In 1836 the trustees directed that fifty cents per session be charged to each student for the use of the library. The fee did not return when the institution reopened after the Civil War. A library fee was again imposed in 2012.

When Rev. David Sherman left the presidency of East Tennessee College in 1825, the trustees purchased his books for $161.63. On February 12, 1853, the board of trustees passed a resolution appropriating $100 per year for the purchase of books for the library.

The Republican Dialectical Adelphic Society was begun in 1827 when the institution’s new president, Rev. Charles Coffin, moved from Greeneville College, where the society had been founded. The literary societies were primarily debating societies. The first literary society for women was the Barbara Blount Literary Society, which formed soon after women were admitted to regular … Continued

In 1868 the board of trustees authorized President Humes to appoint and employ one or more persons to attend the 1868–69 legislative session in Nashville and seek to obtain the land-grant status for East Tennessee University. Edward J. Sanford, an alumnus, was hired as UT’s agent, and his lobbying was credited with helping to ensure … Continued

The first Macebearer was Dr. George Schweitzer (chemistry) who carried the newly created Mace of the University at the inauguration of Dr. Andrew David Holt as president of the university in 1960.

The first UT majorette camp was held in the summer of 1965.

In 1993, in their first appearance at the National Collegiate Half-Time Twirl Championships at the America’s Youth on Parade competition, UT’s majorettes won the national championship. The contest, sponsored by the National Baton Twirlers Association, featured routines by more than 3,500 twirlers. The Dynasty Trophy was awarded to UT as the best team—a special honor … Continued

Tom Horton, a senior in the College Scholars Program, was the first UT student to be awarded a Marshall Scholarship in 1982. He was one of only two students from state universities to be offered one of the prestigious awards. The Marshall Aid Commemoration Act was passed by the United Kingdom’s Parliament on July 31, … Continued

Following action by the legislature in the 1984–85 session, Martin Luther King’s birthday began to be celebrated as an official university holiday. The first observance was on January 21, 1985. (King’s birthday was January 15.)

Tim Patnode (BFA 1996) served as a UT-costumed mascot from 1993 to 1997. In 1996, during the UT vs. UGA Women’s Basketball Final Four in Charlotte, North Carolina, he (as Smokette) was ripping apart a giant stuffed bulldog that had been won the previous day at a theme park. In the roughhousing, and unbeknownst to … Continued