University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HE parent institution of the University of Tennessee was Blount College, founded in 1794 by the General Assembly of the Terri- tory South of the River Ohio, and named after the Governor of the Territory. The College began operations in a two-story wooden build- ing which stood near the northwest corner of the square upon which the First Baptist Church of this city now stands, about where Kuhl- man's drug store is now located. In 1807 Blount College was merged with the newly chartered East Tennessee College, which was designated by the State Legislature to receive the first land grant endowment from the National Government. However, due to lax legislation, unwarranted reduction and shameful postponement attended the collection of this fund; so that, from sheer poverty, East Tennessee College was not able to open its doors until the year 1820, when it united with the Hampden-Sidney Academy that had been chartered at Knoxville in 1806. In 1826 the present site of the University was purchased and the building now called “Old College” was erected. The name of the Col- lege was changed by the Legislature to Hast Tennessee University, in 1840. By the sale of University lands additional buildings were made possible. The varying fortunes of the University were ended for the time by the Civil War. At the close of the war East Tennessee Uni- versity was reorganized and conducted as a classical institution until 1869, when a large land grant from the Federal Government furnished means for the founding of agricultural and mechanical colleges. In compliance with conditions fixed bv the State Legislature the Univer- sity, at that time, established free scholarships, providing for three students from each county of the State. The number of free scholar- ships was increased to two hundred and seventy-five in 1873. Classical studies were kept more or less in the ascendant until 1888, when tech- nical education first began to be fully realized. The Agricultural and Mechanical Departments have, since 1869, received the additional en- dowments given land grant colleges throughout the United States. In 1887 the Federal Government founded the now liberally endowed Ex- periment Station in connection with the Agricultural Departments. The Medical and Dental Departments were established at Nashville in 1879. The Law Department was founded at Knoxville in 1890. The name of the institution was changed to the University of Ten- nessee in 1879. Thus the University became the head and an integral part of the public educational system, standing as the capstone of the educational arch. The State, by this act, pledged the institution its own name and reputation, and gave it the assurance of affuture in keeping with the new dignity it had assumed. Yet, not until 1903 did the State give its University any substantial support. At that time $10,000 was appropriated to the University by the Fifty-third General Assembly. The Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth General Assemblies made appropriations of 825,000 and $100,000, respectively, to the University.

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U NIVKK8ITY OF TKNNESSXK, 1905

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e i m to e fj When the night-shades slumb’rons darken, And the hues of daylight flee; When all nature seems to hearken As to some great mystery: Then does memory, softly sighing. All a-tiptoc, come to me. And my thoughts go swiftly flying Back to dear old Tennessee. And again I see. though dimly. Every patriarchal tree. I.ike a sentry, standing grimly. Tall, and straight, and shadowy. There the river, sinuous winding, Circles 'round the old Hill’s base. And —the ties of ages binding — 1 lolds it in a close embrace. I.ike a rich and rare engraving. Looms the Hill in bold relief; And the feeling of heart-craving Grows till it is past belief. Ever does the twilight’s falling Seem to set this longing free. And my heart is sadly calling. Alma Mater, calling thee. -R. B. IV.