MATHEMATICS WELCOMES NEW DEPARTMENT HEAD, CHRISTOPHER L. COX Christopher Cox came to UTC in July 2019 from Clemson University where he was professor and chair of the Mathematical Sciences Department. In his final year at Clemson, the department transitioned to the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, with Cox as the acting director. From freshman calculus to graduate-level numerical analysis, Cox has taught courses at all levels. His research interests are primarily in the area of modeling of fluid flows, including filtration and polymer processing, often using finite element methods. Cox has a Ph.D. in mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University.
COMMUNICATION HEAD NOMINATED FOR AND RECEIVES FELLOWSHIP Felicia McGhee, interim head of the Department of Communication, is one of nine people nationwide selected to participate in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s Institute for Diverse Leadership in Journalism and Communication. The institute focuses on increasing the number of people of color and women who serve as chairs, deans, directors and endowed chairs in journalism and communication education. It also works to increase the number of women and people of color who hold professorships as well as sit on educational and professional board seats with journalism and communication organizations. “It is my sincere hope to take all of the skills I learn from this fellowship and apply them here at UTC,” McGhee says. “I love this institution and I want to be the best leader I can, for our department and the University.”
NEW DIRECTOR/CURATOR HIRED FOR UTC CRESS GALLERY Rachel Jobe Reese scheduled to be finished in fall 2020. Reese will help joined UTC as director guide the gallery’s plans for increasing the number and curator of the Cress of exhibitions as well as initiatives to create deeper Gallery of Art in January. connections with both the campus and Chattanooga “I’m excited to get as a whole. on campus and engage She also will oversee the care, maintenance, and with the energetic management of the University’s permanent collection faculty artists and of art and will teach one undergraduate course per students,” Reese says. year. “It’s a very exciting Reese was at Telfair Museums in Savannah, Georgia, time for contemporary from 2015-19 where she led the permanent collection art in Tennessee and of modern and contemporary art. Before Savannah, Chattanooga. I’m thrilled to bring my passion for she curated exhibitions at the Atlanta Contemporary contemporary art and artists in the Southeast to UTC Art Center, Fleisher/Ollman Gallery in Philadelphia through artist-driven conversations, and I’m looking and Deitch Projects, Petzel Gallery and Andrew Kreps forward to joining new colleagues in the city and state Gallery in New York City. that already share artist-centric missions.” She has a master’s degree in fine arts from City The Cress Gallery is inside the UTC Fine Arts College of New York and a bachelor’s degree in fine Center, which is undergoing a major renovation that is arts from the University of Georgia. PHOTO: RAINA JACKSON
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