First Thanksgiving Holiday
In 1890 the faculty, after three days of vigorous debate, voted to give a holiday on Thanksgiving Day.
First Theatre Performances
Groups of faculty and students had, from time to time, formed dramatic clubs and produced plays—the first as early as 1840. In 1875 UT cadets organized a dramatic association that included townspeople in its membership. The first theatrical production was for the benefit of Knoxville’s Industrial Home.
First Track All-American
Pat Pomphrey, captain of the SEC Championship UT Track Team, was named an All-American in 1966.
First Track and Field Meet (Intercollegiate, Men’s)
A few cadets traveled to Chattanooga in October 1890. This appears to be the first intercollegiate participation in track and field, although the students traveled as individuals, rather than as a team. In 1898 UT participated in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association field meet, in which UT amassed 7 points and Percy P. Bishop won … Continued
First Traffic Light
In 1933 the board of trustees considered an overpass or underpass from the Hill to the library and the Home Economics Building. The board and Knoxville City Council decided instead that a traffic light would be installed. The first light was installed in November 1934 on Cumberland Avenue at the Hill entrance.
First Training Table
Although domestic science teacher and director of the University Boarding Club Minnie A. Stoner had been responsible for regular food service and special dinners for the football squad, the first real training table was established for football in 1906 in the University Mess Hall, under the management of Word, Morrell, and Worthington. Players had eaten … Continued
First Trustees
The charter issued by the Territorial Legislature establishing Blount College in 1794, named 18 trustees of the institution: William Blount, Rev. Samuel Carrick, Daniel Smith, David Campbell, Joseph Anderson, John Sevier, James White, William Cocke, Archibald Roane, Willie Blount, Charles McClung, George Roulstone, John Adair, Joseph Hamilton, Robert Houston, Alexander Kelly, George McNutt, and Francis … Continued
First Tweet
The first tweet was posted to UT News, the official Twitter of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on January 30, 2009, at 12:21 p.m. The tweet was “New Tennessee Today launched last night.”
First Typewritten Letter
The first piece of typewritten material found among the records of the institution is the letter written to the chairman of the board of trustees by the future president, Charles W. Dabney Jr., on July 11, 1887.
First Udall Scholarship Winner
UT’s first Udall Scholarship winner was John R. Evans from Chattanooga in 2003. Congress established the Udall Foundation in 1992.