On December 1–2, 1967, UT held a demonstration for progress, which the institution named a “build-in.” The two-day demonstration involved groundbreakings, dedications, toppings out, and other construction milestones on 10 new projects that totaled more than $35 million in capital outlay. More than one hundred state officials and other dignitaries took part. Governor Buford Ellington operated a concrete mixer (Administration Parking Garage), laid brick (Kingston Pike Apartments), helped place a reinforced steel column on a footing (John C. Hodges Undergraduate Library), snipped a ribbon (Faculty Club), dedicated a completed project (Presidential Housing Complex), operated a derrick (topping out ceremony for Laurel Apartments), set off a dynamite blast (private pavilion at UT Memorial Hospital and Research Center), signaled the raising of a concrete form in a forming up exercise (Morrill Hall), and operated an air hammer to begin construction of the double-decking of the east stands of Neyland Stadium.
In July 1968 UT received a top award from the American College Public Relations Association for the planning and promotion of the build-in. UT’s entry was 1 of 10 to receive top honors from among 1,400 submissions.