The only person known to have graduated from Blount College (October 18, 1806) is William E. Parker, who received the bachelor of arts degree. President Carrick recorded him as having been examined and approved in “Virgil, Rhetoric, Horace, Logic, Geography, Greek Testament, Lucien, Mathematics, Ethics, and Natural Philosophy.” The next graduate of whom there is … Continued
The first bachelor of science degree was conferred in June 1872 upon Spurrier Howard-Smith. (Howard-Smith is listed in the catalog of 1873–74 as an instructor in drawing and is listed as having the AB degree, but the board minutes of June 18, 1872, are clear in awarding him a bachelor of science degree.) He taught … Continued
In February 1883 the Philo Star reported that in the university “hothouse” (located where Barbara Blount Hall was built in 1900 and which is now the parking lot next to Perkins Hall) the first banana grown and matured in Tennessee had been produced.
At the 1973 inauguration of President Richard Nixon, the UT Pride of the Southland Band (making its fourth appearance at an inauguration of a United States President) was designated the “honor band,” and as such, marched directly behind the presidential car.
In 1902 UT’s small military band played during the game against Sewanee. UT won 6-0. The band may have performed at earlier games, but this is the first documented appearance.
The first UT Band Camp was held in the summer of 1961.
Gustavus Robert Knabe was the first band director and joined the faculty of the university in 1871. He was also “Instructor in Singing.”
Evelyn Wells was elected the first Barnwarmin’ Queen in 1923.
Number 3, worn by Todd Lynn Helton in 1992–95, was retired by UT on January 30, 2008. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam declared January 30, 2008, as Todd Helton Day.
Luke Hochevar became the first Vol to be named collegiate national pitcher of the year, winning the Roger Clemens Award for the 2005 season. The Clemens Award was established in 2004 and takes its name from former Texas standout Roger Clemens, who led Texas to the 1983 College World Series title and who, at the … Continued