On this day in 1912, the University of Memphis (then known as the West Tennessee State Normal School) opened its doors in 1912, with Dr. Seymour A. Mynders being its first President.
Tradition states that not only did students choose the Tiger as their mascot, but they also modeled the school colors of blue and gray after the colors of the opposing Civil War armies, as a symbol of unity after the devastating conflict more than half a century ago at that time.
The school would undergo numerous name changes over the years, with the campus first being renamed West Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 until finally receiving its current name, the University of Memphis, in 1994.
The University of Memphis possesses many distinct accolades, including holding more Chairs of Excellence than any other university in the state with 25 of their own.
And so, Newstalk 989 would like to wish the University of Memphis a very happy birthday and many more years of excellence as it continues to nurture the next generations of “Dreamers, Thinkers, and Doers.”
