Development News
Greening of campus and scholarships thrive through Living Memorials
On a brilliant, chilly day local media professional and businessman Ralph Dawn joined campus and community members for a Celebration of Living Memorials in the Lansing Court, outside the campus' University Center. The event marked the significance of memorial gifts.
Dawn decided to participate in two UTC memorial gift programs to honor his late wife, Donna Damon Dawn.
“We gather today to celebrate the progressive actions of individuals and families who see beyond the pain of personal loss to the beauty and meaningful strength of living memorials,” said Dr. Fred Obear, Interim Chancellor of UTC. “One of the common threads that binds us across generations and cultures is that we have all suffered the loss of a loved one.”
Mrs. Dawn was a graduate of the UTC Communication Department, and her husband has established a memorial scholarship in the UTC Department of Communication to provide financial assistance to a communication student.
To celebrate Donna Damon Dawn’s love of the out of doors, Mr. Dawn has also provided support for four new trees to be planted on the campus. The UTC Landscaping Committee is undertaking an extensive program to help the campus exterior reflect the same excellence that is present in the classrooms and laboratories.
Ross-Fowler Associates of Knoxville has completed a UTC campus landscape master plan that features large shade trees, expanses of grass, definitive entrances at the campus borders, and improved campus circulation.
To begin the greening of UTC, three locations have been identified for transformation. The main entrance to the campus at McKenzie Arena will have brick and stone gates that mirror the gates in the older parts of campus. East Fifth Street along the historic cemeteries will become a tree-lined boulevard from McKenzie Arena to Palmetto Street. Vine Street at the Lupton Library and University Center, the heart of campus, will welcome campus gatherings with large shade trees, grass, and brick benches.
Research shows that students’ first impression of a campus strongly influences their college choice. A beautiful campus landscape also is a significant factor in workplace satisfaction for faculty and staff.
“The student who receives the Donna Damon Dawn Communication Scholarship and the trees that are planted on campus beside our University Center will carry on the good works and vision of Mrs. Dawn,” said Obear. “They will indeed be living memorials to her life.”
You can memorialize a loved one by purchasing a tree with a contribution of $500, or consider establishing a scholarship. Visit the Office of Development online or call (423) 425-4232.
Town and Gown Ball provides good music, good food, good company, and good support
The Chattanooga Jazz Quartet and the Shani Hedden Review provided the backdrop for a lovely evening at the fourth annual Town and Gown Ball, held in the Silver Ballroom of the newly renovated Sheraton Read House. The event raised over $20,000 for the Chattanooga Classroom Enhancement Fund.
Since its inception, the Town and Gown Ball has raised over $100,000 for classroom and laboratory enhancements. Some of the campus projects receiving Town and Gown Ball support include upgrades to the zoology and physiology labs, renovating painting studios and photography darkrooms, and improvements to the auditorium in Grote Hall.
The “Ladies of the Ball” planning this year’s event included Lynn Anderson, Lorraine Brown, Margaret Card, Beverly Cosley, Missy Crutchfield, Ruth Obear, Brenda Purcell, Sue Stacy, Mary Tanner, and Cheryl Whitfield.
“This year's Town and Gown Ball was a wonderful event, and we appreciate all of the hard work that was put into making it a success. The UTC campus is fortunate to have so many generous, caring friends,” said Bob Lyon, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement.
Alumni support needed for new business scholarships
A grant from a private source, The Wright Bentley Foundation, has allowed the College of Business to establish Provost Scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate business students who will be expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA. These students are also expected to be active in both extracurricular activities at the University and in some form of community service in metropolitan Chattanooga.
Scholarships help to diminish financial pressures for students and provide an opportunity to pursue interests beyond the classroom. Recipients further themselves through hard work and dedication to the learning process and both the student and the community will benefit.
The foundation has provided a basic grant of $25,000 to initiate the program. The College of Business will ask alumni and friends to match the foundation's gift, which would provide a total of $50,000 for scholarships.
It has been suggested that if The College of Business is successful in attracting matching gifts, the foundation would consider a $50,000 matching gift grant in the future. We know you have been doing the math, so you know that ultimately, our students could have $100,000 available for the Business Provost Scholarships!
This program relies on alumni to support our undergraduates, so please consider participating. Any size contribution is welcome, and your support will make a difference.
Please contact Lisa Flint for more information at (423) 425-2688 or Lisa-Flint@UTC.edu.