In 1961 the UT Space Institute began a many-year investigation of the possibilities for energy savings using Michael Farraday’s nineteenth-century theories of magneto hydrodynamics, through which it was posited that commercialized MHD plants could produce 50 percent more electricity from a ton of coal than was possible with conventional steam turbines. Dr. John Dicks directed … Continued

Twice a year, the Office of the Provost hosts, a “Pecha-Kucha Powered” social gathering designed to highlight a cross section of the intellectual life of the university. Faculty in various disciplines make presentations in a Pecha-Kucha Powered social gathering. Mic/Nite was begun in 2011. Pecha-Kucha is a lecture format in which presenters show and discuss … Continued

Neyland Stadium was one of the venues for the 1984 twelve-city Victory Tour concert by Michael Jackson and his brothers. The shows were August 10, 11, and 12, with 60,000 tickets available for each. Charles Sullivan’s Stadium Management Corporation was the national promoter for the tour, and Sullivan was familiar with Neyland Stadium as owner … Continued

In 1917 the legislature authorized establishment of the Middle Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The County was to provide the land, and the State would provide $10,000 per year for operation of the station. Maury County provided a 652-acre farm that cost approximately $100,000. The station was developed principally for livestock research, with supporting field experiments … Continued

The City of Knoxville began planning for a convention center in 1997. Three potential sites emerged, and Mayor Victor Ashe favored the site on World’s Fair Park that required acquisition of the UT Conference Center Building’s garage and office/warehouse facility. When UT had acquired the Conference Center Building, tunnel, and garage in 1992, the space … Continued

Founded by a UT alumnus who was the city’s first mayor.

In 1928 the University Church Workers and the Christian Associations began a tradition, which lasted for 40 years, of having a midwinter convocation at UT. The first convocation was held in 1929, and Dr. Henry Hitt Crane was the initial speaker. He returned as speaker in 1939. The convocation consisted of three one-hour periods devoted … Continued

In 1960 Dr. Miles joined the faculty of the university’s Department of Dairying. In 1972 he became head of the newly formed Department of Food Technology and Science, where he served until his retirement in 1985. He earned a reputation as a specialist in dairying and authored or coauthored almost 50 articles and research reports … Continued

Summer military training for male UT students began in 1913.

On March 9, 1844, in response to a petition from students for the adoption of uniforms for the student body, the faculty recommended the adoption of “cadet mixed” and “Kentucky jeans” as standard student dress, but did not require the wearing of the uniform. In 1860 President Ridley reorganized the military department and introduced a … Continued