The new millennium brought many things to many people -- a reflection on the past, a look on the present and a look at the future. The University of Memphis is no exception.
The University was founded under the General Education Bill, enacted by the Tennessee Legislature in 1909.
Originally known as West Tennessee Normal School, the institution opened its doors Sept. 10, 1912, with Dr. Seymour A. Mynders as president.
This was the beginning of the history of The University of Memphis.
Many faculty members remember the days of the past.
Harriette Lavenue, assistant professor of human movement sciences, said both students and programs have changed drastically in the last 25 to 30 years.
"There appears to be less respect for the faculty now from the students," Lavenue said. "The University was smaller and more like a family 25 years ago.
Lavenue said many areas have changed -- some for the good and some for the bad.
"Professors and instructors were hired to teach students instead of doing research," Lavenue said. "Parking was free and then it was $7 a semester. Women's sports were here but no one noticed. Elma Roane put up a major fight to get women's sports recognized and budgeted but they are still not treated equally. Women's sports did not give scholarships until Mary Lou Johns started coaching the women's basketball team. I know because I coached the women's team before she did."
As the history goes, students in the first classes selected blue and gray as the school colors and the tiger as the mascot. Legend has it the colors were those of the opposing armies during the Civil War. They were selected in commemoration of the reuniting of the country after the conflict.
During the next decade, the first library was opened in the Administration Building.
In 1925, the name of the college changed to West Tennessee State Teachers College.
The Brister Library was built in 1928. It was named after two-term president John W. Brister.
Ed Frank, curator of special collections, said before the Ned McWherter Library opened in 1994, his department was located in the basement of the Brister Library.
"It was great to move into the new facility," Frank said. "We were located in the oldest part of the Brister library-the basement. It was not a good place for the materials or us. The new library is 100 times better."
Frank said the original Brister Library was only one building. The library was eventually expanded to three.
"The tower on the southern side of Brister was where the book stacks were," Frank said. "It was eight floors of books. The lower building connecting to the tower housed the reference department and periodicals. Microfilm was housed there too."
Frank said the special collections department holds many pieces of literature dating back to the days before Jesus Christ.
"We have sets of Babylonian clay tablets that date back to 2000 B.C.," Frank said. "We also have ancient scrolls on papyrus."
The collection includes letters and books from the Civil War period and photographs from the late 1700s.
"Our oldest piece of literature is from the 1500s," Frank said. "It is known as incunabula. It was printed right after Gutenberg's press was invented."
Incunabula are early printed books, especially books printed before 1500.
The college changed names again in 1941, becoming Memphis State College.
The state legislature designated Memphis State full university status in 1957.
The University admitted its first black students in 1959.
Steve Word, manager of the campus bookstore said he agreed with Lavenue that the past 25 years have brought about a decline in respect and attitudes.
"During the 70s, the faculty seemed more open to students and students' views," Word said. "Professors were more approachable. Professors and students wanted to expand their knowledge base and everyone expressed their views."
Word said students were more tolerant of each other 25 years ago also.
"The students were friendly and accepted the differences of other people," Word said. "I don't see that now. I hear that students don't respect their professors."
The late 60s and early 70s saw many changes to The University. President Cecil C. Humphreys was the mastermind behind several new buildings, including the University Center, Richardson Towers and the Brister Tower.
"Students are still students, during the 70s, they were a little more liberal, but they are somewhat the same," Word said. "I remember when streaking, running naked around campus, was the cool thing to do. I have seen a difference over the years. I think we need to think about the things we learned during the 60s and 70s and teach it to our children today."
