First Costumed Smokey
In the 1970s Nancy Nelson (Wyszynski), Lindsey Nelson’s daughter, served as the first costumed Smokey.
First Course in Child Care
In 1922 the Department of Home Economics offered its first course in child care.
First Crops Produced by UT
In 1869 UT purchased 285 acres of land (now the agriculture campus) to fulfill the requirement of the Land-Grant Act designation that the institution must own at least two hundred acres of farmland. The farm produced its first crops under UT management in 1872.
First Crossword Puzzle in the Student Newspaper
The student newspaper, the Orange and White, first published a crossword puzzle on February 7, 1925. The Knoxville News made the crossword puzzle available to the Orange and White.
First Dairy Cattle Judging Team
UT was represented in the 1920 national dairy show by a stock-judging team of Glenn Summers, A. Carter Myers, and Granvil S. Kennedy. H. R. Love was the alternate, and the coach was Professor C. E. Wylie. Twenty-one state agricultural colleges entered the contest. Tennessee placed seventh.
First DAR Chapter on a College Campus
On February 1, 2004, twelve UT women were installed as charter members of the first campus chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in the nation. Allison Grabbe was the first regent of the university chapter.
First Dean of Men
The trustees authorized the position of dean of men in 1923; in 1924 Felix M. Massey, formerly commandant and owner of the Massey Military School in Pulaski, was hired by President Morgan to oversee discipline and student affairs. In 1937 the position was expanded and retitled dean of students.
First Dean of the Graduate School
Dr. Fred C. Smith, then serving as registrar and director of placement in the Harvard Graduate School of Education, was appointed to the new post of dean of the Graduate School in 1936. He was additionally made vice president in 1945. Prior to establishment of the dean’s position, the Graduate School was administered directly by … Continued
First Dean of Women
Angie Warren Perkins was appointed acting dean of women in 1898. She served without compensation.
First Deanship Endowment
In June 2008 the Stokely family, through the William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, endowed the deanship of the College of Business. The Stokely Foundation Leadership Chair was first occupied by the incumbent dean, Jan R. Williams, on July 1, 2008.