The Baker Scholars program was announced in November 2003. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an academic and career interest in public policy and public service were sought for the program, with an initial five candidates chosen to begin the program in spring semester 2004. Baker scholars assist in programs, activities, and research of the Howard … Continued

Following graduation from McCallie, Howard Baker Jr. joined the US Navy’s V-12 Officer Training Program. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of the South and at Tulane. A 1949 graduate of the university’s College of Law and president of the student body in 1948 to 1949, Baker turned to politics from his well-regarded … Continued

Howard Baker Sr. entered the university at age 16. He was an outstanding student, debate team captain, president of the Philomathesian Literary Society (1921), and 1922 senior class president. He gave the university’s humor magazine, the Mugwump, its name and served as its editor in chief in 1921 to 1922. He was a member of … Continued

Dr. Lenox Dial Baker entered UT in 1925 as a freshman to take premed courses. He had long been interested in athletics, having served at age nine as the spring practice batboy for the New York Giants in his native Texas. At Tennessee he became a student trainer and worked as head athletic trainer with … Continued

Soon after the university created the Food Service Department in 1966, plans were made to establish a Central Food Services group, including a full-scale bakery. This occurred after the department had terminated the arrangement where the College of Home Economics operated the cafeteria in Sophronia Strong Hall. It looked forward to additional food service installations … Continued

The bust of General Douglas MacArthur was supplanted from its space on the second floor of the Austin Peay Administration Building in February 1945 by a display of two stuffed American bald eagles. Mr. and Mrs. Luther Jackson, of the Jackson Hereford Farms in Maryville, loaned the eagles. The eagles were shot when they were … Continued

A controversy over (1) funding for travel and per diem payments to band members during band camp and while traveling and (2) the use of prerecorded music and commercials during games at times the band would normally have played led to the placement of Band Director Gary Sousa on administrative leave. He was barred from … Continued

UT did not send its band to the Rose Bowl game of 1940, but two UT bandsmen—Cy Gantt and Vernon Torbett—hitchhiked to Los Angeles and back wearing the bright orange band uniform coats, which had been in use only since May 1939. They arrived in time to meet the team’s special train as it arrived … Continued

Dr. WJ Julian, director of bands, began the Over the Hill Alumni Band in 1970. This group of UT alumni performs during homecoming each year. Beginning in 1999 the alumni band joined the Pride of the Southland Band in performing during halftime of the football game. Generally, around 100 former band members participate. But in … Continued

A concert band, which included both men and women, was organized in 1952 under the direction of Professor George DeVine, professor of fine arts.