ENDOWED FUNDS
Through the years, many people have made generous gifts to establish endowed funds for various purposes. The University recognizes and thanks them by publishing their names here.
Chairs
Walter M. Cline Jr. Chair of Excellence in Rehabilitation Technology: In cooperation with UTC’s College of Health and Human Services and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Cline Chair of Excellence is designed to make major contributions to the field of rehabilitation technology and to the education of students interested in pursuing careers related to this discipline. The charge to the holder of the chair, established in 1986-87 with a gift from Mr. Cline’s widow and children and matching funds from the UC Foundation, is development of programs, curricula, and research in rehabilitation engineering, physical therapy and rehabilitation nursing.
Tennessee State Senator Ward Crutchfield Chair in Engineering: Established in 2001 by friends, family, and colleagues of Mr. Crutchfield, a native Chattanoogan and longtime elected representative in the Tennessee Legislature, to advance the cause of higher education, particularly in the area of engineering. Chair appointee responsibilities include teaching in area of his/her area(s) of expertise in the undergraduate or graduate programs, scholarly research, and public service as understood by the engineering profession.
J. Burton Frierson Chair of Excellence in Business Leadership: Designed to give business majors at UTC exposure to exceptional educational opportunities in business leadership, this chair of excellence was funded by the Dixie Yarns Company and matched by state funds in the 1986-87 academic year in honor of J. Burton Frierson. The holder of the chair, a person of national stature in business, government, or technology, helps the University advance its stated goals of becoming a regional leader in business education.
Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Business Administration and Distinguished Lecture Series in Entrepreneurship: The first chair of excellence to be funded by an alumnus, this chair provides the students and faculty of the school, as well as the broader community, a better understanding of the world of business. Distinguished lecturers will be brought to the campus each year in order to engage students, faculty and others in discussions related to trends in innovation, entrepreneurship, corporate strategies, and the global economy. Harris, class of 1964, was the president and chairman of the board of Carriage Industries Inc., Calhoun, GA, when the chair was established in 1987.
Chair of Excellence in Judaic Studies: Offering a focus for special examination of the impact of Judaic influence on Western civilization and history, this chair was established in 1986 by a special Committee for the Judaic Chair of Excellence and from private community support. Enriching the curriculum of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, the chair is also a major asset to the cultural life of the community and the holder of the chair serves as a key resource for the integration of Judaic studies in appropriate contexts throughout the University and in the community at large.
Lyndhurst Foundation Chair of Excellence in Arts Education: Funded in 1988 as a complement to the Southeast Center for Arts Education established on the UTC campus with grants from the Getty Foundation, the Gherkin Foundation, and Lyndhurst, this chair is designed to bring to the University and the southeast region of Tennessee a nationally recognized expert in discipline-based arts education (DBAE). The chair holder will teach art education courses to undergraduate and graduate students, conduct research, serve as an advocate for improved arts education, and oversee the center’s programs, including three constituent institutes for teachers in the visual arts, theatre, and music.
O.D. McKee Chair of Excellence in Dyslexia: Established in 1998 in honor of the late O.D. McKee, founder of McKee Foods Corporation, makers of Little Debbie snack cakes. A professorship to provide leadership and direction in the research, teaching, and outreach programs for the study of dyslexia and exceptional instruction. Funded by a $500,000 endowment from Mr. McKee and an equal matching grant from the State of Tennessee.
Burkett Miller Chair of Excellence in Management and Technology: A cross-disciplinary chair of excellence that bridges the resources between the School of Business Administration and the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Funded in 1977 by the Tonya Memorial Foundation of Chattanooga, the holder of this chair assists the University and the Chattanooga community in understanding the importance of technology; identifying and nurturing the development of technology; and assisting with the transfer of that technology to the marketplace in ways which foster economic development.
Scott L. Probasco Jr. Chair of Free Enterprise: Established in 1976 by Burkett Miller, a leading Chattanooga attorney and philanthropist, in honor of a longtime friend, well-respected Chattanooga citizen, and trustee of the University of Tennessee and the UC Foundation, for a distinguished professorship relating to the free enterprise system.
Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company Chair of Excellence in Applied Mathematics: This chair of excellence, funded in 1986 by joint gifts from Provident and the University of Chattanooga Foundation, brings to the University and the community a heightened sense of the significance, utility, and relevance of mathematics and its applications. The holder of this chair functions not only as a scholar, teacher, and researcher, but also as a valuable resource and vigorous advocate for mathematics in the schools and community.
SunTrust Bank Chair of Excellence in the Humanities: Established by its predecessor, American National Bank and Trust Company, this chair, administered through the College of Arts and Sciences, has as its purpose presenting the best that has been and is now being thought in the humanities. This revolving appointment brings to the community visiting professors of national and international stature. The humanities chair established by American National Bank and Trust Company in 1986 helps meet UTC’s commitment as a cultural center for the region.
George R. West Jr. Chair of Excellence in Communication and Public Affairs: Funded by the Westend Foundation in 1986 in honor of its founder, George R. West Jr., this chair of excellence is designed to assist UTC in educating students for responsible and effective communications in the realm of public affairs. Students pursuing careers in business, education, communications, political science, and other disciplines benefit from this chair which emphasizes critical analysis and presenting, particularly by the written word, the issues of public affairs in a truthful, effective and responsible fashion.
