Vio Midgett’s research was driven by two childhood memories. The first came from the Japanese nursery rhymes her grandmother—who grew up on a United States Navy base in Japan—sang to her when she was a child. The other memory derives from her second-grade history textbook.
Writing the right way: UTC Composition Program receives national honor
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has received national recognition for doing something most universities do, but rarely do this well. The Department of English’s Composition Program has been awarded a 2025–26 Conference on College Composition and Communication Writing Program Certificate of Excellence—the highest honor given by the CCCC, a constituent organization within the National Council of Teachers of English.
UTC officially launches College of Nursing
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has officially launched the College of Nursing, elevating one of the University’s longest-standing and most impactful academic programs to college status. With nearly 1,000 students enrolled across undergraduate and doctoral programs, the College of Nursing becomes UTC’s fifth academic college.
Sisters saving lives
Sisters Amber Honea and Alexis Murray have found their place helping others. The UTC alums are working as nurses for their respective hospitals in Chattanooga. Honea, who received a BSN from UTC in 2014 and an MSN in 2021, is an acute care nurse practitioner with the pulmonology and critical care department at Erlanger Hospital. Murray, who earned a BSN in 2019, is currently enrolled in the DNP program and works at CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital Chattanooga as an ICU floating nurse.
Top 20 of ’25: A year’s worth of cheers
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.