Notable Alumni of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), a public university with a rich history, has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. From politics and military service to the arts, sciences, and business, UTC graduates have left an indelible mark on the world. This article explores the lives and achievements of some of the university's most notable alumni.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

William "Muecke" Barker: Champion of the Tennessee Judicial System

Senator William “Muecke” Barker dedicated over 25 years to the Tennessee Judicial System, beginning in 1983 when he was appointed circuit court judge for Tennessee’s 11th judicial district. His commitment to justice led to his appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1998. He was subsequently elected to a full eight-year term and again in 2006. In 2005, his colleagues unanimously chose him to become chief justice, a testament to his leadership and integrity.

Barker maintained a close relationship with the Chattanooga campus throughout his career. He was named the UT Chattanooga Distinguished Alumnus in 2007 and served as an adjunct professor of political science. In 2000, he was recognized as the Student Government Association Outstanding Adjunct Professor. Following his retirement from the Supreme Court in September 2008, Barker joined the Chattanooga-based legal firm Chambliss, Bahner, and Stophel as "of counsel."

Maxfield Bahner lauded Barker's contributions, stating, "The reason our legal system works is because of men like Muecke Barker, who since his early days as a practitioner was a person in whom people could have confidence." He further emphasized the qualities that defined Barker's career: "To do what Muecke Barker has done with his life requires a wife like Cathy, self-discipline, hard work and dedication to the noblest and highest ideals."

General B.B. Bell III: A Distinguished Military Career

General (ret.) B.B. Bell III graduated from the University of Chattanooga and the ROTC Mocs Battalion in 1969, initially planning a brief stint in the military. However, his career path took a different turn. He rose through the ranks to become a four-star general, commanding the U.S. Army in Europe, as well as NATO’s land component headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. He also served as commander of U.S. Forces in Korea and commander of all allied forces in Korea.

Bell is a staunch advocate for traditional American values, stating, "We need to re-establish the patriotic values that were established by our Founding Fathers and in our Declaration of Independence. These are not trite statements on some old piece of paper. They are a manifesto for human beings to live their lives in peace and freedom."

Maxie McFarland

Maxie L. McFarland, another distinguished alumnus, served as a Major General in the U.S. Army. Before his passing on November 8, 2013, he held the position of Executive Vice President for Strategic Planning at the Sierra Nevada Corporation, commencing in June 2011. His prior role was as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2, at the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command located at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Demonstrating his significant contributions to military intelligence, McFarland was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 2014. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, a testament to his dedication and service to the nation.

Pioneers in Arts and Education

George Connor: A Lasting Impact on Literature Education

George Connor, a World War II veteran, was honored by the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., for his extraordinary heroism during the liberation of Zwodau and Falkenau-an-der-Eger, subcamps of the Flossenbürg concentration camp, on May 8, 1945. After his military service, Connor earned a bachelor’s degree in American literature from UTC in 1947.

He taught in the Chattanooga public school system for four years and was the founding executive director of the Adult Education Council before joining UTC as a professor in 1959. Upon his retirement in 1985, UTC established the George Connor Professorship in American Literature to honor his contributions. Then-UTC Provost John Trimpey acknowledged Connor's profound influence on students, stating, "(New teachers) will not have the impact on our students that you have had. They won’t bring the integrity to their work that you have done. They won’t replace your wit, style and high seriousness."

Dorothy Hackett Ward: A Champion of Theater

Dorothy Hackett Ward, a 1928 graduate of the University of Chattanooga with a degree in French, dedicated her life to the theater. She furthered her education with a master’s of fine arts in drama from Yale University and returned to Chattanooga as a theater professor in 1938.

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Ward led the University Players and established the Harlequin Players, an improvisational street theater troupe for children. She served as the head of the University of Chattanooga department of drama and speech for many years and was named the Guerry Professor of Drama and Speech in 1964. Ward also helped found the Chattanooga Opera and served as its stage director for 32 years, believing that everyone should experience live theater and participate in a play at least once.

Dennis Haskins: From UTC to "Saved by the Bell"

Chattanooga native Dennis Haskins is widely recognized as Mr. Belding, the beloved high school principal from "Saved By The Bell" and its spin-offs. Haskins left UTC in the 1970s, just short of graduation, to work in the music industry as a manager, agent, and promoter. He began his acting career with a role on the first episode of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Haskins played Mr. Belding for over a decade, and the show gained international popularity, airing in over 87 countries. He remained connected to his hometown and alma mater, receiving the campus’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2000. In December 2015, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by completing his bachelor’s degree from UT Chattanooga. Haskins also donated his personal working script collection from every episode of "Saved by the Bell" to the UTC library.

Reflecting on his iconic role, Haskins stated, "So many people recognize me as Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell, a show that started out on Saturday mornings and eventually went to over 87 countries. It’s a phenomenon that has not been matched by any other Saturday morning TV show."

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan, celebrated for his acting and playwriting talents, garnered an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Beverley Leslie in "Will And Grace." Furthermore, he originated the character of "Brother Boy" in both the stage production and film adaptation of "Sordid Lives," marking significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

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Other Talented Alumni in Theatre

Marty: Received an M.F.A.
Jeff: Won Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play in the World Premiere Production of Clive Barker’s In The Flesh at the Organic Theatre in Chicago.
Whitney: Received her M.F.A.
Ashanti: Received her M.F.A.
Brian: Received an M.F.A. in Film Studies at Northwestern University.
Carlene: Can often be seen on the stage at the Chattanooga Theatre Center and Shakespeare Chattanooga.
Jamie: Is studying for her M.F.A.
Malcolm: Was nominated for Chicago’s 2000 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director for his production of Laughter On the Twenty-Third Floor for Open Eye Productions.
Gaye: Is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre at UTC. Chicago theatre credits include: Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Northlight Theatre, National Jewish Theatre, Cloud 42 Productions, Lifeline Theatre, and Chicago Dramatists. Gaye’s play Philo, based on Sophocles’ Philoctetes, was workshopped at the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and has been produced at Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University.
Kannon: Is currently the Head Video engineer at Coke HQ in Atlanta.
Jess: Recently began her ninth season at Chicago Shakespeare as a dresser.
Patti: Is a professional actor, most recently seen in the title role in the National Tour of The Drowsy Chaperone. Other recent credits include: National tour of Little Women (Marmee), 1st National tour of The Wedding Singer (Rosie), 1st National tour of Oklahoma! (Aunt Eller) and 2nd Regional Premier of Midlife!
Lisa: Has been the musical director and ensemble member at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago for over twenty years. Lisa has also served as musical director at Second City as well as Chicago Shakespeare.
Barbara: Is a stand-up comedian working in clubs throughout the Southeast and Midwest.
DEANNA M.: Deanna is a free-lance costume designer and theatre arts teacher. Her work as been seen in costumes for productions at Georgia Shakespeare Company, True Colors Theatre Company, Theatre Mercado, Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts and Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center.
Lydia: Is currently pursuing a Masters in Education at UVA Falls Church. Prior to that she worked as a props designer at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington D.C.
Ben: Is an actor, an Obie-Award winning sound designer, and director in New York City. He is a member of Elevator Repair Service and a found member of minor theatre with Julia Jarcho. Other collaborators include Christina Masciotti, The Wooster Group, Lily Whitsitt and Door 10, Suzanne Bocanegra, Sibyl Kempson, Rich Maxwell, and Moises Kaufman. He has toured extensively across 5 continents, to venues including the Sydney Opera House, the Prague Quadrennial, the American Repertory Theater, and the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s West End. Ben also teaches sound design at The New School and edits the Performance Texts Section for BODY, an online journal.
Brenda: Has an M.F.A. in costume design from the University of Connecticut. She has worked in Chicago as a freelance costume designer for over 10 years.
Annie: Is currently an actor in Atlanta, having completed the intern program at Actors’ Express, where she performed in NEW CENTURY, SLASHER, and DISASSEMBLY.
Andrew: New York theatre credits include a nomination for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for his work with the Babel Theatre Project.

Paul Landry: Chronicler of Appalachia

Paul Landry is an accomplished TV host and producer, author, playwright, and actor, known for his storytelling abilities. His "Heartland Series" celebrated the people and land of Appalachia, finding wonder in everyday human existence.

Landry has received numerous accolades, including Emmys, the Education in Appalachia Award from Carson-Newman University, and an honorary doctorate in humanities from Lincoln Memorial University. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus from UT Chattanooga in 2015. After the TV series, Landry authored three books about Appalachia, including "Buddy: Dog of the Smoky Mountains," a children’s book.

Landry believes in the enduring power of stories, stating, "All great stories once told are told again."

Innovators in Science and Business

Irvine Grote: The Chemistry Behind Heartburn Relief

Irvine Grote, former head of the chemistry department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, invented dihydroxy aluminum sodium carbonate, a key ingredient in heartburn relief medications. Grote held 75 patents in his field of chemistry.

He began his career at pharmaceutical manufacturer William S. Merrell but left to work for Michigan-based Parke, Davis and Co. In 1931, he returned to Chattanooga as an associate professor of chemistry at UTC. Within 10 years, Grote became head of the chemistry department and a scientific advisor for Chattanooga Medicine Company, which later became Chattem.

Diane Grob Schmidt: A Pioneer in Chemistry

Diane Grob Schmidt, a 1945-born American chemist, held an executive position at Procter & Gamble Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1981 to 2014. In 2015, she served as president of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society. As of 2022, she was the chair of the board of visitors for the department of chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Schmidt credits her early interest in chemistry to Madame Marie Curie, whose work inspired her fair-winning project on fluorescence in certain minerals. She describes chemistry as "a very creative field."

F. Christopher Weber, MD: Advancing Head and Neck Surgery

Dr. F. Christopher Weber graduated from UT Chattanooga with a bachelor’s in chemistry in 1975 and earned a medical degree from UT Health Science Center College of Medicine. He has served as professor and held leadership roles at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Weber is currently a professor and chair of the department of head and neck surgery, surgical division, at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Weber finds great satisfaction in mentoring new fellows, sharing his knowledge and experience to help them become excellent surgeons.

Max Fuller: Driving Innovation in the Trucking Industry

Max Fuller co-founded US Xpress in 1986, distinguishing it as a leader in technology and innovation within the trucking industry. US Xpress was an early adopter of technologies such as in-truck satellite communications, auto-shift transmissions, and right-side blind spot cameras.

Fuller's commitment to innovation led to a research partnership with the UTC SimCenter, where researchers developed prototypes to reduce wind resistance and increase fuel efficiency on trucks. By closing the gap between truck cabs and trailers, they improved fuel efficiency by 9 percent. Fuller believes that "conservation is good business."

Kim White: Shaping Chattanooga's Future

Kim White has played a significant role in the revitalization of Chattanooga. She worked in real estate relocation in Augusta, Georgia, and had a successful career with ALLTEL Communications in Birmingham, Alabama, and Fort Myers, Florida, before returning to her hometown.

White is dedicated to ensuring a bright future for Chattanooga, stating, "When I came back, I felt the city was calling me home, and now I get to be part of this city’s great future."

Bucky Wolford: A Legacy in Retail Development

Bucky Wolford, who passed away, was a key figure in retail development. He started his career in retail development with the Arlen Shopping Center Group in 1970. Eight years later, he co-founded CBL and Associates, which became one of the largest shopping center developers in the United States. Wolford emphasized the importance of teamwork, a philosophy he carried throughout his career.

Voices in Journalism and Politics

Davan Maharaj: Leading the Los Angeles Times

Davan Maharaj, a native of Trinidad, approached his time at UT Chattanooga with a journalist's curiosity and focus on finding a good story. After graduation, he interned at The Los Angeles Times and rose to become editor-in-chief and publisher of the Los Angeles Times Media Group, overseeing the largest daily newsgathering organization in the western United States.

Maharaj believes in the power of journalism to do good and make a difference, stating, "I always thought about doing the right thing in the moment and being righteous. That’s why I got into journalism. It’s about doing good and making a difference. It sounds trite, but it has the benefit of being both corny and true."

Tom Griscom: From Journalism to the White House

Tom Griscom's career has spanned metropolitan newspapers, the White House, and Fortune 500 companies. He began as a reporter for The Chattanooga Times Free Press before working on Capitol Hill.

Griscom played a role in shaping political discourse as part of the team that wrote President Reagan’s 1987 Berlin speech, which included the famous line, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" He later transitioned to careers in public affairs and media relations, serving as the first West Chair of Excellence at UTC. In his final editorial as publisher, Griscom emphasized the importance of an informed public in a free society.

Zach Wamp

Zach Wamp served as a U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district from 1995 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party, his district was based in Chattanooga and included large parts of East Tennessee, including Oak Ridge.

Other Alumni in Politics

John Wolfe Jr.: Was an American attorney and perennial political candidate. He was the Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District in 2002 and 2004. He was best known for having challenged President Barack Obama for the Democratic Party's 2012 presidential nomination. He ultimately emerged as the most successful challenger, receiving the second-highest number of delegates (23) and popular votes (116,639).
Harold Roe Bartle: Served two terms as mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. After Bartle helped lure the Dallas Texans American Football League team to Kansas City in 1962, owner Lamar Hunt renamed the franchise the Kansas City Chiefs after Bartle's nickname, The Chief.
Bo Watson: Is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee Senate, representing the 11th district since 2007.
Xenophon Hicks: United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and previously was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
J. Daniel Howard: Was Special Assistant to President of the United States Ronald Reagan from July 1986 to February 1988, United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs from February 1988 to May 1989 and Under Secretary of the Navy from 1989 to 1993.
Walter White: Was an American educator and politician from the state of Tennessee. White served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 10th floterial district non-consecutively from 1909 to 1949, and in the Tennessee Senate from 1911 to 1913, as a member of the Republican Party. He also served as the superintendent of county schools in Rhea County, Tennessee, from the 1920s to 1940s, and was a figure in the 1925 Scopes trial, helping to organize and publicize the event.
David Fowler: Is an American politician and a former member of the Tennessee Senate for the 11th district, which comprises part of Hamilton County.
Vince Dean: Is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 30th district, which encompasses part of Hamilton County. He previously served as State House Majority Floor Leader. He resigned from his seat on August 31, 2014, as he was elected to be the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk.
W. Craig Lawing: Was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives (1971-1976) and of the North Carolina Senate (1977-1984) representing Mecklenburg County, and served as President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate for three terms (1979-1984). While a senator, Lawing was a sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment, which the legislature rejected.
Joshua L. Johns: Representative from Wisconsin.

Athletes Who Excelled

Terrell Owens: A Football Legend

Terrell Eldorado Owens, also known as T.O., is considered one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. He played for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and ranks third in career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Owens played wide receiver for the Mocs from 1992 to 1995.

Cole Strange

Cole Strange, an alumnus of the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, earned his bachelor's degree in psychology in 2020. He is currently an American professional football center for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Strange played college football at Chattanooga and was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Other Athletes

Corey Levin: Is an American professional football guard for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Levin played college football at Chattanooga.
C.J. Board: Is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Chattanooga.
Lanni Marchant: Is a Canadian long distance runner from London, Ontario. On October 20, 2013, Marchant set the Canadian women's marathon record at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, beating the 28-year-old national record by running it in exactly 2:28:00. This record held until March 10, 2019 when Rachel Cliff established the new marathon national record in 2:26:56. Marchant participated at the 2016 Summer Olympics both in the 10,000 metres and marathon events.
Kareem Orr: Is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at Chattanooga.
Mindaugas Katelynas: Is a Lithuanian professional basketball player.
Eldra Buckley: Is former American football running back. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2007, after playing college football at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Keddric Mays: Is an American professional basketball player for Baltur Cento of the Italian Serie A2 Basket.
McClendon Curtis: Is an American professional football offensive guard for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Chattanooga.
Stephan Jäger: Is a German professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He has won six tournaments on the second tier Korn Ferry Tour in the United States. He won his first PGA Tour event at the 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open.
Christine Wolf: Is an Austrian professional golfer.
Howard Clark: Is a former American football player who played with the Los Angeles / San Diego Chargers. He played college football at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Other Notable Alumni

Hugh Beaumont: Was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Ward Cleaver on the television series Leave It to Beaver, originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963, and as private detective Michael Shayne in a series of low-budget crime films in 1946 and 1947.
Anthony Burger: Was an American pianist and singer, most closely associated with Southern gospel music.
Cherie Priest: Is an American novelist and blogger living in Seattle, Washington.
Mike Bradbury: Is an American college basketball coach who is the current head coach of the New Mexico Lobos women's basketball team.
David Wade: Recognized as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for extraordinary service to alma mater, field, and community. Led EPB’s effort to design and build Chattanooga’s community-wide fiber optic network.
Zan Guerry: Recognized as the 2023 Outstanding Service Award recipient for deep connection to UTC and contributions to the university's momentum.

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