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

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The Departments From the time Blount College, the parent of our University, was founded, until 1869, the only course offered by the University was a purely classical one. The progress and strength of the College of Liberal Arts is admirably shown by the recognition of the University of Tennessee, as one of the ten standard Universities of the South, by the University of Berlin. This is indicative of the quality of the work and the competency of the instructors in this department. Established only 47 years ago, at a time when there was no definitely organized agricultural science to teach, the College of Agriculture has made great progress since its beginning. In 1882, the work began to assume definite proportions, and Morrill, now Carrick Hall, was built for this department. Four years later a Short Course was given, and in 1887 under the Hatch Bill, the Experiment Station, established in 1871, was reorganized. In order to give aid to the farmers of the State, Extension Short Courses were organized in 1909 and in 1914 a permanent Extension Division of the College of Agriculture was made possible by the Smith-Lever Bill. Recently thru the County Court of Knox County the Cherokee tract has been purchased and with this addition greater work is anticipated. The College of Engineering, established in 1869, has from the beginning shown rapid progress. In 1879 the course, which was rather limited, was broadened and courses in Civil, Mechanical and Mining Engineering were offered. In 1888, Reese Hall was erected as Engineering Building, but becoming too small, Estabrook Hall was built in 1898. Owing to the continued growth it was necessary to enlarge this building in 1905. Within the past year an Extension Division of College of Engineering has been established, giving engineering training to employed men. Although this is the first year, the results have indeed been gratifying. The present Medical College of the University is the result of the consolidation of five medical colleges. The first College of Medicine was introduced in 1876. In 1909 it united with the Medical College of the University of Nashville, and was known as the “Joint Medical Department of the University of Nashville and University of Tennessee.” After a union of two years they separated and the University of Nash- ville, withdrawing from medical instruction, transferred all of its equipment to the University of Tennessee. In 1911 this department was transferred from Nashville to Memphis and here united with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1913 it absorbed the Memphis Hospital Medical College and in 1914 the Lincoln Memorial University Medical Department, located at Knoxville, was removed to Memphis. The result of this consolidation is a strong Medical School under single management with better equipment and greater opportunities of advancement. In January, 1890, the first law school connected with the University was opened with a curriculum of 15 months. This course was organized with purpose of giving students a thorough acquaintance with general principles and rules of American Law, so as to fit them for the bar of any State. In 1893, the course was extended to two years and such progress has been made, to meet the standard requirements, the old two-year law school, in 1912 was expanded into the present three-year school which fulfills all the requirements of the Association of American Law Schools. On one of Knoxville’s highest hills, overlooking the Tennessee River, stand the seventeen buildings of the University of Tennessee. It would indeed be difficult to find a more beautiful location for a college, for, between the natural beauties of the Hill, the river lying at its feet, and the great Smoky Mountains in the background, the effect is very satisfying. The campus proper comprises about forty acres and is in the heart of the city. Such is the University as it has progressed through a century and a quarter of development. 11

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The University The history of the University of Tennessee covers a period of one hundred and twenty-two years. Although the institution has not been designated, during all this time, as the University of the State, it has from the first been distinctively a State institution. Blount College, so named in honor of Governor William Blount, was originally char- tered in 1794, by the “Territorial Legislature South of the River Ohio,” and the first school building was located near the center of Knoxville, where the Knoxville Bank Trust Building now stands. This college was the first non-denominationa! school west of the Alleghenies, and was characterized by the liberality of its charter. In 1807, under an Act of Congress, providing for the establishment of two colleges in Tennessee, East Tennessee College was chartered and soon after the franchise and property of Blount College were transferred to the new institution. In 1820 East Tennessee College, having been formerly located at Poplar Springs, was transferred to the present site, Barbara Hill, so-called for Barbara Blount, daughter of Wm. Blount. During the year 1840, the name of East Tennessee College was changed to East Tennessee University, by act of Legislature. This change was suggestive of the success and the widening scope of the institution. During the war the school was closed, but opened again in the spring of 1866. In 1869 the State Legislature appropriated the proceeds of the sale of land scrip, to East Tennessee University. The college, in accord- ance with the provisions of the Morrill Act, established a College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. Although these new courses were offered, classical studies were in ascendancy until 1888, when technical education first began to be fully realized. 1879, is a date ever memorable in the history of our University. This year the Legislature changed the name of East Tennessee University to University of Tennessee. Thus the University became the head and an integral part of the public educational system. In 1887, due to the passage of the “Hatch Bill,” an Agriculture Experiment Station was established at the University. In 1891, the General Assembly assented to grant appropriation of money to College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, under the “New Morrell Act,” and pledged whole of appropriation to University of Tennessee in accordance with contract of 1869. During the last quarter of a century great progress has been made along approved modern lines. Following the trend of modern practice, the institution was opened to women in 1892. Not until 1903 did the State give to the University any substantial support. At that time $100,000 was appropriated to the University by the 53rd General Assembly. The 54th and 55th General Assem- blies also made appropriations of $25,000 and $100,000, respectively. In 1907 the “Nelson Act” was passed, which provided for further support of the College of Agri- culture and Mechanical Arts. At all times the University has done what she could with the means at her com- mand, and has in. spite of adverse conditions, risen rapidly and is still gaining prestige. This is shown by the recognition of the University of Tennessee, as one of the ten standard universities of the South, by the University of Berlin. The University has always labored to fulfill her broad ideal, that of becoming a University of all the people. It has withstood the vicissitudes of a long and checkered career, but in all that time has not struck her colors to low ideals. With the dignity of age but with the energy of youth it confidently relies on the lawmakers of Tennessee to put it where it may become a greater blessing to the present and to the future generation. 10

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Board of Trustees His Excellency, the Governor of Tennessee.........................Ex-Officio The Superintendent of Public Instruction ...................... .Ex-Officio The Commissioner of Agriculture...................................Ex-Officio The President of the University ..................................Ex-Officio Congressional District: First...............Hugh G. Kyle, Rogersville.... Second ......... ... Edward T. Sanford. Knoxville . Third ..............H. Clay Evans, Chattanooga ... Fourth .............J. Ewing Hite, Gallatin ........ Fifth...............W. P. Cooper. Shelbyville....... Sixth...............John Bell Keeble, Nashville .. Seventh ............Samuel N. Warren, Spring Hill Eighth .............I. B. Tigrett, Jackson ......... Ninth...............Spencer F. Thomas, Brownsville Tenth............... Rowan A. Greer, Memphis........ Term Expires . .July 1, 1921 . .July 1, 1923 ...July 1, 1925 . .July 1, 1927 . July 1, 1917 . July 1, 1917 . July 1, 1927 . July 1,1925 . .July 1, 1923 . July 1, 1921 From the City of Knoxville: Hu L. McClung, Knoxville .................................................July 1,1919 James Maynard, Knoxville..................................................July 1,1919 From the City of Memphis: Bolton Smith, Memphis........................................July 1,1927 James S. Robinson, Memphis...................................July 1,1927 OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. Brown Ayres................................................................President Thomas D. Morris.......................................................... Treasurer William Rule...............................................................Secretary Alumni Association OFFICERS: President—J. Pike Powers, Jr., B.A., LL.B., Knoxville, Tenn. Vice-President for East Tennessee—Fred C. Houk, LL.B., Knoxville, Tenn. Vice-President for Middle Tennessee—J. C. R. McCall, B.A., Nashville, Tenn. Vice-President for West Tennessee—Rowan A. Greer, B.A., LL.B., Memphis, Tenn. Secretary—J. Bailey Wray, LL.B., Knoxville, Tenn. Treasurer—Robert S. Young, B.A., Knoxville, Tenn.