Ruth Holmberg and her son, Arthur Golden

Holmberg recognized at May commencement

Ruth Holmberg, retired publisher of The Chattanooga Times was invited to the podium twice during May commencement, once to introduce her son, author and commencement speaker Arthur Golden, and a second time to receive The Chancellor’s Award of Merit.

“In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. With sincere appreciation for her visionary leadership, philanthropic spirit, support for the arts, and distinguished citizenship,” said Chancellor Bill Stacy.

Homberg is a trustee of the University of Chattanooga Foundation.

The first woman to head a major Chattanooga business, to serve as president of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and to serve as president of the Chattanooga Symphony Association, Holmberg was also a founding member of the Tennessee Arts Commission. She chaired the Hunter Museum of Art board of directors from 1979-1983.

In 1992, Holmberg was appointed to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University of the South in 1991. Currently, Holmberg serves as chair of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Public Education Foundation and vice president of the Chattanooga Community Foundation.

Holmberg has been named the Tennessee Woman of the Year; she received the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award in 1989, the Liberty Bell Award in 1990, and the Smith College Medal in 1988.

She was also a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Board and is now an Alumnae Member.