University of Tennessee at Chattanooga former Chancellor Angle leaves a legacy of transformation
Dr. Steve Angle attended more than 50 commencements for thousands of students during his time as chancellor. (Photo by Angela Foster/University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)
After University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s former Chancellor Dr. Steve Angle transitioned from his leadership role to join the faculty on Jan. 1, university officials said his 11 years at the helm marked “a period of significant growth and innovation” that elevated the university’s reputation and prospects for future success.
According to a recent news release, Angle served as UTC’s 17th leader since July 1, 2013. He was the fourth-longest-serving leader in the institution’s history and the second-longest since UTC joined the University of Tennessee System in 1969.
“This is not a goodbye. It’s a hello to my next chapter. And the best part is that I get to do it right here at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga,” Angle said in a public statement. “As I think back on the last 11.5 years, I am struck not by the buildings we have built or the programs that have been launched—although those are significant—but by the people who have made it all possible.”
UTC officials said Angle’s vision for UTC was “to establish the university as a vital partner to the city of Chattanooga, the region, and the state.” Under his leadership, officials said, UTC emerged as a leader in student success, workforce development, and groundbreaking research. Angle also oversaw 84 projects that invested over $710 million into the UTC campus, such as the new Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, the upcoming addition to Fletcher Hall and the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, improved athletic facilities, and new student housing.
In addition to those investments, the university invested an “unprecedented” $400 million in seven new capital projects during the 2024-25 school year. The Wolford Family Athletic Center was recently the first of those major projects to reach completion, adding state-of-the-art sports medicine, hydrotherapy, and mental health facilities for student-athletes. The university also recently broke ground on the Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, which will serve as the future home of the School of Nursing. The 90,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed by 2028, will feature advanced simulation labs, modern classrooms, and collaborative spaces. Other projects completed during his time as chancellor include the $50-million UTC Library, the revitalization of Chamberlain Pavilion, and the renovation of Lupton Hall and the Guerry Center.
According to the news release, UTC also welcomed its largest freshman class in fall 2024 for a second consecutive year, which contributed to record-high enrollment. Graduate enrollment has also surged under Angle’s leadership.
Philanthropy also flourished under Angle’s leadership, with more than $247 million raised during his tenure. Fiscal year 2024 was a record-breaking year, with over $60 million in donations from 6,762 donors. Milestone gifts included a $40-million contribution to name the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and $30 million for the upcoming expansion of Fletcher Hall, among other contributions.
The news release also noted that Angle played a key role in the creation of the UTC Research Institute, which was established as a “strategic engine” for increasing research funding and building interdisciplinary partnerships. University officials said UTC’s strategic focus on “critical areas such as transportation technologies and quantum research” underscored the University’s commitment to local industry partnerships and community priorities.
“The institution has embraced the future by expanding faculty expertise in quantum technologies and developing a curriculum designed to prepare a new workforce for quantum companies. These initiatives make the campus a gateway for partnerships, attracting talent and entrepreneurship to the Chattanooga area,” the news release added.
During Angle’s tenure, the news release said, research funding rose by 52 percent, reaching $15.5 million in 2024. Two new Ph.D. programs in mobility and quantum sciences are also under development to help shape the workforce of tomorrow. UTC officials said his leadership strengthened the University’s role as a “regional powerhouse” and “positioned it to continue making meaningful contributions to the city, state, and beyond.”
After leaving a legacy of transformation at UTC, Angle said he is excited to teach once again as a faculty member.
“As I prepare to transition back to the faculty, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. Teaching has always been my passion, fueled by the energy of a classroom and the joy of helping students connect their learning to the real world,” he said in a public statement. “Organic chemistry, my area of expertise, is often seen as daunting, but I see it as an opportunity to inspire curiosity and wonder. I want students to leave my class not only with knowledge but with a sense of possibility and a spark of creativity.”
