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Alumni News
- Alumni profile: Laura McKee
- New alumni leaders announced
- UTC alumni honor Tom Griscom and Bert Caldwell
- Trish Obear Memorial Tennis Tournament
Alumni profile: Laura McKee
Laura McKee's passion for writing and poetry, which in her words was fueled in part by her instructors at UTC, has led her across the globe. And recently her ambitious pursuit of writing poetry landed her one of ten positions (out of 1,400 applicants) in the prestigious Stegner Fellowship Program at Stanford University. We caught up with Laura to ask about her selection into the program and her time living abroad.
Q. What have you been up to since graduation?
A. After graduation in 2002, I moved to Washington, DC where I lived for
two years while working on my Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Maryland, College Park. I received my Master's in 2005 and then headed to France for a year to teach conversational English to student teachers in Chateauroux, France.
I always regretted not studying abroad while in college, and this was a great opportunity to work on my French. I actually learned about the program while at UTC and decided to apply with the encouragement of Dr. Vicki Steinberg. Though Chateauroux was a bit sleepy for my taste, my French improved vastly. It's a good way to live abroad and get paid for it. I'd definitely recommend the program. Afterwards, I found myself scratching my head, not quite yet ready to return to the States. I heard through a friend about the possibility of teaching in the Netherlands, so I applied, got the job, and moved straight from France to Maastricht, Netherlands (city where the European Union was signed into formation).
Q. What do you like best about living overseas and in your job teaching English Composition and Creative Writing for the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Europe?
A. Two years ago, I never would have expected I would be lecturing on poetic form to soldiers--but here I am, and I love it. Most of my students are active duty service men and women stationed in the Netherlands and Germany. I've taught on NATO, US Army, and Air Force bases. I find the collision of worlds here--military culture and academia, the blunt "real world" and the "ivory tower,"-- to be both challenging and invigorating. My students are incredible individuals juggling full-time jobs, families, school and service to our country. I feel lucky to be here.
As for living abroad, besides the obvious things, like living three hours from Paris, I think I enjoy the perpetual bewilderment that's a part of living in another country. It keeps the senses alive and forces you to think about the world in more complex ways. You can't take anything for granted. Especially language, which for me is an important part of being a writer--having a heightened awareness of the absurdities of language.
Q. Tell us about the Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University. How did you hear about it? When were you informed that you were accepted?
A. The Stegner is a two year writing fellowship. Stanford will provide me with a salary to work full-time on a manuscript of poems. I first heard about the fellowship in grad school and found out I'd been chosen in early March. The fellowship will give me two years to devote entirely to writing. Hopefully, I'll have a book ready to publish at the end!
Q. What literary works have inspired you in furthering your passion and love for creative writing and poetry?
A. Where to start? A short list of poets who have inspired me, and who I always recommend for good reading, include Anne Carson, Charles Simic, Yusef Komunyakaa, Phil Levine, John Berryman, and Elizabeth Bishop. My early loves wrote fiction. I think in particular Flannery O'Connor and Toni Morrison raised my reader's heart rate in high school and made me want to be like them.
Q. What is one of your favorite UTC memories?
A. I have many. But if I had to choose one, it would have to be the summer trip I took to Slovenia and Italy to attend the International PEN Writers' Conference with Dr. Rick Jackson and my fellow poetry students. It was the first time I'd really traveled. The first time I went to an art museum. It was also the first time I witnessed literature as part of a global conversation. That experience impacted my life in many different ways. I deeply cherish it.
Q. What advice can you share with current UTC students?
A. Seek out the faculty. Take advantage of those office hours! I think this was the one thing that made my UTC experience exceptional. The attention of terrific professors.
Q. How did UTC prepare you for life after college?
A. A great education. The enduring support of my teachers.
New alumni leaders announced
Dr. Debbie Ingram (UTC ’84) – President of UTNAA
Dr. Debbie Ingram (UTC '84) will be the first faculty member from any campus of the University of Tennessee system to take the reigns as president of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association (UTNAA). Ingram has her master's degree in special education from UTC and her doctorate in education from UTK. Currently, she is a UC Foundation professor and director of clinical education for UTC's physical therapy department.
As president of UTNAA, Ingram will work hand-in-hand with newly named UTNAA Executive Director Lofton Stuart, as well as the alumni staff and boards of directors of each campus in coordinating activities and programs for the over 300,000 members of the UT alumni family. In her role as president, she will be involved in several speaking engagements across the nation that will highlight the work of the UT campuses.
“Dr. Ingram’s enthusiasm for the University of Tennessee is contagious,” said Chancellor Roger Brown. “She offers a unique perspective as an alumna of both the Chattanooga and Knoxville campuses, and as a faculty member at UTC. We congratulate her and encourage her to advocate on behalf of all faculty, staff and students in the UT system.”
Ingram’s term as President of UTNAA begins July 1, 2007.
For the past few years, Ingram has been an active UTC alumna, including serving as a member of the UTC Alumni Board of Directors, UTC Athletics Board, Children's Center Board, and several past UTC athletic coaches search committees.
One of her leading charges as UTNAA President will be her focus on encouraging high school students to seek out higher education opportunities. To do that, Ingram is asking all UTC (and UT system) alumni to share their collegiate stories on how higher education has positively impacted their lives and laid the groundwork for their current roles and positions in life.
Kayvon Sadrabadi (UTC ’87 and ’93) – President of UTC Alumni Board of Directors
As the new president of the UTC Alumni Board of Directors, Kayvon Sadrabadi is eager to recognize, celebrate and honor the outstanding achievements and characteristics that make UTC a distinct university of great worth.
“There are many graduates of our University,” said Sadrabadi, “and despite our differences, we all share an affinity for the true essence of what makes our campus special and unique. My goal is to capture this essence in words and share it with the greater community. We hope this recognition will in turn serve as a catalyst for greater accomplishments to arise today and in the future.”
Sadrabadi, who received both his Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering (’87) and his Masters of Business Administration (’93) from UTC, will lead a board of 25 alumni, each who share his love of the University. Joining Sadrabadi on the 2007-2008 UTC Alumni Board of Directors are newly appointed members Jean Payne (‘82), Kim McCormick (‘89), Bert Caldwell (‘63), Scott LeRoy (‘79), and Yancy Freeman (‘92). These new members will share their leadership roles with returning board members, President Elect Kim White, Vice President Steve Coffman, Treasurer Don Adkins, Secretary Erik Gray, Past President David Fussell, Lesley Berryhill, Kim Coffey, Michael Cranford, Emily Godfrey, Jocelyn Hogg, Edward Ingle, Sam Jones, Tom Losh, Student Alumni Council President Shamika Malone, Pat Murphy, Kimberly Pettyjohn, Michael Purcell, Chris Robinson, Preston Rogers, and Conrad Woods. 
More information on the UTC Alumni Board of Directors can be found on the UTC Alumni website at http://www.utcalumni.com/board.php.
The University would like to recognize the leadership of past Board President David Fussell and the outgoing board members, including Dr. Debbie Ingram, Jason Thomas, Past President Shane Neal, Hayes Ledford, Travis Overton and the late Gladys Crates, for their time and commitment in serving the alumni of UTC.
UTC alumni honor Tom Griscom and Bert Caldwell
Congratulations to Tom Griscom and Bert Caldwell, who were nominated by alumni and friends and awarded for outstanding representation and service to the University. The Legends and Leaders Dinner was held in the spring to honor Griscom and Caldwell.
TOM GRISCOM (’71) 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Unofficially named "the Chattanooga newspaper man" for his past roles as editor of both the UTC Moccasin and Echo and his current position as publisher and executive editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tom Griscom has carried the torch of his University education as he has advanced through his professional career. Most notable were his roles as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Howard Baker and Assistant to the President for Communications and Planning under President Ronald Reagan.
Griscom has continued to show his support and dedication to his alma mater. He has served on the UC Foundation, the UTC Chancellor's Round Table, the UT Development Council, the Howard Baker Center for Public Policy Board of Directors and as an advisory board member for The University College of Communications Board of Visitors. He also has encouraged and challenged current UTC students through his involvement in hosting a Student Alumni Council sponsored “Dinner with 12 Strangers.”
BERT CALDWELL (’63)- 2007 Outstanding Service Award
As Bert Caldwell achieved success in the advertising and communications industry, he has been continually recognized for his outstanding leadership and innovative achievements. Caldwell has served as a Juvenile Probation Officer for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court, a sales representative for WDEF TV, the local, national, and general sales manager for WTVC TV, co-founder of A&C Associates, Incorporated (advertising agency), and sales manager for WDSI TV. Currently, Caldwell serves as Marketing Director for Lee-Smith. He has received The American Advertising Federation's Silver Medal Award for his involvement in furthering the advertising industry's standards and responsibility in areas of social concern.
Caldwell has continued to be a supporter, advocate and fan of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His involvement spanned across several roles, as a varsity football player and letterman for the UC Mocs, and as an active member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and "C" Club. As an alum, Caldwell has served on the UTC School of Business Alumni Board, UTC Alumni Council, UTC Inner Circle, Tower Society and Benefactor's Society. In 2004, Caldwell was awarded the Joe Morrison Award by the UTC/UC Athletics Hall of Fame.
Trish Obear Memorial Tennis Tournament
The UTC Alumni Board sponsored the annual Trisha Obear Memorial Tennis Tournament on Friday, May 25 at the Racquet Club in Hixson. The day included a morning of round robin doubles tennis and lunch.
Alumni and friends serving on the planning committee included Chairman James Hobbs, Greg Epps, Katie Fuller, Bill Prince, Ed Smith, Adrienne Teague, and Sue Webb.
This year’s tournament winners in the women’s division were Marty Wood and Mary Jane Spehar. They defeated Kathy Healy and Evalena Vance in the finals.
Men’s champions were Jonathan Looney and Don Vance, defeating Shane Neal & Booker Scruggs.
Partial proceeds from the tournament are donated to the Jimmy Jackson Memorial Alumni Scholarship Endowment. Participants are alumni and friends of the University.
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