Unlike most universities, The University of Memphis hasn't beencultivating its past through museums or classes to make studentsmore aware of its historical legacy -- until recently.
In October, The U of M celebrated the grand opening of theHeritage Room, on the first floor of Brister Hall.
The room is the brainchild of Doug Mayo, a graduate of the classof 1939, and several others. The room was especially important toMayo, being that his loyalty to the school runs deep. He was anoffensive lineman on the football team, a former faculty member,and he is currently the chairman for The University of MemphisAssociation of Retirees.
"I've been working on this for quite a long time, and we're verypleased to have this here," Mayo said. "I think here it isespecially important. We really need to know about our historybefore we can move on."
The Heritage Room, designed to feel as if time has turned back,is filled with 150 pieces of memorabilia, with hundreds more onreserve for later display. There are pieces that date back to 1912,the year the institution opened as the West Tennessee NormalSchool.
There is also a complete collection of yearbooks, a fraternityscrapbook, a vast array of photographs -- including one of the lateBarbara Walker Hummel after her Miss America crowning in 1947 --and numerous class photos. Other items include lettermen jacketsand sweaters, diplomas, a pair of football cleats, a football froma 1958 game against Tennessee Tech and a 1918 letter from Andrew A.Kincannon, the school's president at that time.
"It's a way to visibly show our students, alumni, faculty andstaff the history of our university," said Daniel Beasley, interimassociate vice president for Alumni Affairs and Special Events. "Ithelps to instill pride in our university, a sense of belonging. Weshould have had this a long time ago."
Students, as well as alumni agree that the room is well overdue.Some said it will be nice to know the heritage of the school and tobe able to tell others where the mascot came from.
"I think the most important thing about the room is that itencompasses all the changes within The University," said KellyWalker, a recent MBA graduate. "That room is really a reflection ofevery era."
While serving as a nice addition to The University, the mainpurpose of the room is to help increase the appreciation of The Uof M, Les Pourciau, co-chairman of UMAR said.
"It's to promote and encourage an enhanced institutional loyaltyon the part of retirees and alumni," Pourciau said. "Institutionalloyalty is stronger at residential campuses than at commutercampuses, and The U of M is still today mostly a commutercampus."
The room will now operate on a set schedule Mondays andThursdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the normal academicyear.
