8 AM—Dr. Liz Hathaway (UC Foundation Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance)

· Selected as the 2023–2024 All‑Southern Conference Faculty Team representative from UTC, highlighting her outstanding contributions to teaching and campus life

· Teaches and mentors students in the Health and Human Performance department, bringing a student-centered approach to her academic and advising roles.

· Actively engaged in fostering student wellness and performance—helping integrate physical education, health awareness, and human movement science into campus initiatives.

· Earned bachelor’s degrees in both economics and sports studies from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in public health from Georgia Southern University, and a master’s in kinesiology from Georgia College. She returned to the University of Georgia for her doctoral degree in kinesiology before arriving at UTC in 2016.

 

8:15 AM—Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt (UC Foundation Professor and Head of Department of Criminal Justice)

· Named a recipient of the 2025 UT System President’s Awards, earning recognition in the “Optimistic and Visionary” category—one of the highest honors awarded across the UT System.

· Founded and directs UTC’s Violence Reduction Initiative (VRI)—a research and policy center focused on public safety, firearm violence prevention, and community-centered crime intervention.

· Championed the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in collaboration with Chattanooga Police, contributing to a 27% drop in firearm homicides, 36% decrease in overall homicides, and 42% fewer shooting victims; the initiative was recognized with the ATF’s Excellence in Crime Gun Intelligence Award.

· Through VRI, secured substantial federal funding—including nearly $2 million for the CURV (Chattanooga United to Reduce Violence) project and $844,000 for a Recidivism Reduction Initiative—supporting community partnerships, trauma-informed care, and student-led research.

 

 

8:30 AM—Dr. Elizabeth O’Brien (UC Foundation Professor and Director of the School of Professional Studies

· Principal investigator of UTC’s newly launched B‑HIP (Behavioral Healthcare through InterProfessional Training) initiative, supported by a four‑year, $2.4 million HRSA grant, aimed at training graduate students in counseling, psychology, social work and school psychology to serve underserved Southeast Tennessee communities; activities include stipends, community internships, mentoring, telehealth training and simulation-based digital learning assets.

· Leads a multidisciplinary faculty team collaborating across programs to strengthen behavioral health services across an 11‑county region with critical provider shortages.

· Is the current chair of the American Counseling Association Foundation’s Board of Trustees, a group that serves as the altruistic arm of ACA.

· Her new book, “Power in the Middle: Navigating Your Midlife with Confidence,” published in July, offers midlife women practical tools and reflective exercises to redefine their values and embrace life’s second half with confidence.

 

8:45 AM—Tim Gritten (Dean, UTC Library)

· Appointed Dean of the UTC Library effective July 1, 2024, after serving six years as Executive Director of the Library and Special Collections at Texas A&M University–San Antonio.

· Former roles include leadership positions in academic and public libraries across the Midwest and Texas, including Wayne State University, Indiana State University and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

· Believes libraries should serve as central hubs for campus and community—helping students discern fact from opinion and preparing them to navigate evolving information technologies, including AI, VR and AR.

· A board-game aficionado—his favorites include Ark Nova, Power Grid, Through the Ages, and The Crew—and he even helped play-test several games; the library supports his passion with a diverse collection for student use.

8 AM&mdash;Dr. Liz Hathaway (UC Foundation Associate Professor, Health and Human Performance)
&middot; Selected as the 2023&ndash;2024 All‑Southern Conference Faculty Team representative from UTC, highlighting her outstanding contributions to teaching and campus life
&middot; Teaches and mentors students in the Health and Human Performance department, bringing a student-centered approach to her academic and advising roles.
&middot; Actively engaged in fostering student wellness and performance&mdash;helping integrate physical education, health awareness, and human movement science into campus initiatives.
&middot; Earned bachelor&rsquo;s degrees in both economics and sports studies from the University of Georgia, a master&rsquo;s degree in public health from Georgia Southern University, and a master&rsquo;s in kinesiology from Georgia College. She returned to the University of Georgia for her doctoral degree in kinesiology before arriving at UTC in 2016.
&nbsp;
8:15 AM&mdash;Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt (UC Foundation Professor and Head of Department of Criminal Justice)
&middot; Named a recipient of the 2025 UT System President&rsquo;s Awards, earning recognition in the &ldquo;Optimistic and Visionary&rdquo; category&mdash;one of the highest honors awarded across the UT System.
&middot; Founded and directs UTC&rsquo;s Violence Reduction Initiative (VRI)&mdash;a research and policy center focused on public safety, firearm violence prevention, and community-centered crime intervention.
&middot; Championed the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in collaboration with Chattanooga Police, contributing to a 27% drop in firearm homicides, 36% decrease in overall homicides, and 42% fewer shooting victims; the initiative was recognized with the ATF&rsquo;s Excellence in Crime Gun Intelligence Award.
&middot; Through VRI, secured substantial federal funding&mdash;including nearly $2 million for the CURV (Chattanooga United to Reduce Violence) project and $844,000 for a Recidivism Reduction Initiative&mdash;supporting community partnerships, trauma-informed care, and student-led research.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
8:30 AM&mdash;Dr. Elizabeth O&rsquo;Brien (UC Foundation Professor and Director of the School of Professional Studies
&middot; Principal investigator of UTC&rsquo;s newly launched B‑HIP (Behavioral Healthcare through InterProfessional Training) initiative, supported by a four‑year, $2.4 million HRSA grant, aimed at training graduate students in counseling, psychology, social work and school psychology to serve underserved Southeast Tennessee communities; activities include stipends, community internships, mentoring, telehealth training and simulation-based digital learning assets.
&middot; Leads a multidisciplinary faculty team collaborating across programs to strengthen behavioral health services across an 11‑county region with critical provider shortages.
&middot; Is the current chair of the American Counseling Association Foundation&rsquo;s Board of Trustees, a group that serves as the altruistic arm of ACA.
&middot; Her new book, &ldquo;Power in the Middle: Navigating Your Midlife with Confidence,&rdquo; published in July, offers midlife women practical tools and reflective exercises to redefine their values and embrace life&rsquo;s second half with confidence.
&nbsp;
8:45 AM&mdash;Tim Gritten (Dean, UTC Library)
&middot; Appointed Dean of the UTC Library effective July 1, 2024, after serving six years as Executive Director of the Library and Special Collections at Texas A&amp;M University&ndash;San Antonio.
&middot; Former roles include leadership positions in academic and public libraries across the Midwest and Texas, including Wayne State University, Indiana State University and the University of Wisconsin&ndash;Milwaukee.
&middot; Believes libraries should serve as central hubs for campus and community&mdash;helping students discern fact from opinion and preparing them to navigate evolving information technologies, including AI, VR and AR.
&middot; A board-game aficionado&mdash;his favorites include Ark Nova, Power Grid, Through the Ages, and The Crew&mdash;and he even helped play-test several games; the library supports his passion with a diverse collection for student use.

https://www.wgow.com Podcasts from Chattanooga's Talk Monster--Talk Radio 102.3, WGOW-FM!

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