In 1913 Sara Conyers York (1879–1970) received the MD degree from the Medical Units at Memphis. She graduated at age 35 and had the highest average in her class. She was awarded the Faculty Medal for superior scholarship. She served her internship at Baptist Hospital in Memphis before establishing a general practice in rural Lauderdale … Continued

The list of students attending Blount College in 1804 included the names of five women: Polly McClung, Barbara Blount, Jennie Armstrong, Mattie Kain, and Kitty Kain. Blount College, now evolved into the University of Tennessee, was thus the first American college to have coeducational classes. The female students are presumed to have been subcollegiate students … Continued

Betsey Creekmore was appointed executive assistant to the chancellor in spring 1973 and was promoted to assistant vice chancellor for administration the same year.

Ida Smith, Mary Smith, and Miss Luttrell registered in the Teachers Course in February 1892, a year before the board of trustees granted admission to women. Ida and Mary Smith were the daughters of Professor Frank (Francis) Smith, who was in charge of the newly established Teachers Department. Gertrude Bishop (Bradley County), Nannie Page (Tipton … Continued

Genevieve L. Christen, associate professor of food science and technology, was the recipient of the 1995 Milk Industry Foundation Teaching Award. With its teaching award, the International Dairy Foods Association constituent organization, the Milk Industry Foundation, recognizes outstanding teachers of undergraduate students of dairy science. The award is presented every two years at the American … Continued

In 1937 a controversy occurred as students sought to have women, as well as men, lead cheers. After considerable discussion and negotiation, Dean of Women Harriet Greve, who had previously opposed the notion, recommended that women be allowed to be cheerleaders. The first female cheerleaders selected from among the six hopefuls who tried out at … Continued

Florence Vane Skeffington (1870–1922) earned the AB in 1887 and the AM in 1889 from Mary Sharp College (Winchester, Tennessee). She attended the University of Chicago in 1896–98 and earned the AB. She taught at the Dyersburg (Tennessee) High School and was principal of the Preparatory Department at Judson Institute in 1890–91. She was an … Continued

In June 1993 Women’s Athletics Director Joan Cronan announced that Pat Summitt had signed a five-year contract to coach the Lady Vols basketball team. The contract, the first for a female coach, called for a base salary of $110,000 and a talent and promotion stipend of $20,000.

Females first received bachelor’s degrees from the university in 1895. Elma Eliza Rachel Ellis received the BA in the Literary Course; Eliza Lucy Ogden received the BA in the Scientific Course. Both students were transfers to UT.

Dr. Lorayne Lester was appointed dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in December 1996 after serving as interim dean since the preceding May. She remained as dean until her retirement in 2002. Lester earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from UT and joined the faculty in 1960. She was head of the Departments … Continued