Sociology Highlights
Celebrating Olivia Reeves
Dr. Chandra Ward and Dr. Zach Simoni from UTC sociology recently spoke with several media outlets in Chattanooga, including the Chattanooga Free Times Press and News Channel 9 to acknowledge Olivia's success at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both sociology faculty members highlighted Olivia's commitment to excellence in her sport, success in the classroom, leadership skills, and sense of humility after receiving her medal. They also mentioned the thrill of watching Olivia's victory with UTC students, staff, and faculty at the watch party sponsored by UTC.
Olivia the Olympian: UTC student selected to U.S. Olympic team
May 25, 2024
On Friday, May 24, Reeves—a senior sociology major at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga—was announced as a member of the United States Olympic weightlifting team. The native of Hixson, Tennessee, will be representing the U.S. at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Given her Olympian status, it’s not surprising that Reeves has achieved some remarkable feats. According to a BarBend article, “Reeves is the second-strongest woman in the world in her weight class.” A USA Weightlifting article called her, “one of this generation’s greatest weightlifters.”
Celebrating Our Stellar Sociology Seniors
Our Third Annual SAG (Sociology, Anthropology, and Geography) Students Award BBQ Event – was a great success.
On Reading Day (the day after classes end) more than 60 students majoring in and minoring in anthropology, sociology, and geography attended the end-of-semester festivity at the Annex Building.
The following sociology students were recognized for their outstanding academic and research performances:
- Sociology 2023-2024 Outstanding Major Award: Maria Reynoso
- Student Government Association's' 2023-2024 Outstanding Senior Award for the B.S. Sociology degree program: LK Whitsett (in photo attached) - pictured here with her nominated "Outstanding Faculty Mentor," Professor Natalie Blanton
Congratulations to our graduating class of 2024! You will do great things in this world. Know that we are here to support as you continue on your future trajectories and journeys!
Wheels on the bus: Multidisciplinary UTC sociologist seeking a broader understanding of transportation accessibility
February 27, 2024.
Dr. Chandra Ward's research, published in the June 2023 Journal of Transport Geography, shows that without reliable transportation, low-income individuals become socially excluded, often adapting by refraining from going anywhere, which reinforces their isolation and perpetuates concentrated poverty's detrimental effects. Read the full story here.
Sociology Students Visit the National African American History and Culture Museum
Spring Break
Sociology professors Dr. Lori Waite and Darrel Walsh with their students of the UHON course Sociology of the Black Community visited the National African American History and Culture Museum in Washington, DC over Spring Break.
Sociology Students Visit National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta
February 3, 2024
Sociology professors Dr. Lori Waite and Dr. Darrell Walsh took students enrolled in SOC 2510, Social Movements and UHON 3640, Sociology of the Black Community seminar to visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The trip allowed students to experience civil and human rights struggles through immersive and interactive exhibits. Students were able to examine artifacts, papers, and other tangible objects that relate to regional and global struggles for civil and human rights.