Charles Kermit “Buck” Ewing came to the university in 1947 to head the art program in the newly organized Department of Fine Arts, which was headed by Professor David Van Vactor. Born in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, Ewing did not have enough money to purchase supplies when he began painting in 1928, so he got a football … Continued

The University Senate approved elimination of the final examination program on November 29, 1971. The elimination was effective for fall 1972 and was to continue for two years on a trial basis. With the elimination of the exam period, examinations were to be given during regular class periods. The senate also passed a recommendation to … Continued

In April 1962 Dr. Herman Spivey, vice president of Academic Affairs, announced a major reorganization of Student Affairs, which was suggested by a self-study performed in the summer of 1961. A new position, executive dean of Student Affairs, was created and was to be filled by Dr. Charles Lewis in July. Lewis was to coordinate … Continued

The Exempt Staff Council was formed in 1997 to provide an opportunity for employees of UT who are categorized as staff-exempt (exempt from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act) to discuss and provide advice to administrators about issues pertinent to staff-exempt employees. An exempt staff ad hoc committee of the Faculty Senate was appointed … Continued

An exhibition of faculty-mentored research and creative activity of undergraduates was first held in 1997. Coordinated by the Office of Research, displays by more than two hundred students are annually judged by a combination of UT faculty members and community professionals, with cash prizes funded by the UT Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor … Continued

A committee of about 30 faculty, staff, and students began work in 2012 to develop the new Quality Enhancement Plan in conjunction with the reaccreditation of the institution by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. The first QEP was Ready for the World, which was begun in 2004 and became, with the adoption of … Continued

In 1908 UT announced that any town or city could arrange for one to five lectures by UT faculty “upon the payment of ten dollars for the lecture and the entertainment of the lecturer.” The purpose of the endeavor, governed by an Executive Committee of which P. P. Claxton was chair, was “to extend the … Continued

In the 1930s, Fensington C. Lowry, dean of University Extension, began an “extension library” to serve the needs of high school and college teachers of drama and debate; local clubs and churches with a need for program materials; and individuals with special research needs in history, literature, and cultural studies. In 1947 David Harkness was … Continued