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

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DEAN PORTER The College of Liberal Arts The College of Liberal Arts furnishes the connecting link between the University of Tennessee, with its diversi- fied educational interests, and the older Universities whose instruction was entirely along classical lines. While everyone recognizes the cultural value of clas- sical training, the University attempts an adjustment of educational values line enough to preserve a proper bal- ance between all colleges. This means that the College of Liberal Arts, which after all forms a basis for subse- quent study along professional lines, receives its just share of attention. This College comprehends undergraduate study in all phases of human thought that are not distinctly profes- sional or technical in character. Page Twenty

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Women in the University paw 1n the matter of education for women Tennessee occupies a unique position for it was here in Blount College, the parent institution of the University of Tennessee, that the first academic degree was con- ferred upon a woman in the United States. This woman was Barbara Blount, the daughter of the governor for whom the college was named. After these early years women ceased to be admitted to the college which developed through successive stages from Blount College to East Tennessee College, East Tennessee University, and finally to the University of Tennessee. Not until the last decade of the century, in 1893, were the halls of the University formally re-opened to women. This act of the trustees was spoken of as 21 Uformidable enterprise Which was undertaken with fear and trembling and re- luctancef, The misgivings were due in part to the fact that Ten- nessee was a pioneer state in the matter of CO-education. Not until the last few years have the majority of the state universities south of the Mason and Dixon line admitted women to the same class rooms with men. For more than thirty years now the daughters of the state have been receiving advantages and training for life equal to those of the sons of Tennessee. By this means may the great end be achieved of preparing all the future Citizens of our state to meet their responsi- bilities fearlessly, strong of purpose, clear of vision, and noble in en- deavor. Page Nineteen

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DEAN MCDERMOTT The College of Law The College of Law of the University of Tennessee was organized for the purpose of giving to its students a training second to none in the country. The law school is fully equipped to fit students for the bar of any state, so thorough is the acquaint- ance With the general principles and rules of American law that it gives them. The College of Law is a member of the Association of American Law schools and is also fully registered by the New York State Education Department. The old idea that southern schools and universities are not up to the standard of what the North and East offer has been entirely displaced. They have realized what the best element of American youth demands and to meet these demands they have rais- ed the standards as well as the entrance requirements of the colleges. These more stringent requirements have not in the least cut down attendance anywhere. On the contrary, a higher type of student is seeking admission into our colleges. The Tennessee School of Law has been no exception to this general condition. While it has never concerned itself with numbers, more students than ever are entering with the present high standards. The case system of instruction, generally regarded as the most approved method of instruction in law, has been adopted 'in all courses. In addition to the regular courses. there are given at regular intervals lectures by judges and leading lawyers on special branches of law, with particular reference to Tennessee decisions. Page Twenty-ane