UTC Chancellor Lori Bruce is the 19th leader of the University. Portrait by Dan Henry/UTC.
The University of Tennessee System today announced that Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been appointed to the Board of Governors of UT‑Battelle, the nonprofit partnership that has managed and operated the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) since 2000. UT‑Battelle is jointly owned by the University of Tennessee and Battelle Memorial Institute.
Dr. Bruce, appointed as UTC’s 19th chancellor effective June 30, 2025, brings nearly three decades of leadership experience in academic affairs, research growth and strategic planning. As provost at Tennessee Technological University, she significantly expanded research funding from $16 million to more than $46 million and launched major infrastructure and faculty development initiatives.
Her appointment to the UT‑Battelle Board of Governors adds her voice to the leadership overseeing one of the nation’s premier research institutions. UT‑Battelle plays a central role in advancing U.S. scientific leadership, fostering partnerships with UT System campuses, and supporting science education outreach — including millions of dollars in contributions to local schools and institutions.
“Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a cornerstone of American innovation, and I am honored to support its mission,” Bruce said. “Serving on the UT-Battelle Board of Governors is an opportunity to strengthen the connections between world-class research and real-world impact. I’m especially excited about what this means for our students — and to open new pathways to discovery, education and service to Tennessee and the nation.”
Chancellor Bruce’s new board role aligns with UT-Battelle’s mission to integrate academic, research and community engagement across Tennessee. As a UTC chancellor committed to innovation and excellence, she is well‑positioned to help guide the organization’s impact in education, research and service.
“Dr. Bruce brings a distinguished record of academic leadership and scientific achievement to the board,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “Her expertise in research and innovation will be an asset as we continue to support the critical work taking place at ORNL.”
Chancellor Bruce joins a distinguished board responsible for governance, strategic oversight and long‑term planning of ORNL operations in partnership with the UT System and Battelle.
Her appointment underscores the UT System’s commitment to elevating research collaboration and educational opportunities across its campuses—and further strengthens the alignment between UTC’s mission and ORNL’s statewide science priorities.
About the University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls about 62,000 students statewide; produces about 14,000 new graduates every year; and represents almost 497,000 alumni around the world.
