Page 13 - 1923 February - To Dragma

110 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

T H E HOME O F OMICRON.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee, under its maiden name of
Blount College was chartered by the legislature of the state, then
called the "Territory South of the River Ohio," on Sept. 10, 1794.
It received its name from William Blount, the governor of the
territory, and was located near the present center of the city of
Knoxville. It struggled on without adequate funds until in 1807
it transferred its funds and property to the "East Tennessee
College" just chartered by the state of Tennessee, of which Knox-
ville was the capitol. When incorporating the East Tennessee
College the General Assembly intended to donate to it the proceeds
from the sale of lands authorized by congress, but great difficulties
attended the sale of the land, and from lack of funds the college
did not open until 1820. From then until 1906 the University
received practically no aid from the state, with the exception of
an appropriation in 1869 for the founding of an Agricultural and
Mechanical College.

In 1906 the Legislature appropriated a sum for a new
mechanical building, and at intervals since then sums have been
appropriated for a definite purpose,—two years ago a million
dollars was given for buildings, but only this year does the Uni-
versity begin to realize anything from a state tax, one-half mill,
for upkeep and expenses.

When our visitors view our buildings and equipment they
must keep this fact in mind, that up to the last twenty years this
university was practically self-supporting, and try to imagine the
difficulties of maintaining proper standards without the millions
that have come into the great Eastern and Western Universities
in taxes and endowments.

In 1840 the name had been changed to, "East Tennessee Uni-
versity," thus indicating its success and ability to operate in larger
fields, and in 1879 the name was changed to the "University of
Tennessee." It then bcame the head of the public school sys-
tem of the state.

The main body of the University is situated on a hill of
sixty acres, overlooking the city of Knoxville and the Tennessee
River, with the Smokey Mountains beyond, and with the ivy
clinging to the walls of the old buildings and the stately trees
shadowing the driveways, its charm and influence make an ever-
lasting impression on every alumnus. The Agricultural Depart-
ment and the farm are on the edge of town, between our beautiful
Kingston Pike and the river. The Medical and Dental Depart-
ments are in Memphis.