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. In 1930 John Emperor and Argus Tresidder of … Continued

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) was created in the fall of 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly (TCA 49-7-202) to achieve coordination and foster unity in higher education within the state. The commission approves new academic programs, prepares a master plan for higher education in Tennessee, recommends funding based on a formula, and acts … Continued

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission first developed a formula for computing the financial needs of Tennessee’s colleges and universities in 1970. The formula took into account the types and levels of programs offered at each campus. That formula was replaced by the Complete College Act and signed into law on 2010.

At its winter 1972 meeting, the UT Board of Trustees adopted THEC’s Off-campus Instruction Policy, which specified that off-campus centers “should offer only those programs which are consistent with their stated roles,” and that “new centers should not be located within 30 miles of public institutions whose offerings overlap in level and discipline those of … Continued

The “Theme Vault” was a publication of the English Department from 1957–58 through 1966–67, plus a final issue dated 1979–80. It was primarily designed to provide freshmen with worthy models similar to their own writing assignments, chosen from among the themes turned in by the preceding year’s freshmen. All themes included in the “Theme Vault” … Continued

The Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity was established in 1928. Its colors were navy blue, white, and gold, and its flower was the yellow tea rose. Thornburn McGowan served as its first president. The fraternity rented a house at 1310 W. Clinch Avenue. In 1932 Theta Chi Alpha was the last local fraternity to join with … Continued

Founded at Dickinson School of Law in 1903, the Freeman Chapter at UT was organized in 1904. Flowers of the fraternity were red and white roses, and its colors were orange and gold.

The Third Century Club was established in 1992 to recognize annual donors of $300–$749. It was abolished in 2001.

Distinguished poet, fiction writer, and dramatist Joyce Carol Thomas joined the English Department in 1989. A native of Oklahoma, she received the BA from California State University, San Jose, and the MA in education from Stanford. Her first novel, Marked by Fire, won a National Book Award. Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea, a book of … Continued

Price Thomas was the brother of William Isaac Thomas, the first person to earn a PhD from the university. He received the second earned PhD in 1887. After obtaining the PhD, he served as superintendent of schools in Union City, Tennessee, from 1887 to 1897, when he was chosen state superintendent of public instruction. At … Continued