A 1978 political science graduate of UT, Paul Finebaum is a leading authority in southern sports. In 1980 he joined the staff of the Birmingham’s Herald-Post and began his talk-show career with the afternoon sports-talk show on WERC-AM. He has won over 250 awards for his columns and talk-show work. In addition, he is the … Continued
In 2010 UT diver Michael Wright competed at the USA Diving Winter Nationals and won the one-meter springboard title, becoming the first African American ever to win a USA diving national title.
UT alumnus Colonel Zane Finkelstein was the only army lawyer to be decorated for gallantry in action in Vietnam and the first to be awarded a decoration for combat heroism while investigating and paying claims. He received the Bronze Star Medal with “V” for valor device in May 1968. He traveled to a Vietnamese village … Continued
Brion Randolph, nuclear engineering major, was the first African American drum major in 1992.
In April 1916 UT learned that it was one of nine state universities that would receive a gift of $1,000 from the estate of the late W. W. Finley, who had been president of the Southern Railway. The funds were to establish a student loan fund for agriculture students as a memorial to Finley. The … Continued
The first African American faculty member of UT was Frances Winkfield, who joined the faculty of the School of Social Work in Nashville in 1964. Internationally known for his work in the field of safety, Dr. Robert Kirk was appointed as associate professor in the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation within the College … Continued
The tradition of shooting fireworks to punctuate Vols scores in Neyland Stadium began with a 1988 suggestion from Langston Hill, president of Pyro Shows of LaFollette, that fireworks, which would be both seen and heard inside the stadium, be shot from the south bank of the river across from the stadium. With the construction of … Continued
Camille R. McMullen, a 1996 alumna of the UT College of Law, was appointed Tennessee’s first African American criminal court of appeals judge in 2008. Prior to her appointment, she served seven years as an assistant US attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Before that, she was an assistant district attorney for Shelby County … Continued
The first affirmative action coordinator was counseling faculty member Dr. Bertha Williams, who was appointed half-time in 1974. Dr. Luke Ebersole, vice chancellor for administration, was the institutional affirmative action officer. In 1982 the position title was changed to affirmative action director, and the position holder reported to the chancellor.
The first African American 4-H Clubs in Tennessee were organized in Fayette County in 1917.