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.
Ask, observe, connect: Finding answers that make an impact
“When a faculty member is actively practicing their discipline through research, the classroom benefits. Students benefit,” Chancellor Lori Bruce said. “When a student is getting to participate in the research and be at the cutting edge of their discipline, it’s even more powerful.”
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.
Inventanooga showcases student pitches from future innovators
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted its fourth annual Inventanooga competition on Thursday, Dec. 11, where middle and high school students pitched ideas to innovation leaders from the Chattanooga area.
A decade, four sisters and one University at fall 2025 commencement
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s fall commencement ceremonies were a time for families to celebrate their students’ hard work and accomplishments. Natale Mertens graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the fall 2025 commencement, joining her three sisters as UTC alumni.
UTC students learn the language of cybersecurity at Unum
Three recent graduates of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s accelerated BAS-IT CyS program spent the past year inside Unum, seeing how cybersecurity functions at one of the city’s largest employers and a Fortune 500 insurance company.
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.
“Sometimes, the right place finds you”: A student writer shares his UTC story
Matt McAllister spent the fall 2025 semester as a student writer in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Division of Communications and Marketing, completing his bachelor’s degree in communication. He is a 2021 graduate of Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
“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.