note and moved on. Then, an email from the University of…
UTC Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship celebrates $5 million naming gift from Max Fuller
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga received an exceptional gift from alumnus and successful local entrepreneur Max Fuller to name the center at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, the Max Fuller Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This $5 million gift will further the center’s mission to inspire discovery, innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives at UTC and the entrepreneurship community in Chattanooga and beyond.
Inspiring innovation: UTC’s signature research conference brings campus and community together
The Spring Research and Arts Conference returns on Wednesday, April 9, continuing its tradition of showcasing student and faculty research, innovation and creativity. Presented by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor, the conference highlights the breadth and depth of research happening at UTC—featuring more than 650 presenters and 320 unique research projects throughout the day.
UTC mini-grants pushing research from concept to creation
All MOCS Innovate! grant recipients will present their work at the inaugural MOCS Innovate! UTC Innovators Showcase during the Spring Research and Arts Conference on Wednesday, April 9.
UTC theatre students take center stage in national social venture competition
A social entrepreneurship team comprised of two UTC theatre students has been selected to compete in the Hult Prize 2025 United States National Competition—a contest challenging students to develop innovative business solutions for global issues. Senior Pearson Smith—UTC’s first theatre entrepreneurship major—and junior Harrison Faulkner, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in theatre, will represent the University at the Hult International Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on March 21-22.
Inspiring students to inspire others: Urban Vision Initiative providing community impact
Providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed, UTC’s Urban Vision Initiative gives students the chance to work with, help and learn from local entrepreneurs self-identified as low-income. Launched in 2022, the initiative connects entrepreneurs from underserved communities with UTC student consultants to support their journey toward economic success.
Dr. Robert Dooley’s journey in coming home to lead, inspire and give back
Over the last 13 years, Dr. Robert Dooley has become a pivotal figure at UTC, steering the Gary W. Rollins College of Business to new heights and leaving an indelible mark on the University. Now, as he assumes the role of interim chancellor on Jan. 1, he is poised to continue shaping UTC’s future in profound ways.
Driving innovation: UTC marketing students help propel faculty research into the real world
At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, business students are gaining hands-on experience while helping faculty move their research into the marketplace. The UTC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship launched these roles to give students practical experience while bolstering UTC faculty research and commercialization efforts.
Students make their pitches at Fly! competition
The annual Fly! Mocs Business Competition for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students, a spring pitch competition “where a good idea and a strong pitch can earn you some cash and startup resources to move your business forward,” took place on Thursday, April 4, before a standing-room-only audience at the UTC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Mike Bradshaw named director of UTC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Mike Bradshaw is the new director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship after serving as the CIE’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence since 2021.