UniversityUniversity ofof MemphisMemphis The University of Memphis began as a small The University of Memphis has the highest academic entrance requirements of any public four-year state teacher's college. Today, The U of M is a major institution in the state of Tennessee or the Mid-South. center for learning and research. The University of Memphis' roots date back to 1912, when radio was young, motion pictures were silent and William Howard Taft was in the White House. Named West Tennessee State Normal School, the institution's main purpose was to train and educate secondary-school teachers. It be- came West Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925. Answering the need for a comprehensive school in the Mid-South, WTSTC expanded its curriculum. In 1941, the school's name changed to Memphis State College and in 1957, the college received university status and became Memphis State Uni- versity. On July 1, 1994, the name was changed to The University of Memphis. The U of M now has some 20,000 students and a campus of 1,160 acres on four different sites. The main campus lies in the center of a wide sional, master's, educational specialist's and doc- The U of M has recently under taken several spread metropolis and combines the convenience toral degrees. building projects designed to update the campus for of a large city with the atmosphere of a residential The University of Memphis offers bachelor's the 21st century. The projects include the John neighborhood. South Campus, which was once a degrees in 50 majors and 70 concentrations; Wilder Student Services Tower, The Kemmons veteran's hospital, is home to the Billy J. Murphy master's degrees in 50 majors and doctoral de- Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Manage- grees in 18 disciplines; one specialist degree and ment, the FedEx Technology Institute, The Michael The University of Mem- one professional degree. The University is com- D. Rose Theatre Lecture Hall, the new University phis has the highest aca- posed of six colleges, the Graduate School, the Center Bookstore, The Larry O. Finch Center and demic entrance require- Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, the Loewenberg the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex. ments of any public four- School of Nursing, and the School of Audiology and The Elma Neal Roane Field House and the year institution in the state Speech-Language Pathology. The colleges are: Health and Physical Education and Recreation the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Complex house a wide range of recreation facilities. of Tennessee or the Mid- Communication and Fine Arts, the Fogelman Col- Since early in the 20th century, The University South. lege of Business and Economics, the College of of Memphis has provided quality education for Education, the Herff College of Engineering and the students, as well as service to the community. The Sports Complex and student family housing. Stu- University College. University continues to meet the challenges of dents and faculty members can conduct environ- Reflecting its commitment to high-quality teach- becoming a national leader in scholarship and mental research at the Edward J. Meeman Bio- ing and national prominence in research, The research. logical Field Station, which encompasses more University of Memphis has five Centers of Excel- than 600 acres of forest, wetlands and fields some lence and 25 Chairs of Excellence. The University 25 miles from the campus. has a full-time faculty of over 700. The University is guided by the principles of While the University's commitment to education academic integrity, sound management and equal remains its primary focus, the campus also offers opportunity. With instruction, service and research a variety of organizations, clubs, honor societies as interdependent goals, the University commits and special-interest and service groups. There are its resources to the social, cultural and economic Name Changes many fraternities and sororities on campus as well welfare of the region through partnerships with as a number of other clubs. Theatrical and musical 1912 West Tennessee State Normal School public and private organizations. The University of 1925 West Tennessee State Teachers College productions are performed on three stages at the Memphis is accredited by the Commission on 1941 Memphis State College Communication and Fine Arts Building. The Uni- Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges 1957 Memphis State University versity also has its own art museum. 1994 The University of Memphis and Schools to award bachelor's, first profes- The University The Ned R. McWherter Library houses over one art history and urban journals. million books and is fully computerized. Notable Alumni The University of Memphis awards more than 100 doctoral degrees each year in 18 disciplines. In addition, the Martin S. Belz (B.B.A, 1972) University offers master's degree programs in 54 major President of Belz Enterprises Isaac Bruce (1997) areas. All-Pro player for NFL’s St. Louis Rams The University's Ned R. McWherter Library, provides Keith Butler (B.S., 1989) one of the most electronically up-to-date information reposi- Linebacker Coach for NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers Dixie Carter (B.S., 1963) tories within hundreds of miles. Students are able to tap into Television and stage actress information stored in libraries around the world. Library Kelly Cash (1987) collections contain more than 13 million items, which include Miss America, 1987 monographs, periodical volumes, federal and state docu- Robert N. Clement (M.B.A., 1968) ments, maps and manuscripts. Holdings include nearly 3.1 U.S. Congressman from Tennessee million microformat materials and more than a million bound Eric Jerome Dickey (B.S.E.T, 1983) volumes. national best-selling author Bernice B. Donald (B.A., 1974, J.D., The University of Memphis School of Audiology and 1979)1979)1979) Speech-Language Pathology is not only one of the nation's Judge, Federal District Court leading institutions of graduate education in the field, but also William B. Dunavant Jr. (B.S., 1954) plays an important role in treating speech and language Chairman of Dunavant Enterprises disorders in the Memphis community. John Dye (B.F.A, 1996) Star of CBS Television's "Touched by an Angel" University Facts An award from the U.S. Department of Education to Linda Thompson Foster (B.B.A., 1973) The University of Memphis and Southern Illinois University Miss Tennessee 1971 & television performer President: led to the establishment of a joint Center for International Anfernee Hardaway (1993) Player for NBA's Phoenix Suns Business Education and Research, one of only 18 such Dr. Shirley C. Raines Cedric Henderson (1997) centers in the United States. Founded: Player for NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers Dr. W.W. Herenton (M.A., 1966) 1912 as West Tennessee State Normal School Students at The University of Memphis come from Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee almost every state and more than 96 foreign countries. Campus: Dean Jernigan Chairman/CEO of Storage USA 1,160 acres at four sites with more than 100 buildings Biomedical engineers in the University's Herff College John S. Lang (B.S., 1964) of Engineering are engaged in research that may lead to the writer, Scripps-Howard News Service Enrollment: discovery of new materials that can be used to replace 20,000+ Bill (B.Ed., 1974) and diseased or damaged human blood vessels. Nancy Walton Laurie (B.B.A., 1973) Accreditation: The U of M provides state-of-the-art computing facilities owner of NHL’s St. Louis Blues Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All Craig Leake (B.S., 1966, M.A., 1969) for students and faculty use, including two Tiger LAN labs Producer for CBS News accreditable programs are accredited. that never close. A total of 24 labs with more than 600 PC Holly K. Lillard (B.S.M.E., 1979, J.D.,1982) and Macintosh workstations and seven "smart" classrooms Divisions: Judge, Tennessee Court of Appeals complement the teaching and research activities of the R. Brad Martin (B.A., 1976) College of Arts and Sciences, Fogelman College of University. Chairman of the Board/CEO, Sak's Inc. Business and Economics, College of Communication and Vickie Roman Palmer (M.B.A., 1980) Fine Arts, College of Education, Herff College of Engineer- Vice Pres. & Treas., Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. ing, Loewenberg School of Nursing, University College, Elliot Perry (B.B.A., 1991) Graduate School, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Former player for NBA’s Phoenix Suns School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Ann L. Pugh (J.D., 1975) Judge, Shelby County General Sessions Court Worth Noting Michael Mickey Robinson (B.B.A..1968) The University of Mem- The ultra modern Ned R. McWherter Library houses more than one million books and President/CEO of Footstar, Inc. phis has five Centers of is fully computerized. William Sanderson (B.B.A.,1968,JD,1971) Excellence dedicated to schol- Movie and television actor Lynda Mead Shea (M.A., 1968) arship and research in educa- Miss America, 1960 tion, Egyptian art and archae- Ronald A. Terry (B.S., 1952) ology, psychology, earth- Retired Chairman of First Tennessee National quake science and speech Corporation and hearing. Charles C. Thompson II (B.S., 1964) Author and producer for CBS News The University has 25 Fred Thompson (B.S., 1964) Chairs of Excellence, more Former U.S. Senator from Tennessee & Actor than any other single campus Pat Kerr Tigrett (B.F.A., 1963) in the state. The Chairs of International fashion designer Excellence are occupied by Tamika Whitmore (1999) leading scholars in fields rang- Player for WNBA’s New York Liberty ing from molecular biology Lorenzen Wright (1996) Player for NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and biomedical engineering to Dr.