Alumni News
Olympian, alumnus Dan Beery visits campus
The UTC Alumni Board and Alumni Office invited students, faculty and staff to meet Dan Beery, UTC’s first Olympic gold medalist. Beery was a member of the 2004 Men's Olympic Rowing Team. For the first time in 40 years, the USA Men's Eight Rowing Division won the gold medal in the summer 2004 Olympics with the help of Beery, class of 2000.
“It was very special. Three of the guys were in the boat of 2000, which self-destructed. So it was really special for them, and it was a great way to end our career,” Beery said. “I can finally say that if I want, I never have to row again. I don’t feel I have to prove anything else,” Beery said.
The USA Men’s Eight time was 5:42.48 in the 1,500-meter race. Beery and the USA Men's Eight won their opening heat with a World Record time of 5:19.85, beating the Canadian team, the defending World Champions and the Gold Medal favorite.
The team has hired an agent, according to Beery. “We are looking for an endorsement deal, and maybe do some commercials,” Beery said. Beery held a position with Boy Scouts of America, and he says he is looking for something new.
While earning his degree in Exercise Science, Beery trained, held a job, and attended class full time at UTC for four years. Having grown up in Indiana, a nearly landlocked state, Beery did not begin rowing until he attended UTC. In fact, it was in Beery's first year that Coach Robert Espeseth, Rowing Coordinator at UTC, Olympic medalist and 1986 world rowing champion, introduced Beery to rowing.
“I feel really blessed,” Beery said. “And I am very proud to have graduated from UTC.”
Atlanta alumni unite
UTC alumni in Atlanta are planning events to build friendships and support the University:
January 22, 2005 join other UTC alumni in Atlanta as they board a bus and come to see the Mocs take on ETSU in a 2 p.m. afternoon game at the McKenzie Arena. Price will be $25 per person, which will include snacks on the bus, a general admission ticket to the game and lunch with Interim Chancellor Fred Obear and his wife Ruth. The group will meet at 9:15 a.m. at the Galleria Mall at Jocks and Jills in Atlanta. Buses will depart promptly at 9:30 a.m. To make reservations you must send in your check and this registration form to the alumni office by January 13, 2005. Questions? Call (800) 728-4882 or (423) 425-4785.
Checks should be written to “UTC Alumni” and mailed to: UTC Alumni, Dept. 6506, 615 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403.
On November 9, chapter leaders organized a pre-game reception at the Atlanta Hawks opening game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Alumni attending received UTC pens, UTC koozies, as well as an official Atlanta Hawks visor. A great time was had by all.
For more information on how you can become involved with the Atlanta Chapter, please contact Conrad Woods, president, at (770) 944-1205 or AlumniUTC@bellsouth.net.
Attention veterans and veterans’ families
If you are an alum serving our country, or an alum with a family member serving our country – we want to hear from YOU! Please visit our web site to find out how we can honor your service and dedication to our country. Be sure to check our site often for other Armed Forces stories like yours. We appreciate your service to America, we support you, and we SALUTE YOU!!!
Scrappy captures Chattanooga athletic legend
The Scrappy Moore story stands as a legend of Chattanooga athletics and now that legend is preserved in one volume to cherish and enjoy for years.
Take a walk down memory lane and support student scholarships at the same time. Scrappy: The Life and Legend of Andrew C. Scrappy Moore by C. Stephen Byrum is the story of long-time University of Chattanooga football coach and athletic director.
All net proceeds from sales go to the Scrappy Moore Scholarship Fund for Mocs student athletes.
“If you are a Mocs fan, then you’ll love this book. Scrappy Moore is legendary in Chattanooga and in collegiate athletics. His accomplishments as a coach, as a mentor, and as a family man are amazing and worthy of emulation today,” said Terry Denniston, director of alumni affairs at UTC. “This is an inspiring story for everyone, and knowing how much Scrappy cared about the students, he would be very happy to know that the book is supporting scholarships.”
Scrappy led the Mocs to victory over teams like Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, and of course, the famous win in Knoxville over the University of Tennessee Volunteers. He was invited to coach at major colleges and in the professional ranks. His love of Chattanooga and the challenge of leading a small college to compete with gridiron giants kept him at his beloved university for almost four decades.
Purchase Scrappy for $25 on the Alumni web site.
Get Involved
Join the Alumni Leadership Council
Would you like to be involved with your University? Would you like to participate in meaningful alumni programs? Do you have ideas on ways to promote your University? If you answered yes to these questions, we want YOU to become a member of our Alumni Leadership Council. The ALC is your opportunity to share ideas on alumni programs you would like to see at UTC as well as improve upon current programs. For additional information, please contact the Alumni Office at (423) 425-4785 or (800) 728-4882.
University of Chattanooga Class of ’55 Reunion
Calling all University of Chattanooga members of the Class of 1955. We are in the beginning stages of planning your reunion and need your help. If you or a classmate of yours is interested in joining the 1955 reunion planning committee, please call the Alumni Office at (423) 425-4785 or (800) 728-4882.
UTNAA welcomes you
The UT National Alumni Association invites you to become involved with your University. As a UTC alumnus you are automatically a member of the UT National Alumni Association (UTNAA). There are over 100 alumni chapters throughout the country. If you would like to find out if there is a chapter in your area call the UTC Office of Alumni Affairs at (423) 425-4785 or (800) 728-4882 or email Terry-Denniston@UTC.edu.
Help recruit through ARC
If you are interested in helping recruit quality high school students to UTC – you will want to be a part of the Alumni Recruitment Council (ARC). Do you have a passion for students and their higher education? Are you interested in representing UTC at local college fairs throughout your area? Would you enjoy congratulating high school students that have recently been accepted to UTC? Are you interested in mentoring students on their path to success? If this sounds like something that would excite you, please contact Shasta Westmoreland, Alumni Recruitment Coordinator in the UTC Office of Admissions at (423) 425-4314 or Shasta-Westmoreland@utc.edu for more information.
Upcoming programs:
January 21 — Freshman Friday Program on campus- alumni will have lunch with prospective students and their parents. Call Shasta to volunteer.
College Fairs: If you know of college fairs in your areas and you would be willing to represent UTC give Shasta a call and she will mail you all the necessary information to set up a complete UTC Admissions recruitment table.
Remember these dates:
- January 13, 2005 – UTC Alumni Board of Directors meeting
- February 8-9, 2005 – Student Alumni Council Silent Auction
- February 24, 2005 – UTNAA Hamilton County Chapter Honors Banquet
- February 25, 2005 – UTC Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
- March 2-5, 2005 – Southern Conference Basketball Tournament
- March 29, 2005 – Alumni Leadership Council meeting
- May 6, 2005 – Legends and Leaders dinner
- May 27, 2005 – Trisha Obear Memorial Tennis Tournament
- September 16-17, 2005 – 50-Plus Reunion Weekend
- October 1, 2005 – Homecoming