By Zach Taylor, University Relations Student Writer
Birthday cake is on the menu as the University celebrates its Founder’s Day on September 13. The Student Alumni Council and alumni will be serving cake in Heritage Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in honor of UTC’s 127th anniversary.
Old Main, the University’s first campus building
The festivities, sponsored by the SAC, will also include a large birthday card banner for everyone to sign. Historic yearbooks and university artifacts will also be available to browse.
Jayne Holder, Director of Alumni Affairs, has extended an invitation to all students, alumni, faculty, and staff to attend the celebration.
“It’s a time to look back on the foundation laid by our first students, faculty, staff, and administrators, and to appreciate the strong educational background of our University that has led to the excellence and achievements we enjoy today,” said Holder.
Chattanooga University was founded on September 15, 1886, through a collaborative effort between the city and the Episcopal Methodist Church. Three years later in 1889, the University consolidated with East Tennessee Wesleyan University at Athens, under the name U.S. Grant University. The name changed again in 1907 to University of Chattanooga.
It wasn’t until 1969, when the University merged with Chattanooga City/Zion College and joined with the University of Tennessee System, that the school became The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“Founders Day celebrates the establishment of our institution and the history and the tradition of which we are all so proud,” said Holder.
