Hall of Fame
Dr. Fred Obear served as Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1981-1997. He also held the role in an interim basis during the 2004-05 academic year. He was a tremendous advocate for athletics throughout his tenure at UTC and continues that serve with his wife Ruth to this day.
The couple was awarded the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame’s Harold Wilkes Award in 2017. This honor goes to a supporter, volunteer, coach, staff member or university administrator who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in furthering the success of Chattanooga Athletics in the classroom, in competition and in the community.
Dr. Obear is a native of Massachusetts and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of New Hampshire. Since his retirement from UTC, he has won countless University and civic honors from the Chattanooga community and is currently a Chancellor Emeritus.
In 1985, Obear was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from his undergraduate alma mater. In 1990, he was honored by the American Council on Education (ACE) for his outstanding efforts and contributions to the organization.
