VMA EVENTS
Watch The Prior Years Veterans Day Tribute
Events
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) and our many sponsors are proud to host very special and unique events for veterans and the military-connected community.
VMA 2025/2026 Event Lineup
2025 Rep Your Branch Days: Last School Day of Each Month From 10 AM to 2 PM
Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) would like to take the opportunity to recognize your military-connection throughout campus! We are calling overall military-connected community to represent their branch on-campus on the last week day of each month! Whether you are a veteran, military service member, military spouse, military dependent, veteran staff member, veteran faculty, etc. We want to see you around campus in your military gear!
- Want a tour or have questions? Meet our VMA Ambassadors and staff to tour our facilities and obtain special access to military-connected student spaces.
- Grab a snack and pick up an Enrichment Package (grocery pantry staples and snacks - household items available upon request) courtesy of Scrappy's Cupboard.
- If you still need school supplies, pick up FREE school supplies courtesy of UTC VMA.
- Find out more about VMA's Tech 4 Vets Program and checkout technology to use each Term (i.e. laptop, TI-84, Scribe Pen, Recording Device, etc.)!
- Fellowship with others in the military-connected community.
Pizza or sandwiches will be promptly served around noon so grab a slice while it's hot (First come, First serve).
We will also have VA Health Care Representative available in the office!
Donate to the VMA Walmart Wishlist or through our Give.UTC.EDU fund.
2025 Woman Veterans Luncheon: April 16th From 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Join the UTC VMA in celebration of women veterans in the University Center, Tennessee Room! All are welcomed to join, but we do ask that you RSVP via email or on MocSync if you are a student, faculty, or alum. This buffet lunch event is open to staff, faculty and students. Come meet women veterans and learn about their military service and unique experiences.
Guest Speaker – Master Sergeant Kathleen (Katie) Staple (U.S. Army, Retired). Katie retired after 20 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Army, where she earned and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. Her technical training focused on Counterintelligence (CI), and she gained extensive experience in various units, including FORSCOM Divisions, Intelligence Brigades within INSCOM and FORSCOM, TRADOC, Special Operations Command Pacific, and Air Defense. Throughout her career, Katie maintained her role in Counterintelligence while also taking on various additional responsibilities, such as Master Resilience Trainer and Equal Opportunity Leader, along with numerous leadership positions at different levels. Currently, Katie serves as the Director of Veteran Initiatives for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). She is passionate about her family of eight, which includes her husband, an Army veteran, and their three boys and three girls.
WE NEED YOUR HELP: UTC VMA is gathering photos of women veterans in uniform or during their service to be featured at the women veterans’ luncheon. Photos may be sent to [email protected] or delivered in person to Veteran and Military Affairs.
Veterans Day 2025 Event: Observed on Wednesday, Nov. 12th
Event: Veteran Food Trucks on Campus
Location: Outside Hooper/Race Hall (Oak Street)
Details: 4th Annual Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) Veterans Day Food Trucks On-Campus Event
Veteran's Stop By to Get Your FREE Food Truck Meal Voucher's, Freebies, and Giveaways!
- Using the "Pay-It-Forward" model from previous year's events, we established a system to provide free food truck vouchers to veterans and military service members which is coordinated through our Give.UTC.EDU fund (when searching for the "area of support" scroll to Student Development and select Veteran and Military Affairs) and would love your support!
- To mail a check or pledge form, send to: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Advancement 615 McCallie Ave., Dept. 6806 Chattanooga, TN 37403. Make checks payable to the University of Chattanooga Foundation. In the memo section of your check, please designate a gift allocation (e.g., Student Development Veteran & Military Affairs).
- As little as a $13 donation will provide support to the military connected population. Additional funding received will help secure future outreach initiatives such as the upcoming "Holiday's 4 Heroes" campaign (outlined in the flyer above). If possible, support would be appreciated but not necessary. You may also show support by attending any or all events! Outlined below is the first of many 2025 Holidays 4 Heroes events.
Military Appreciation Game & Tailgate (Salute to Heroes 2025): TBD.
UTC Veteran and Military Affairs are honored to partner with UTC Athletics in the Salute To Heroes Game Day Celebration on TBD. As with last year, the Salute To Heroes 2025 Series continues to honor our military, veteran, firefighter, first-responder, and law enforcement communities during the game!
Ready for some Tailgating fun? Come out to the Veteran and Military Affairs at their tailgate location at the First Horizon Pavilion in Chattanooga, TN (across from Finley Stadium) as early as 11am where we will sponsor food and *limited-edition game day apparel giveaways (limited-quantities available)!
Date: TBD (Saturday)
Time: 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (Tailgate)
Kickoff: 1:30 PM
Game Tickets: No ticket is needed for the Tailgate. However, for the game, Military Service Members and Veterans show your Military ID at the ticket box office for free entry! Tickets for family members can be purchased on game day. However, stop by the tailgate to see if we have some extra tickets to hand-out.
Veterans, want to get your tickets in advance? Head to GoMocs.com/Tickets and use code HEROES (all caps) to claim your complementary ticket.
Holiday 4 Heroes 2025: Free Pre-Thanksgiving "Taste of Home" Meal & Food Drop: TBD
We understand that not all students want to cook a Thanksgiving meal or have a chance to go home for the holidays. Stop by and pick up your FREE* Pre-Thanksgiving Already Cooked Taste of Home Meal to kick off the holiday spirit! Grab a bag of Thanksgiving staples and supplies to help you plan your Thanksgiving Feast courtesy of SOS's Scrappy's Cupboard and our many sponsors! Military-Connected attendees have a chance to spin the VMA prize wheel to unwrap prizes! #Freebies #Prizes #FreeFood
Location: Hooper/Race Hall (Outside)
*Meals are limited on a first come, first served basis.
Donate to the VMA Walmart Wishlist or through our Give.UTC.EDU fund.
Holiday Social & Fall 2025 Graduation Celebration: TBD
Come celebrate and socialize with our graduating class of Fall 2025! During the Holiday Social, grab a bite and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while we cheer on our graduating class of Fall 2025 and Quilt of Valor®(QOV) Awardees! Graduating veterans and service members will be able to pick up their stoles and cords. Attendees will enjoy the VMA prize wheel (gift cards, vouchers, swag, and more) to kick-off the holiday season! #Freebies #Prizes #FreeFood
Location: University Center, Tennessee Room
RSVP on MocSync Here or send us an email with the event title and how many are in your party.
Know a nominee for the Fall 2025 QOV Awardees! We will be seeking additional nominations soon. For more information about Quilt of Valor® and how to get involved visit https://www.qovf.org/.
Donate to the VMA Walmart Wishlist or through our Give.UTC.EDU fund.