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Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Technological University
Other names
TTU
Former names
University of Dixie (1909–1915)
Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (1915–1965)
TypePublic research university and institute of technology
EstablishedMarch 27, 1915; 109 years ago (March 27, 1915)
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliations
Endowment$96.2 million (2022)[1]
PresidentPhilip B. Oldham[2]
Academic staff
c. 550[3]
Students10,117 (fall 2023)[4]
Location,
U.S.

36°10′35″N 85°30′35″W / 36.17639°N 85.50972°W / 36.17639; -85.50972
CampusSuburban, 235 acres (95 ha)[5][6]
Colors    Purple and gold[7]
NicknameGolden Eagles
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I
Ohio Valley Conference[8][9]
MascotAwesome Eagle[10]
Websitetntech.edu

Tennessee Technological University (commonly referred to as Tennessee Tech) is a public research university in Cookeville, Tennessee. It was formerly known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, and before that as University of Dixie, the name under which it was founded as a private institution.[5][6] Affiliated with the Tennessee Board of Regents, the university is governed by a board of trustees.[11] It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".[12]

As an institute of technology, Tennessee Tech places special emphasis on undergraduate education in fields related to engineering, technology, and computer science,[13] although degrees in education, liberal arts, agriculture, nursing, and other fields of study can be pursued as well.[14] Additionally, there are graduate and doctorate offerings in engineering, education, business, and the liberal arts. As of the 2018 fall semester, Tennessee Tech enrolls more than 10,000 students,[4] and its campus has 87 buildings on 235 acres (95 ha) centered along Dixie Avenue in northern Cookeville.[5][6]

Tennessee Tech athletic teams, named the Golden Eagles, compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.[9]

History

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Tennessee Tech is rooted in the University of Dixie (colloquially known as Dixie College), which was chartered in 1909 and began operations in 1912. It struggled with funding and enrollment, however, and the campus was deeded to local governments. On March 27, 1915, the state government assumed control of the campus and chartered the new school as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute.[15] The new school included just 13 faculty members and 19 students during the 1916–17 academic year and consisted of just 18 acres of undeveloped land with one administrative building and two student dorms.[16] Due to the rural nature of the school, students also worked in the school garden to grow and prepare their own meals. In 1929, the first class graduated with four-year bachelor's degrees.[16] Tennessee Polytechnic Institute was elevated to university status in 1965, when its name changed to Tennessee Technological University.[16]

Academics

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Departments

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Tennessee Tech has bachelor's degree programs and graduate programs as well as doctoral programs in the fields of education, engineering, and environmental sciences. TTU emphasizes a focus in STEM degrees but also provides infrastructure for traditional programs including liberal arts and nursing.[17]

Henderson Hall, constructed in 1931 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985
Laboratory Science Commons.

Research Centers

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Student life

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Tennessee Tech hosts over 200 student organizations including several fraternities and sororities.[25] Student Samuel Dowlen suffered severe injuries and temporary paralysis in August of 2009, during fraternity pranks in Phi Gamma Delta's inflatable pool. Spinal fusion surgery and months of physical rehabilitation followed. A court awarded Dowlen $7.2 million in the court decision against the fraternity.[26]

Athletics

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Tucker Stadium and Overall Field

The Tennessee Tech athletic program is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.[8][9] The school's teams are known as the Golden Eagles, the team colors are purple and gold, and the mascot is Awesome Eagle.[10][27]

Theater

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The Backdoor Playhouse was founded in the 1960s. Its current theater seats 200 spectators. In the academic year 2014/15, they produced a selection of at least five plays, among them Krapp's Last Tape, The Vagina Monologues, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.[28] The playhouse attracted news coverage in the summer of 2022, when the local Upper Cumberland Pride, the Lambda Gay-Straight Alliance, and the Tech Players staged a drag performance in the on-campus theater. A video excerpt of the performance, in which a child pays a drag performer money while the performer mouths the words "Take Me To Church," was posted on-line by child protection activist Landon Starbuck.[29]

Traditions and campus lore

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Eagle statue resting temporarily on the ground in 2022 as Derryberry's cupola was replaced

Significant administrative buildings

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Maya Angelou speaking in the Derryberry Hall Auditorium in 2012

Derryberry Hall is the oldest building on campus; the presidents and provosts have traditionally had their offices there. The building is also the home to the university's main auditorium, Derryberry Auditorium. Derryberry was constructed in 1912 for the university's predecessor, Dixie College.[32] It is named after Everett Derryberry, president of the university from 1940 to 1974. The building's iconic colonial-style clock tower is equipped has a carillon. Maya Angelou spoke there in 2012. Derryberry received a new cupola in 2021.[33]

Henderson Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The building was designed by Benjamin F. Hunt, who worked for the noted regional architect R. H. Hunt.[34] Constructed in 1931, the building is named in honor of James Manson Henderson, the first director of the university's School of Engineering.[32]

Residential buildings

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Traditional halls

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Pinkerton Quad

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Capital Quad

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Off-campus Buildings

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Notable people

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Faculty

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R. Winston Morris

Alumni

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John Rose in 2023
Carl Stiner in 1993
Dottie West in 1977
Barry Wilmore in 2009

References

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  1. ^ As of March 7, 2022. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2021 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY20 to FY21 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "Office of the President". Tennessee Technological University. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. ^ As of 2013. "Tennessee Technological University". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Facts and Figures". Fall 2022. Archived from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "About TTU | History and Traditions". Tennessee Technological University. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "About TTU | History". Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
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  8. ^ a b "NCAA Tennessee Technological University". Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "About TTU | Facts and Figures". Tennessee Technological University. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
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