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From UTC Communications
CHATTANOOGA—Two members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga family, Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu and Christopher Stokes, have been named recipients of 2026 UT System President’s Awards, the highest honor a faculty or staff member can receive from the UT System.
UT System President Randy Boyd made the announcement, recognizing 14 outstanding faculty and staff members from across the System.
“These awards honor the exceptional talent, service and leadership of faculty and staff systemwide,” Boyd said in his announcement. “Through their work, each honoree strengthens communities and creates lasting impact in Tennessee and beyond. They have earned this distinction and are helping define the greatest decade in UT history.”
Kaplanoglu, department head and professor of engineering management and technology, was recognized in the “Optimistic and Visionary” category.
Stokes, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life in the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community, earned the President’s Award in the “Embrace Differences” category.
Other 2026 UTC nominees included faculty members Dr. Sarah Einstein, Dr. Saeid Golkar, Dr. Liz Hathaway, Dr. Hunter Holzhauer, Dr. Chandra Ward and Dr. Kristi Wick, and staff members Terrence Banks, Dr. Emily Blackman, Allison Evans, Meredith Perry, Chuck Wasserstrom and Sgt. John West.
The President’s Awards were established in 2016 to annually honor UT faculty and staff whose work advances the University’s Be One UT values: Bold and Impactful, Embrace Differences, Optimistic and Visionary, Nimble and Innovative, Excel in All We Do, United and Connected, and Transparent and Trusted.
