For more than 20 years, the Chattanooga Alumni Chapter of Sigma Chi has supported UTC students through mentorship, scholarships and service. What began as an effort to support the active Delta Theta chapter has grown into a broader commitment to helping students and the community.

A cornerstone of that support is the Michael R. Baskette Sigma Chi Scholarship Fund, an endowed scholarship established in memory of alumnus Michael Baskette.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on academics, leadership and community engagement, reflecting the chapter’s commitment to developing students who lead both on campus and in their communities.

“Our affiliation with UTC is one of those things that’s reciprocal,” said Chapter President Bill Hawkins. “We understand that we own a part of that relationship, that UTC owns a part of that relationship, and the community at large owns a part of that relationship.”

In addition to scholarship support, the chapter contributes annually to the UTC Student Emergency Fund and Scrappy’s Cupboard. These resources help students overcome unexpected obstacles that might otherwise disrupt their education.

“The Student Emergency Fund provides critical support that helps students navigate unexpected challenges and stay focused on their education,” Hawkins said.

The chapter’s commitment also extends into the Chattanooga community as alumni and undergraduate members regularly collaborate on service projects that reflect the values of the Sigma Chi Jordan Standard, which emphasizes integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and ambition.

As one of the few alumni chapters nationwide to operate as a 501(c), the Chattanooga Alumni Chapter has built a model centered on service. For Hawkins, the organization’s partnership with UTC remains at the heart of those efforts.

“We recognize that there are things that we can do together, and we can do those together much better than we can apart,” he said.

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