The chair lift unveiling at the UTC Aquatic and Recreation Center. Pictured, from left: Kate Dennis (aquatics and safety coordinator), Daphne Kirksey (external affairs manager, Tennessee American Water), Ryan Jones (senior associate athletics director for development), Brent Goldberg (vice chancellor for finance and administration), Grant Evitts (president, Tennessee American Water), Corbin Hedges (associate director for Campus Recreation), Aaron Grisham (executive director of University Center and Aquatic and Recreation Center), Trevor Yacopino (maintenance technician, Campus Recreation), Dr. Artanya Wesley (vice chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs).
photo by Angela Foster/UTC
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Aquatic and Recreation Center has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation in partnership with Tennessee American Water to install a new ADA-compliant chair lift, enhancing accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges.
The donation was awarded through the American Water Charitable Foundation's State Strategic Impact grant program, part of the 2024 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. This initiative focuses on three pillars of giving—water, people and communities—supporting high-impact projects across American Water’s national footprint.
“At Tennessee American Water, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve and are proud to announce a Foundation grant to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to provide more accessibility for people with mobility issues to be able to enjoy the swimming pool at the campus Aquatic Center,” said Grant Evitts, president of Tennessee American Water.
"Through the American Water Charitable Foundation, we are able to enhance our partnership with UTC that also includes improvements in the water infrastructure that services the campus.”
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water—the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States.
“We are deeply grateful to Tennessee American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation for their generous support in helping us improve accessibility at the Aquatic and Recreation Center,” UTC Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley said. “The new ADA-compliant chair lift will make it easier for individuals with mobility challenges to access the pool, ensuring they can fully participate in and enjoy all that our facility has to offer.”
“Support from our corporate partners is so important in what our campus can do for our students and their experience while at UTC,” said Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Executive Director of the UC Foundation Kim White. “Philanthropy can come in many forms, and we’re grateful to Tennessee American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation for their assistance in making a campus asset more accessible for more people.”