Building Opportunity Together
Annual Report
Every gift tells a story of belief in UTC’s students, faculty and future. Whether supporting scholarships, expanding academic programs, enhancing facilities or strengthening athletics, philanthropy creates opportunities that help our campus and community thrive.
Fiscal Year 2025-26 was marked by transformative investments and extraordinary generosity. The stories in this report reflect the people and partnerships making that impact possible and demonstrate how, together, we are building opportunity for generations of Mocs to come.
A Word from Leadership
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is moving forward with a vision for its future. Our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan calls us to advance academic excellence and student outcomes, develop and support our people, expand innovative research, strengthen operational excellence and deepen our community impact.
These priorities are ambitious because this moment demands ambition. We are working to expand access, help students graduate and thrive, and serve as a model metropolitan university that drives progress across our region and state.
Philanthropy is essential to making that vision a reality. Your generosity provides scholarships and student experiences, equips faculty to pursue discoveries, strengthens programs and facilities, and gives UTC the flexibility to respond to emerging opportunities.
Because of you, we begin this work with tremendous momentum. I am deeply grateful for all you have already made possible. Yet our greatest opportunities are still ahead, and reaching them will require the continued commitment of the entire UTC community.
Together, we can build the future our students deserve and create a stronger University for generations to come.
Go Mocs!
Lori Mann Bruce
Chancellor
What an exciting time to be part of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Since joining UTC as vice chancellor of advancement and executive director of the University of Chattanooga Foundation, I have been inspired by the generosity, pride and shared sense of purpose that define this University and the people who believe in its future.
More people than ever before chose to invest in UTC during fiscal year 2026, making it the largest donor year in University history. A record 7,645 donors contributed more than $29.3 million to support our students, faculty and programs. Donors also created [NUMBER] new scholarship funds, expanding access to a UTC education and opening doors for students for years to come.
Behind every number is a personal story. Graduate student Andrew Stuckey created an endowed award providing much-needed summer support for students studying mathematics and environmental science. The Phillips family honored the legacy of John “Art” Phillips by investing in professional sales education and hands-on learning. Doug and Chrissie Fisher established a planned gift that will support future generations of UTC student-athletes. Together, these stories demonstrate the many ways generosity can change lives.
Our connections with alumni also continued to grow, with 57,883 Mocs engaged through events, communications, volunteer opportunities and philanthropic support. These relationships extend far beyond campus and strengthen UTC’s impact in Chattanooga, across Tennessee and around the world.
The UC Foundation is essential to sustaining that impact. Through careful stewardship of donor resources and responsible management of its endowment, the Foundation provides lasting support for the people, programs and priorities that move UTC forward.
Under Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce’s leadership, UTC is putting its 2030 Strategic Plan into action, with a focus on learner success, innovative research, operational excellence and community impact. Advancement will help make those aspirations a reality by strengthening relationships, growing philanthropic support and connecting generosity with the priorities that will shape UTC’s future.
I am grateful to be part of this remarkable community and excited about the momentum ahead. Thank you for believing in UTC and helping create opportunities that will benefit our students, our city and the state of Tennessee for generations to come.
Lee Williams Weldon
Vice Chancellor of Advancement
and Executive Director of the UC Foundation
Advancement Fundraising
Dollars Raised
Donors
Scholarships Awarded
Campus Impact
Through strategic investments in academic programs, student opportunities and campus growth, UTC continues to expand its impact across the region. These stories highlight the partnerships and philanthropy that are strengthening our university and creating new possibilities for students.
A Legacy Worth Doubling
John Arthur “Art” Phillips Sr. built his career around a simple challenge: “Let’s Double It.” Now, a transformative gift from the Phillips family will carry that spirit forward, creating new opportunities for students while helping UTC strengthen professional sales education for generations to come.
Local 3 WRCB Scholarships Strengthen Student Pathways
For years, WRCB Local 3 News has supported UTC students through the Local 3 WRCB TV Scholarship in Communications and the Local 3 WRCB TV Annual Marketing & Professional Sales Scholarship.
Philanthropy in Every Beam
A signed steel beam rising above the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus in April marked more than a construction milestone. Its placement atop the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building celebrated the generosity infused in the transformational new home for the College of Nursing.
Supporting Future Educators
For more than 90 years, Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union has built its mission around serving educators. Supporting UTC’s School of Education is a natural extension of that commitment and an investment in the teachers who will shape the region for generations to come.
Thank you for supporting students like me who are striving to make the world a better place through higher education.
Autumn Griggs
Class of 2027
Construction Management
Philanthropy
Every act of generosity reflects a belief in the power of education to change lives. Through scholarships, planned gifts and philanthropic investments, these donors are helping UTC students pursue their goals and creating a lasting impact on the university community.
The UC Foundation Board of Trustees plays a vital role in advancing the university’s mission through its leadership and stewardship. Composed of dedicated alumni, friends and community leaders, the board helps strengthen the philanthropic support that creates opportunities for UTC students, faculty and programs.
FY 2025 | $228 Million
FY 2025 | $226 Million
FY 2024 | $212 Million
The UC Foundation Board of Trustees plays a vital role in advancing the university’s mission through its leadership and stewardship. Composed of dedicated alumni, friends and community leaders, the board helps strengthen the philanthropic support that creates opportunities for UTC students, faculty and programs.
View the UC Foundation Board of Trustees
Making the Road Easier
For Doug (’06) and Chrissie Fisher, giving back means creating opportunities for future generations of UTC student-athletes.
Their planned gift supporting football, basketball and golf reflects a shared commitment to UTC and the students who represent it.
Building the Future of UTC
For Hoar Construction, investing in the future of its industry means investing in the students who will one day lead it.
The company’s support is helping students pursue their education, gain valuable hands-on experiences and prepare for successful careers.
A Student Gives Forward
While completeing his master’s degree in mathematics at UTC, Andrew Stuckey found an opportunity to give back.
His endowed award is helping graduate students in mathematics and environmental science pursue research, fieldwork and new discoveries.
Their Journey, Their Gift
Rick (’69) and Lori Govan (’93) took different paths to UTC, but both found a university that shaped their lives and futures.
Their planned gift is helping future students benefit from the same opportunities and support that influenced their journeys.
Dare and Do
Championships are built through preparation, determination and the support of those who believe in what’s possible. See how philanthropy is helping UTC Athletics create opportunities for student-athletes and build a strong foundation for the future.
Read about Dare and DoMocs Club: Dare and Do
Championships are built through preparation, determination and the support of those who believe in what’s possible. See how philanthropy is helping UTC Athletics create opportunities for student-athletes and build a strong foundation for the future.
Mocs Club Fundraising
Dollars Raised
Donors
Annual Giving
Alumni
Every Moc’s journey is unique, but each is connected by the experiences and relationships formed at UTC. These stories reflect the lasting impact of a UTC education and the many ways alumni are giving back, leading others and shaping the future.
This year, alumni engagement reached a new high, with 57,883 alumni participating in events, volunteer opportunities and philanthropic support, demonstrating the strength of the UTC community and its continued investment in the University’s future.
Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Invests in Student Success
For more than 20 years, the Chattanooga Alumni Chapter of Sigma Chi has invested in UTC students through scholarships, service and mentorship. Today, that commitment continues to create opportunities for students while strengthening the chapter’s longstanding partnership with the University.
Read About The Impact
The Freedom to Follow the Question
A spirit of curiosity helped guide Erin Hodges (’06) from UTC to a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology.
After experiencing the freedom to pursue graduate school without significant undergraduate debt, she now wants to help provide that same support for Honors students to discover new opportunities and experiences of their own.
Read Erin’s Story
2025-2026 Award Winners
The 2025 alumni award recipients are a testament to the impact and excellence that our graduates bring to the world. From healthcare leadership to community service these honorees exemplify the best of UTC.
Learn more about each honoree and how they’ve made a difference in their communities and beyond.
