UTC alumnus and Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient A. Hamid Andalib is returning to his alma mater to teach entrepreneurship in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. Andalib founded VIPGift in 2000 and now serves as founder and CEO of EE Incentives in Chattanooga. His post begins in spring 2027.
A Celebration of 140 Years
UTC is celebrating its 140th anniversary throughout the 2026-27 academic year, marking a milestone that reflects the university’s history and its continuing impact on Chattanooga, the region and the state.
UTC is using the anniversary year to honor the people and traditions that shaped the institution while also emphasizing service and community connection. Two signature efforts lead that work: the 1886 Challenge, which encourages students, faculty and staff to contribute a combined 18,860 hours of community service, and 140 Community Events for 140 Years, an initiative built around campus and community-centered programs.
Originally known as Chattanooga University, the institution opened its doors on September 15, 1886. Its opening exercises were held in Old Main, the original campus building on McCallie Avenue, with the 118-member student body, faculty and other university affiliates in attendance.
Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative Launches
The UTC Research Institute launched the Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative, a research effort focused on developing practical solutions for healthcare challenges.
The initiative draws faculty from engineering, computer science, physical therapy, athletic training, nursing and data analytics, building on UTC’s strengths in robotics, artificial intelligence, rehabilitation, digital health and human performance. It also builds on more than 40 healthcare-related projects completed during the past five years, including collaborations with regional partners such as Erlanger and Siskin.
UTC Mourns Obear
Former UTC Chancellor Frederick Obear, who led the university from 1981 to 1997 and returned as interim chancellor from 2004 to 2005, died July 24 at the age of 91. Obear’s leadership guided UTC through a period of steady growth and institutional change, and his influence continued to shape the university long after his formal service ended.
During his 16 years as chancellor, UTC expanded its academic profile, added undergraduate programs in physical therapy and legal systems and grew graduate offerings in fields including English, nursing, business, public administration and environmental sciences. Enrollment also increased significantly during his tenure, and his advocacy for broader access helped strengthen UTC’s reach in Chattanooga and beyond. He also helped lay the groundwork for future expansion in student housing and for the recruitment of out-of-state and international students.
“Dr. Obear was, in every sense, a true leader,” says UTC Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce. “Part of what made him so very special was that he showed us how someone can be a strong, effective and transformational leader while always having a gentle spirit.
“When I had the opportunity to spend time with him, I wanted him to know something clearly: This campus loves and adores him. I wanted him to know that his impact here has been profound and lasting and that generations of people have benefited from his leadership.”