In 1826, when the institution purchased the Hill, a building plan was prepared that called for a central college building and three dormitories. In 1871 the trustees employed E.  Dean Dow, a New York artist, to prepare plans for the enlargement of the institution with additional buildings and for the general improvement of the grounds. … Continued

The master’s gown worn by those who have earned the master’s degree from UT is a black robe, with oblong pendant sleeves ending in a squared “fish tail.” The gowns are worn closed. (An alternate master’s gown, with short sleeves, is worn open, but this robe is not used at UT.) Master’s degree recipients wear … Continued

The three-week “boot camp” to assist incoming freshmen prepare for math-intensive majors was first held in summer 2014. The program was designed for students who scored less than 25 on the Math ACT or less than 570 on the Math SAT. Eighty students participated and took a math placement exam at its conclusion. Fifty-seven percent … Continued

In October 1999 more than five hundred students from high schools across Tennessee participated in the inaugural Tennessee Math Contest, sponsored by the UT Mathematics Department. UT four-year, full-tuition scholarships are given to winners, and beginning in 2003 summer internships at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and at the Y-12 Security Complex were also offered … Continued

Robert Matthews, professor of mechanical engineering and nationally prominent executive secretary of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, joined the faculty in 1907 and remained at UT until his retirement in 1949. Although he was a highly regarded teacher and epitomized distinction in the profession through his work as secretary and then secretary-treasurer of … Continued

In spring 1951 the Admiral David Farragut Chapter of the DAR presented a portrait of Mattie Kain to hang in the Mattie Kain wing of Sophronia Strong Hall. In 1804 Kain was one of the first coeds to attend UT. The portrait was painted by Knoxvillian Mary Grainger. Mary Adair House Crossley, a descendant of … Continued

In 1902 Miss Maude Powell, who had expressed to her family that she wanted to give $5,000 from her estate to the university to establish a loan fund for students, died intestate. Her mother, Sarah [Drake] Powell and her sister and brother-in-law, Lillian Powell Smith, and J. Allen Smith, carried out her wish. In 1903 … Continued

The first university May Day Festival was held on Shields-Watkins Field on May 5, 1938. The program was planned and sponsored by the Women’s Physical Education Department.  The program consisted of the coronation of Queen Mary Nell Black, junior, from Powell Station, Tennessee, followed by the story of Pierrette and Pierrot acted in “pantomime, dancing, … Continued

Thomas B. Mayfield III attended UT in the 1930s to study dairy science in preparation for assuming a leadership role in the family dairy business.  He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. His studies were cut short by the death of his father in 1937, and he returned to McMinn County to operate … Continued

Following graduation from Amherst, Horace Maynard joined the faculty of the university (then East Tennessee College) in 1838 as a tutor in the Preparatory Department. He was appointed principal of the Preparatory Department in 1840 and became teacher of mathematics and ancient languages in 1841. Maynard studied law while on the faculty and was admitted … Continued