On May 6, UT Chattanooga brought campus and community leaders together for “Join the Momentum,” an event centered on a simple idea: Momentum is no longer a goal—it is already underway.
Fueled by more than $460 million in construction and infrastructure investments either underway or in planning, UTC’s campus supports student success, research and community engagement while it positions the university for continued growth. UT System President Randy Boyd joined UTC Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce and partners in recognizing the progress and the shared commitment.
The campus celebrated the topping-out ceremony of the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building. This tradition, which celebrates placing the final structural beam, reflects progress on the College of Nursing’s future home.
Hale Retires
Jerold Hale retired June 30, concluding seven years as provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Since coming to Chattanooga in 2019, Hale guided the university’s academic mission with a focus on student success and faculty excellence.
“His insight, partnership and collaborative spirit have been invaluable,” says Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce. “We are grateful for his extraordinary service and the lasting impact he has made on our university.”
Three Earn Community Service Awards
UC Foundation Associate Professor of Sociology Chandra Ward, UC Foundation Professor Rick Dierenfeldt and graduating senior Joshua Clay were selected for the 2026 Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award, one of the state’s highest recognitions for public service in higher education.
Presented annually by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the award honors 10 individuals statewide—five students and five faculty or staff members—who demonstrate sustained commitment to volunteerism, civic engagement and community leadership.
Mapping Project Gains International Recognition
A UTC research project drew international attention for turning complex data into a clear, accessible story about a local challenge.
Led by UTC Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science Director Charlie Mix, Mapping Chattanooga’s Urban Forests earned the Storytelling with Maps Innovation Award in the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition, a global program led by Esri.
Focused on tree canopy loss and rising urban heat, the project combines geospatial data, satellite imagery and machine learning to identify areas of greatest need across Chattanooga. The work analyzes the issue and guides where future tree plantings can have the greatest impact.
Levine Honored in Veterinary Medicine
David Levine has been named an Honorary Diplomate by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation—becoming the first non-veterinarian to receive the distinction.
A professor in UTC’s physical therapy program, Levine’s career bridges human and animal rehabilitation as he works with veterinary schools and clinicians across the country to improve recovery, mobility and quality of life for animals.
