{"id":61410,"date":"2024-09-13T07:52:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T11:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=61410"},"modified":"2024-09-17T16:38:07","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T20:38:07","slug":"happy-138th-anniversary-utc-founders-week-festivities-to-include-grand-opening-of-wolford-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/happy-138th-anniversary-utc-founders-week-festivities-to-include-grand-opening-of-wolford-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy 138th Anniversary! UTC Founder\u2019s Week festivities to include grand opening of Wolford Center"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The 2024 State of the University will serve as the grand opening of the Wolford Family Athletic Center. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

Every September, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga commemorates its creation during Founder\u2019s Week<\/strong><\/a>\u2014a weeklong celebration of the first day in the University\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

On Sept. 15, 1886, Chattanooga University opened its doors with a teaching staff of seven and an enrollment of 118 students. The University became the Chattanooga campus of Grant Memorial University in 1889 and changed its name to the University of Chattanooga in 1907.<\/p>\n

That name lasted until 1969, when the private University of Chattanooga merged with Chattanooga City College\u2014then joined the University of Tennessee system of statewide campuses to become the public institution now known as UTC.<\/p>\n

Founder\u2019s Week 2024 is highlighted by the grand opening of the Wolford Family Athletic Center\u2014the site of Chancellor Steven R. Angle\u2019s annual State of the University address.<\/p>\n

The address by the chancellor\u2014who assumed his role as the 17th leader of the University on July 1, 2013\u2014takes place at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16; click here to RSVP<\/strong><\/a>. The State of the University address also can be viewed via livestream<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"James

James “Bucky” Wolford<\/p><\/div>\n

The Wolford Family Athletic Center is a $36-million project that includes a 37,500-square-foot addition to McKenzie Arena and 23,000 square feet of renovated space. The remodeled space houses a state-of-the-art sports medicine area, a hydrotherapy section and office space.<\/p>\n

Arena renovations include new locker rooms and meeting rooms for the Mocs men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball programs. Highlighted in the new addition are locker rooms, meeting rooms and offices for the football program.<\/p>\n

The center, which features 6,000 square feet of dedicated event space for campus use, is named in honor and memory of UTC alumnus James \u201cBucky\u201d Wolford, who died in September 2017.<\/p>\n

Wolford, a businessman involved in the development of many retail properties throughout the country, including Chattanooga\u2019s Hamilton Place, was a Mocs All-American defensive back from 1966-1969 and a 1989 UTC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.<\/p>\n

\"Each

Each year, UTC honors staff and faculty who have reached significant service milestones.<\/p><\/div>\n

A week of celebration and reflection<\/h4>\n

Another Founder\u2019s Week celebration being held at the Wolford Family Athletic Center is the UTC Service Awards Luncheon<\/strong><\/a>. At the Tuesday, Sept. 17, luncheon, 242 members of the UTC family will be recognized for reaching important service milestones.<\/p>\n

Service awards play a crucial role in rewarding employee contributions, enhancing UTC culture, and promoting retention and engagement. These awards are presented in five-year increments, beginning with the fifth year of regular service.<\/p>\n

Honorees at this year\u2019s event will include 34 individuals who have reached at least 25 years of service. Four of the honorees\u2014Dr. Ahmed Eltom, Dr. Cherry Guinn, David King and Dr. Amye Warren\u2014are celebrating their 40th anniversary at UTC.<\/p>\n

The Founder\u2019s Week calendar offers a distinct lineup of events designed to celebrate UTC\u2019s past while looking forward to its future. Highlights include:<\/p>\n