First NCAA Woman of the Year Award Recipient
The NCAA established the Woman of the Year award in 1991 to recognize student athletes who had also excelled in academics and service. In 1992 Catherine Byrne, UT swimmer (backstroke), received the award.
First National Championship Football Team
The football program first fielded a national championship team in 1938.
First Night Football Game
The first night football game at Neyland Stadium was September 16, 1972. Tennessee defeated Penn State 28-21.
First National Championship in a Women’s Intercollegiate Sport
In 1981 the women’s track and field team won the AIAW Outdoor National Championships. Terry Crawford was the coach.
First No-Smoking Policy
In 1922 President Morgan proclaimed in the Orange and White that “even the Deans of the University are forbidden to smoke in the buildings.” This rule had to do with fear of fire, but the use of cigarettes was not generally regarded with favor. It was not until 1935 that one could purchase cigarettes in … Continued
First Library Campaign
In 1959 the Development Council and the National Alumni Association launched a campaign to raise funds for the purchase of books and other materials for the library. A total of $23,766 was raised and nearly nine thousand books and other materials were purchased. In 1960 the library published the first “Library Development Program Report,” which … Continued
First Master of Arts Degree Awarded
At the end of the summer term in 1827, Professor James McBath, who had served as president pro tem until President Coffin was appointed and came to the campus, was awarded the master of arts degree (AM), which was probably in the nature of additional compensation rather than as signifying additional academic achievement. This degree … Continued
First Library Fee
In 1836 the trustees directed that fifty cents per session be charged to each student for the use of the library. The fee did not return when the institution reopened after the Civil War. A library fee was again imposed in 2012.
First Library Purchase
When Rev. David Sherman left the presidency of East Tennessee College in 1825, the trustees purchased his books for $161.63. On February 12, 1853, the board of trustees passed a resolution appropriating $100 per year for the purchase of books for the library.
First Laboratory Fee
In 1854 UT Trustees, upon the recommendation of President Cooke, approved charging chemistry students for the chemicals used in experiments.