This week, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will celebrate its 265th commencement—with three McKenzie Arena ceremonies recognizing the Class of 2025. Commencement ceremonies will recognize approximately 1,300 undergraduates and 300 graduate students earning their degrees this semester.
Fly! Pitch competition awards $10K to UTC student entrepreneurs
The 2025 Fly! Mocs Business Pitch Competition gave UTC students a chance to present startup ideas to industry judges, competing for $10,000 in prizes provided by the Spencer Patton Foundation. Rizwaan Abdulkadir’s classroom tech startup “Parleii” won first place and $5,000, with other top projects including a waterproof bag and a custom 3D duck generator.
From behind the scenes to center stage: April Van Brunt finds her calling in the classroom
April Van Brunt, a mother of four and a nontraditional student in the UTC Master of Education: Elementary Education program, has spent the past year participating in the “Grow Your Own” initiative—which aims to help address the current teacher shortage and get more qualified teachers in classrooms. She now teaches kindergarten at Red Bank Elementary School and will graduate with honors during UTC’s Graduate School commencement on Friday, May 2.
Final reflection: A journey of growth, purpose and community
As a participant in ThinkAchieve, an experiential learning program at UTC, Destiny Pope was asked to write a personal reflection. For Pope, what started as a class requirement quickly became something more.
UTC chancellor finalists to participate in public forums
Finalists have been selected in the search for the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The finalists are scheduled to visit Chattanooga the week of April 28 to meet with faculty, staff, students and key community leaders. They will also participate in campus public forum sessions.
‘Chattanooga’s Forgotten’: UTC students call on City Hall for safer streets
After spending a year studying walkability in Chattanooga’s Oak Grove neighborhood, students in Dr. Chandra Ward’s class brought their findings to City Hall—asking officials to make the area’s streets safer and invest more fairly in underserved communities.
UTC sophomore heading to Taiwan after landing prestigious Critical Language Scholarship
UTC sophomore Vinny Nguyen is taking his passion for language, diplomacy and international engagement across the world. Nguyen, a double major in political science international/comparative studies and economics international public policy with a minor in Asian studies, has been selected for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Mandarin in Taiwan this summer. He will spend two months at Tamkang University in New Taipei City—from June 17-Aug. 15—as part of the prestigious U.S. Department of State initiative.
Not retiring, just ‘repurposing’: Dr. Jamie Harvey ready to jump into her next exercise
Dr. Jamie Harvey, an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, is stepping down at the end of the semester after 35 years as a full-time faculty member—not to retire, but to “repurpose” her time and energy. “I still have more to give, just in a different way,” she said.
‘Now and forever’: UTC, Chattanooga celebrate Mocs basketball team’s NIT title
On Thursday, April 17, the Mocs men’s basketball team was celebrated in grand fashion with a downtown Chattanooga parade that culminated in a rally at Miller Park. The event brought together students, alums, faculty and community members to honor the team’s historic postseason run—which ended with UTC’s first-ever NIT title.
From stage to startup: Sarah Whitney’s residency connects creativity and career building
Violinist Sarah Whitney is not a stranger to college campuses, but during her visit to UTC, she added a new experience: coaching business students.
During her three-day residency—hosted through a partnership with Dr. Jonathan McNair, the Ruth S. Holmberg Professor of American Music at UTC—the internationally recognized performer, educator and career coach guided students through workshops, classes and performances designed to reshape their thinking about creative careers.