News

The 2024 alumni award recipients are a testament to the impact and excellence that our graduates bring to the world.

We are excited to introduce the new members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Alumni Board of Directors.

The graduating class of 2024 is filled with inspiring stories. From an ROTC leader to a homecoming queen, these graduates are ready to take on the world.

Dr. Beth Crawford (’85, ’88) bleeds blue and gold. A proud alumna and current Professor and Program Advisor for the Learning and Leadership programs at UTC, Dr. Crawford’s dedication to the university extends far beyond the classroom. Her journey to UTC began in Kingsport, Tenn., where she brought her spirit of community involvement to campus …

From a small town with big dreams, Marla Cobb (’95, ’98) embodies the spirit of dedication and community engagement fostered at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Born and raised in Etowah, Tenn. and a graduate of McMinn Central High School, where she was shaped by a community that offered its own blend of challenges …

Hannah Thurley Huesman (‘14), a trailblazing sport psychologist, is rewriting the rules of mental performance and empowering the next generation of athletes. In the lively neighborhoods of Nashville, Tenn., a young Hannah Huesman discovered her immense passion for sports. This early love, nurtured by family encouragement and sibling rivalry, laid the foundation for an extraordinary …

From UTC’s lecture halls to the stage, Rachel McIntyre Smith (’19) is harmonizing her academic achievements and artistic pursuits to create a symphony of success. In 2022, Rachel recorded and independently released her debut EP, “Glory Daze,” achieving recognition on BBC Radio and securing a spot on Spotify’s “Best of Fresh Finds Country 2022” playlist. …

Through his time, talent and treasure, David Higney (’88) has been giving back to his alma mater for more than 30 years, echoing what it means to be a Moc. From his early days on campus, David’s involvement in the Student Government Association and Honor Court laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to UTC. …

Growing up in an environment where academic potential was often overlooked, Thomas Kline (’66) would rise to become a decorated officer, a successful business leader and a passionate philanthropist. Reflecting on his early academic life, Thomas recounts a moment that fueled his determination: “I wanted to go to college. And when I went to the …

Thanks to an extraordinary $8 million gift from the Kennedy Foundation, Inc., the School of Nursing is set to realize its long-cherished dream of a state-of-the-art facility. This landmark donation, the largest in the School of Nursing’s history, paves the way for the construction of the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building. The Dorothy …

Thanks to alumni and supporters like you, we raised $1,734,947.42 from 2,131 donors during our fourth annual Mocs Give Day on Oct. 3. This exceeded the day’s original fundraising goals of $1 million from 1,500 donors. A record number of students, faculty and staff participated in Mocs Give Day this year, with over 600 students …

In the world of sports, few journeys are as remarkable as Torrez Finney’s (’20) transformation from a college football player to a professional mixed martial arts fighter. When he first walked onto the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, he had dreams of becoming a standout football player. Little did he know that his journey …

Isaiah Southern has always been a determined student. A Psychology major and president of Club Tennis at UTC, Isaiah is harnessing his shots at creating the life and career he envisions. Yet, like many students, his journey has had challenges leading him to Scrappy’s Cupboard. Helping over 1,000 students since it opened in 2017 and …

As a young man who overcame tremendous adversity to pursue an education, Cap Nguyen (’80) ultimately realized his dreams that spanned continents, an ocean and space. Born in the early stages of a war-torn Vietnam, Cap faced the ultimate challenge at the age of 17. Just a month shy of graduating high school, the Vietnam …

David Wade (’04) and Alexander “Zan” Guerry have been recognized as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and Outstanding Service Award recipients respectively. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest annual commendation presented to an alumnus or alumna and recognizes someone who demonstrates extraordinary service to their alma mater, field and community. The Outstanding Service Award …

In a world brimming with talent and stories, few individuals possess a professional and musical resume quite like Clariece Miller Paulk (’60, University of Chattanooga). During her time as a student at the University of Chattanooga, before the university joined the University of Tennessee system in 1969, Clariece Miller Paulk stood out as a remarkable …

Jennifer Isaacson (’22), a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing, has a busy life with her four children. Her 13-year-old daughter Emma, who has Down Syndrome, loves acting and “High School Musical.” Her 12-year-old son Josh is passionate about robotics and plays trombone. Jake, her 8-year-old son, enjoys soccer …

A study abroad trip to Japan led Kelly Lewallen Railey (’96) to a five-year stay in the country post-graduation, along with a position at a major Japanese manufacturer upon her return to the States. Graduating with a degree in international studies and a minor in French, Kelly was deeply involved in campus life as an …

Though early in her career, Iqra Sheikh (’20, ’22) strives every day to better the lives of the faculty, staff and students of UTC through her equity and inclusion work. Not only is Iqra a standout alumna to feature for Women’s History Month as she’s trailblazing a path that so many at UTC will follow …

As two busy and involved UTC students, Jay Dale and Cynthia Inglis, met in an elevator at a fraternity formal. While this would be their meet cute moment, it was not love at first sight. “When we first met, she was less than impressed,” says Jay. “Our relationship started off as a wonderful friendship, important …

While there’s a lot of new on campus and with UTC’s Alumni team, a new monthly alumni newsletter “From the Nest” will help you stay in the loop on all that’s happening. New Team: The Alumni team is led by Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni Affairs Jeff Cogburn, who came to UTC from Clemson University. …