Chancellor's Investiture
Please join us for the investiture of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce
Friday, November 21, 2025 | 3 p.m. McKenzie Arena
Parking available in Mocs Alumni Garage (Garage 31)
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About the event
An investiture is a time-honored academic tradition, a ceremonial celebration that formally welcomes a new chancellor. Since 1886, moments like this have connected our University’s history to its future through the presentation of the mace and chain of office, academic regalia, and reflections from distinguished guests. This milestone occasion brings together our University, the Chattanooga community and distinguished guests to honor the leadership and vision of Dr. Bruce. This investiture ceremony will formally install Dr. Lori Mann Bruce as chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
For those unable to attend in-person, you can watch the investiture of Dr. Lori Mann Bruce at this Investiture Ceremony Livestream link — Friday, November 21, 2025 (3:00 p.m. EST).
Lodging
Preferred lodging at a special rate is provided by The Westin Chattanooga. The last day to book is Friday, November 7, 2025. Book your group rate here.
About Dr. Lori Mann Bruce
Bruce assumed her role as Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on June 30, 2025, becoming the 19th leader in University history. Her higher education career encompasses extensive experience in both academic and administrative roles.
Bruce came to UTC after serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee Technological University since 2018. In that role, she oversaw all academic operations and led research and strategic planning efforts for more than 10,000 students across eight academic colleges.
Under her leadership, Tennessee Tech achieved a perfect academic program quality score from the state—an accomplishment unmatched in over four decades. She led the development and launch of multiple new academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. levels, each aligning with statewide and regional workforce needs.
Bruce spearheaded efforts to increase annual research funding from $16 million to more than $46 million, with projections indicating even higher figures for fiscal year 2025. She oversaw $350 million in campus infrastructure improvements—from new science and engineering facilities to major building renovations.
She also established the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence, implemented a campus-wide compensation study that led to pay increases across faculty and staff ranks, and worked to foster a supportive culture around professional development.
Prior to her tenure at Tennessee Tech, Bruce served as associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at Mississippi State University. During her time on that campus, she held appointments as Giles distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering; associate dean for research and graduate studies in the Bagley College of Engineering; executive director of the High Performance Computing Collaboratory; and interim director of the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory.
As a faculty member, she led research projects funded with more than $20 million from federal and industry partners, resulting in over 150 peer-reviewed scholarly publications that have been cited more than 6,000 times.
Bruce is no stranger to Tennessee. She grew up on a working farm in rural Lincoln County, about 90 minutes west of Chattanooga. Her early life experiences shaped her values of hard work, service and education, especially after her mother enrolled in college while raising children—a decision that left a lasting impression on the family.
She earned a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. She also completed graduate coursework in biomedical engineering through the Georgia Tech/Emory Medical School joint program.
Her husband, Dr. JW Bruce, is a professor of electrical engineering at UTC. Their son, Walker, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering at UT Knoxville.
University Mace and Chancellor's Chain of Office
The University Mace and Chancellor's Chain of Office are emblazoned with the institution's name along with symbols of Tennessee, the state whose citizens we serve. Commissioned by the University to artist and State University of New York silversmithing professor Kurt J. Matzdorf, these handcrafted ceremonial pieces create interest and respect by both participants and observers. The University Mace and Chancellor's Chain of Office are significant icons of the institution and stand as impressive symbols on permanent display in the lobby of Founders Hall when not in service.
