140 Events for 140 Years
140 Events for 140 Years
Dear faculty, staff and students,
As part of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 140th anniversary celebration, I am inviting our campus to take part in a new initiative for the 2026–27 academic year: 140 Events for 140 Years.
This effort honors UTC’s founding in 1886 and reflects the legacy we continue to build today. The history of UTC is deeply connected to the story of this city, and our 140th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate that connection in meaningful, visible ways.
Many of you are already hosting or participating in community-connected events, performances, exhibitions, outreach programs, service opportunities and other gatherings throughout the year that welcome members of the public to campus or take UTC into the community.
The goal of this initiative is not to create work where none exists, but to recognize and track the many ways UTC is already engaging the broader community. It will also help us promote your activities and be recognized for it.
We are asking colleges, departments, offices, student organizations and campus partners to identify and report public-facing events that take place during the 2026–27 academic year.
These events should engage audiences beyond our campus and reflect the energy, creativity and service that define UTC. Whether it is a long-standing annual event or a new program created for the anniversary year, each one helps tell the story of UTC’s impact.
By tracking 140 events during our 140th year, we can better showcase the breadth of involvement already happening across campus and demonstrate how UTC continues to serve as a gathering place for learning, dialogue, culture and community connection.
Below is a form to submit events and help us track this important work. If your unit is already planning public programs, we encourage you to include them. If you are considering a new opportunity to engage the community, we welcome that as well.
140 Events for 140 Years is our opportunity to honor our legacy and rally our campus community around a shared purpose—celebrating not only where we have been, but how we continue to show up for Chattanooga.
Thank you for helping us mark this milestone year in ways that reflect the very best of UTC.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lori Bruce
Chancellor