University of Tennessee at Martin

Last updated

The University of Tennessee at Martin
Former name
University of Tennessee Junior College (1927–1951)
University of Tennessee, Martin Branch (1951–1967) [1]
Motto"Elevate your future at UT Martin"
Type Public university
Established1927 [2]
Parent institution
 UT System
Endowment $51 million (2021) [3]
Chancellor Yancy E. Freeman [4]
Administrative staff
835
Students6,873 (Fall 2022) [5]
Undergraduates 6,170 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates 703 (Fall 2022)
Location
Martin, Tennessee
,
U.S.
CampusRural, 250 acres (100 ha)
Colors Navy blue and orange [6]
   
Nickname Skyhawks
Sporting affiliations
 NCAA Division I FCS  – Ohio Valley Conference
MascotCaptain Skyhawk
Website www.utm.edu
University of Tennessee at Martin logo.png

The University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin or UTM) is a public university in Martin, Tennessee. It is one of the five campuses of the University of Tennessee system. UTM is the only public university in West Tennessee outside of Memphis.

Contents

UTM operates a large experimental farm and several satellite centers in West Tennessee.

History

Although UT Martin dates from 1927, it is not the first educational institution to use the current site. In 1900, Ada Gardner Brooks donated a site on what was then the outskirts of Martin to the Tennessee Baptist Convention for the purposes of opening a school. The school opened as the Hall-Moody Institute, named for two locally prominent Baptist ministers - John Newton Hall [7] and Joseph Burnley Moody. [8] It originally offered 13 years of study, from elementary grades to the equivalent of the first years of collegiate work. The institute changed its name to Hall-Moody Normal School in 1917, as teacher training became its primary focus. Five years later, Hall-Moody changed its name again to Hall-Moody Junior College. Due to declining enrollment and financial difficulties in the mid-1920s, Hall-Moody Junior College was in danger of closing. In 1927, the Tennessee Baptist Convention made the decision to consolidate Hall-Moody with a similar institution, Union University, in nearby Jackson. [9]

Upon hearing of the impending closure of the Hall-Moody campus, area civic and political leaders asked the state of Tennessee to step in and take over the former Hall-Moody facilities under the auspices of the University of Tennessee. University of Tennessee president Harcourt Morgan agreed to accept the proposition on the condition that the Martin community would acquire the property as well as space for expansion. The City of Martin and Weakley County sold bonds to purchase the campus and some surrounding land. On February 10, 1927, Senate Bill Number 301 established the University of Tennessee Junior College in Martin. On March 29, it was officially approved by Governor Austin Peay. Hall-Moody closed for the last time on June 1, and the new UT Junior College began operations on September 2 with 120 students. [2]

UT Martin nearly closed twice during its first quarter-century. During the hard times of the Great Depression, with tight state budgets and slow-growing enrollment that by 1933 had only increased slightly to 137 students, Tennessee slashed its annual budget by half to $36,000. Support from UT acting president James Hoskins kept UT Martin alive but could not save chief executive Porter Claxton's position. [10]

Though enrollment had surpassed 400 students by 1937, many college-age males enlisted in World War II a few years later. Executive officer Paul Meek repurposed a 1940 program training Army Air Corps pilots into a program training naval air cadets. Each cadet brought nine times as much income to UT Martin as a civilian student. [10]

A post-war influx of returning servicemen and the G.I. Bill ushered in rapid growth both in enrollment and educational offerings. In 1951, with the addition of four-year fields of study leading to a bachelor's degree, it was redesignated the University of Tennessee Martin Branch (UTMB).

In 1961, UTMB was the first campus in the University of Tennessee system to begin racial desegregation of undergraduates. (Graduate schools at other campuses had begun desegregation in 1952. [11] )

Until 1967, it was treated as an off-site department of the main campus in Knoxville. As such, its presiding officer was known first as an executive officer (1927–1951), then a dean (1951–1967). In 1967, it was granted equal status with the main campus in Knoxville under its current name, and its presiding officer was granted the title of chancellor. The school grew greatly from the post-World War II era, largely under the influence of the G. I. Bill of Rights, through the 1960s under the leadership of Paul Meek, who led the school from 1934 to 1967. [12] The school had almost as many entering freshmen in 1969 as it had overall students in 1961. Enrollment as of 2017 is listed at approximately 6,800. [13]

Chancellors

  1. C. Porter Claxton (executive officer, 1927–1934)
  2. Paul Meek (executive officer, 1934–1951; dean, 1951–1967, chancellor, 1967)
  3. Archie R. Dykes (chancellor, 1967–1971)
  4. Larry T. McGehee (chancellor, 1971–1979)
  5. Charles E. Smith (chancellor, 1980–1985)
  6. Margaret N. Perry (chancellor, 1986–1997)
  7. Philip W. Conn (chancellor, 1998–2000)
  8. Nick Dunagan (chancellor, 2001–2007)
  9. Thomas A. Rakes (chancellor, 2007–2015)
  10. Robert M. Smith (chancellor, 2015–2016)
  11. Keith S. Carver Jr. (chancellor, 2017–2/2023; Dr. Philip A. Cavalier, interim, March - August 2023)
  12. Yancy E. Freeman (chancellor, effective 8/9/23)

Academics

Given its rural location, much of the focus of the school has been on undergraduate studies in education and agriculture, although many other courses of study are offered, particularly in the liberal arts, and in recent years there has been an increasing emphasis on business, engineering, and music. There is an active ROTC program and a school of nursing. The school is among the top providers of candidates to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. There is a growing graduate school, with most graduate degrees being conferred in education and business.

The university is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For one year, from December 2015 until December 2016, the university was on probation for "falling short of standards related to evidence of institutional effectiveness and general education competencies." [14] [15] During the tenure of Dr. Robert Smith, UT Martin successfully met the challenge and was removed from probation. For this and other accomplishments during his 19 months as interim chancellor, the UT Board of Trustees honored Dr. Smith by removing the designation "interim" and officially named him the university's tenth chancellor. He was also granted the honorary title "chancellor emeritus."

U.S. News & World Report in its 2024 edition ranked the university tied for #27 in Regional Universities South. [16]

Colleges and departments

Hall-Moody Administration Building UTM admin building.jpg
Hall-Moody Administration Building

Rankings

Academic rankings
Regional
U.S. News & World Report [17] 20 (tie)

Campus

The rural campus is noted for being particularly scenic and well-landscaped. Students who live on campus are within walking distance of all academic buildings, the library, food services, the Boling University Center, and all recreational and sports facilities. Recent years have seen the demolition of old double-occupancy dormitory halls in favor of the construction of apartment-style housing.

UT Martin is one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada, according to the second annual edition of The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition. UT Martin is one of three public institutions in Tennessee included in the guide. UT Martin is also among the safest public college campuses in Tennessee based on crime statistics released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

UT Martin also has five centers throughout West Tennessee.

Athletics

The UT Martin athletic program is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. [18]

The school's teams are known as the Skyhawks; the team colors are navy blue, orange, and white; and the mascot is Captain Skyhawk. [19]

Athletic teams have participated in the Ohio Valley Conference since 1991. Previously, UTM was a member of the Gulf South Conference.

The university mascot was changed from "Pacers" to "Skyhawks" in 1995. The reasoning behind the "Skyhawks" moniker was described thus: [20]

Prior to being known as "Pacers", the university's teams were called "Volunteers". The name was changed in 1971, largely because, on account of the former junior college status of the school, the teams were often referred to as the "Baby Vols".

Publications and media

Print

Founded in 1928, The Pacer is the present day name of the student newspaper. The Office of Student Publications publishes The Pacer every Thursday morning throughout the semester except for holidays and exam periods. As of 2006, the newspaper has a circulation of 3,000 copies. In the spring of 2006, the publication won the distinction of being named "Best in the South" at the Southeastern Journalism Conference, beating out such schools as Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. Throughout its history, the newspaper has also been named The Checkerboard and The Volette .

Beanswitch is a literary magazine run by UT Martin's undergraduates. This magazine publishes non-fiction, fiction, and poetry, in addition to artwork. Each fall, an online edition is published. The spring edition is in print. Submissions are accepted from all students and from staff.

Radio

The campus radio station at the University of Tennessee at Martin has been named the nation's Best Overall Radio Station (2012). The honor—the Abraham & Borst Award—was presented to WUTM at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference in New York. WUTM was also chosen Best College/University Station under 10,000 enrollment in both 2012 and 2016.

WUTM-FM was named 2015 "Best College Radio Station in the South", the fifth time in seven years for the station to earn the award and earned a Platinum Award, the highest ranking, for the sixth consecutive year from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS).

Television

WLJT-TV was launched in the fall of 2015.

Student life

The campus is home to many student life organizations. It also is the location of the 1965 founding of the medical fraternity Mu Epsilon Delta. The Panhellenic sororities at UTM are Alpha Delta Pi (ΑΔΠ), Alpha Omicron Pi (ΑΟΠ), Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA), and Chi Omega (ΧΩ). The IFC fraternities on campus are Alpha Gamma Rho (ΑΓΡ), Kappa Alpha Order (KA), Phi Sigma Kappa (ΦΣΚ), Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ), Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ), and Sigma Chi (ΣΧ). There are two music organizations on campus: Phi Mu Alpha (ΦΜΑ) and Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣΑΙ). Religious Life is also a part of student life at UT Martin: Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Church of Christ Student Center, and Wesley Foundation.

Notable alumni

Alum Pat Summitt (1974), long-time Tennessee Lady Vols head basketball coach and all-time leader for games won among NCAA Division I basketball coaches (men's or women's), pictured at The Pentagon on June 6, 2008 Pat-Summitt-Walter-Reed-Center-06-24-08-2.jpg
Alum Pat Summitt (1974), long-time Tennessee Lady Vols head basketball coach and all-time leader for games won among NCAA Division I basketball coaches (men's or women's), pictured at The Pentagon on June 6, 2008

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferris State University</span> Public university in Big Rapids, Michigan, U.S.

Ferris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1884 as Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge N. Ferris and became a public institution in 1950. The university also has a satellite campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Oneonta</span> Public university in Oneonta, New York

The State University of New York at Oneonta, also known as SUNY Oneonta, is a public university in Oneonta, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union University</span> Christian university in Jackson, Tennessee, US

Union University is a private Baptist university in Jackson, Tennessee, with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. The university is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. It is a union of several different schools: West Tennessee College, formerly known as Jackson Male Academy; Union University of Murfreesboro; Southwestern Baptist University; and Hall-Moody Junior College of Martin, Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Evansville</span> Liberal arts university in Evansville, Indiana, US

The University of Evansville (UE) is a private university in Evansville, Indiana. It was founded in 1854 as Moores Hill College. The university operates a satellite center, Harlaxton College, in Grantham, England. UE offers more than 80 different majors and areas of study, each housed within three colleges and one school within the university: the Schroeder School of Business, the College of Education and Health Sciences, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Tennessee system</span> Public university system in the U.S. state of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee System is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is one of two public university systems, the other being the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). It consists of four primary campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; a health sciences campus in Memphis; a research institute in Tullahoma; and various extensions throughout the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point</span> Public university in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, US

The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States. Established in 1894, it is part of the University of Wisconsin System. UW-Stevens Point grants associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees, as well as doctoral degrees in audiology, educational sustainability, and physical therapy. The 406-acre (164 ha) main campus includes the 280-acre (113 ha) Schmeeckle Reserve, 15 academic buildings, and 13 residence halls. UWSP also has two branch campuses located in Wausau and Marshfield.

The Pacer, founded in 1928, is the name of the student newspaper of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The Office of Student Publications at UT Martin publishes The Pacer every Tuesday morning throughout the semester except for holidays and exam periods. As of 2006, the newspaper has a circulation of 3,000 copies. Throughout its history, the newspaper has also been named The Checkerboard and The Volette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Virginia's College at Wise</span> Public liberal arts college in Wise, Virginia, U.S.

The University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public liberal arts college adjacent to Wise, Virginia. It is part of the University of Virginia, though separately accredited, and was established in 1954 as Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathleen and Tom Elam Center</span> Sports and recreation facility in Tennessee

The Kathleen and Tom Elam Center is a multi-purpose sports and recreation facility on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) named in honor of University of Tennessee Trustee Col. Tom Elam and his wife, Kathleen. Col. Elam, of nearby Union City, Tennessee, was the long-time chairman of the Athletics Committee of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. The Elam Center houses the UTM Intercollegiate Athletics and the Department of Health and Human Performance. It features seven basketball courts with volleyball and badminton options, seven racquetball courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an equipment check-out area, a weight room, an interior jogging balcony, an aerobics room, and Skyhawk Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Stadium</span> Stadium in Tennessee, USA

Hardy M. Graham Stadium is a 7,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Martin, Tennessee. It is home to the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks football team. The facility opened in 1964. It is located north of Tennessee State Route 431 from the central campus area, adjacent to the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Missouri–St. Louis</span> Public university in St. Louis, Missouri, US

The University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) is a public research university in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Established in 1963, it is the newest of the four universities in the University of Missouri System. Located on the former grounds of Bellerive Country Club, the university's campus stretches into the municipalities of Bellerive, Bel-Nor and Normandy. Additional facilities are located at the former site of Marillac College and at Grand Center, both in St. Louis city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Tennessee</span> Public university in Knoxville, Tennessee, US

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1794, two years before Tennessee became the 16th state, it is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system, with ten undergraduate colleges and eleven graduate colleges. It hosts more than 30,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigma Mu Sigma</span> American college fraternity (1921–2020)

Sigma Mu Sigma (ΣΜΣ) is a former American college fraternity founded in 1921 at Tri-State University. Sigma Mu Sigma was historically an all-male social fraternity open originally to Master Masons, and later open to all undergraduate male students. As a national fraternity, Sigma Mu Sigma dissolved in 1935 when it was absorbed by Tau Kappa Epsilon. Sigma Mu Sigma was later revived, developed another dozen chapters, and several of these were absorbed by Kappa Sig, Acacia and others. A few remaining chapters of Sigma Mu Sigma transformed into a co-ed service fraternity in 1984 but went defunct around 2020.

The UT Martin Skyhawks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Tennessee at Martin in Martin, Tennessee. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The school's first football team was fielded in 1925, while known as Hall-Moody Junior College. The team plays its home games at the 7,500 seat Graham Stadium. They are coached by Jason Simpson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UT Martin Skyhawks</span> Athletic teams representing University of Tennessee at Martin

The UT Martin Skyhawks are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) in Martin, Tennessee, United States. The Skyhawks athletic program is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and competes at the NCAA Division I level including the Football Championship Subdivision. The UTM mascot is Captain Skyhawk. The school colors are navy and orange. They were known as the Pacers until 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin McMillan</span> American basketball coach

Daniel Kevin McMillan is an American college basketball coach and the current women's head coach at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The UT Martin Skyhawks are members of the Ohio Valley Conference and compete in the NCAA Division I.

The UT Martin Skyhawks baseball team represents the University of Tennessee at Martin, which is located in Martin, Tennessee. The Skyhawks are an NCAA Division I college baseball program that competes in the Ohio Valley Conference. They began competing in Division I in 1993 and joined the Ohio Valley Conference the same season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Stewart (basketball coach)</span> American basketball coach (1970–2020)

Anthony W. Stewart was an American college basketball coach. His last position was as head coach of the UT Martin Skyhawks men's basketball team. Since Stewart joined the Skyhawks program as the associate head coach under Heath Schroyer in 2014, the team won 94 games, the most in a six-year period since they became part of Division I. Stewart was responsible of the team's three straight 20-win campaigns from 2014 to 2017, a first for the UT team. Also in that span, the Skyhawks won five postseason games and was the only Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) school to win at least one postseason game in each of the last three seasons. Stewart had gone on to coach over 15 professional players during his coaching career.

William Everett Derryberry was an American football player and coach and university president.

The 2021–22 UT Martin Skyhawks men's basketball team represented the University of Tennessee at Martin in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Skyhawks, led by first-year head coach Ryan Ridder, played their home games at Skyhawk Arena in Martin, Tennessee as members of the Ohio Valley Conference. They finished the season 8–22, 4–14 in OVC play to finish in ninth place. They failed to qualify for the OVC Tournament.

References

  1. ↑ "History of the University of Tennessee at Martin". utm.edu. University of Tennessee at Martin. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "The University of Tennessee at Martin – http". utm.edu. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Data USA: The University of Tennessee-Martin". Data USA. November 7, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Chancellor's Staff | Chancellor's Corner". Utm.edu. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  5. ↑ "President's Report: Fall enrollment" (PDF). utm.edu. University of Tennessee. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  6. ↑ "UT Campus- and Institute-Specific Colors". Brand.Tennessee.edu. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  7. ↑ "J. N. Hall". baptisthistoryhomepage.com. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  8. ↑ "J. B. Moody". baptisthistoryhomepage.com. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  9. ↑ "History | Union University". Uu.edu. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Montgomery, James Riley (November 1971). "Threshold of a New Day: The University of Tennessee, 1919-1946". The University of Tennessee Record. 74 (6)., pp. 98, 222-227.
  11. ↑ "UT Desegregation Timeline". Celebrating 50 Years of African-American Achievement. University of Tennessee. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  12. ↑ Robert L. Carroll. The University of Tennessee at Martin: The First One Hundred Years. Hillsboro Press, 2000, p. 47, p. 103. ISBN   978-1577361909
  13. ↑ "Quick Facts| The University of Tennessee at Martin". www.utm.edu. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Southern Accreditor Places UT Martin on Probation". Inside Higher Ed. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  15. ↑ "UT Martin removed from accreditation probation status". WBBJ. December 6, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  16. ↑ "University of Tennessee--Martin". usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  17. ↑ "2023-2024 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report . September 18, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  18. ↑ "National Collegiate Athletic Association". Ncaa.org. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  19. ↑ "UTM Sports". UTM Sports. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  20. ↑ "UTM Sports". utmsports.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.

36°20′30″N88°52′02″W / 36.341754°N 88.867097°W / 36.341754; -88.867097

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.