Hubbry Logo
University of MemphisUniversity of MemphisMain
Open search
University of Memphis
Community hub
University of Memphis
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
University of Memphis
University of Memphis
University of Memphis
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The University of Memphis (Memphis) is a public research university in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1912, the university has an enrollment of more than 20,000 students.[6]

Key Information

The university maintains the Herff College of Engineering, the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI), the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the former Lambuth University campus in Jackson, Tennessee (now a branch campus of the University of Memphis), the Loewenberg College of Nursing, the School of Public Health, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the FedEx Institute of Technology, the Advanced Distributed Learning Workforce Co-Lab, and the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology. The University of Memphis is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High research activity".[7][8]

History

[edit]
Mynders Hall (left) and the Administration Building (right) at the West Tennessee State Normal School in 1911

In 1909, the Tennessee Legislature enacted the General Education Bill. This bill stated that three colleges be established, one within each grand division of the state and one additional school for African-American students. After much bidding and campaigning, the state had to choose between two sites to build the new college for West Tennessee: Jackson and Memphis. Memphis was chosen, one of the main reasons being the proximity of the rail line to the site proposed to build the new college for West Tennessee. This would allow professors and students to go home and visit their relatives. The other three schools established through the General Education Act evolved into East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), and Tennessee State University (TSU).

Prior to the establishment of the West Tennessee State Normal School[9] pursuant to the General Education Bill, a number of higher education departments existed in Memphis under the banner of the University of Memphis. This earlier University of Memphis was formed in 1909 by adding to an already existing medical school's departments of pharmacy, dentistry, and law.[10]

On September 10, 1912, West Tennessee State Normal School[11] opened in Memphis; its first president was Seymour A. Mynders.[12] By 1913 all departments of the earlier University of Memphis, except the law school, had been taken over by West Tennessee State Normal School.[10][13] After Mynders' death in 1913, John Willard Brister was chosen to take his place. After Brister's resignation in 1918, Andrew A. Kincannon became president. In 1924, Brister returned to his post as president of the school.

The name changed in 1925 to West Tennessee State Teachers College. In 1931, the campus' first newspaper, The Tiger Rag, was established. In 1939, Richard C. Jones became president of WTSTC. In 1941, the name was changed to Memphis State College, when the college expanded its liberal arts curriculum. In 1943, Dr. Jennings B. Sanders succeeded Jones as president. Three years later, the first alumnus to become president, J. Millard (Jack) Smith, was appointed. In 1951 MSC awarded its first B.A. degree. In 1957 the school received full University status and changed its name accordingly to Memphis State University.

Historical marker on campus honoring the Memphis State Eight

In 1959, five years after Brown v. Board of Education was decided by the Supreme Court of the United States, holding that racial segregation in public education was unconstitutional, the university admitted its first black students. Racial segregation was the norm throughout the South at the time. The Memphis State Eight, as they were known, were admitted to Memphis State University. Their presence on campus was the focus not only of intense media scrutiny but severe criticism from much of the local public. Ostensibly for the black students' safety and to maintain an air of calm on the campus, university administrators placed certain stringent restrictions on where and when the black students could be on campus. They were to go only to their classes, not to any of the public places on campus, such as the cafeteria; and they were to leave the campus immediately after they had finished their last class. These limitations were lifted after the novelty of their presence on campus had subsided and the public's focus on their presence there had lessened, and as more and more black students were admitted to the university, all such social restrictions were dropped. Today, black students make up more than one-third of the campus student body and participate in all campus activities.

Cecil C. Humphreys became president of MSU, succeeding Smith, in 1960. In 1966, the school began awarding doctoral degrees. Humphreys resigned as MSU president to become the first chancellor of the newly formed State University and Community College System, later renamed the Tennessee Board of Regents. John Richardson was appointed interim president.

In 1973, Dr. Billy Mac Jones became president. Also that year, the Memphis State Tigers men's basketball team reached the finals of the NCAA tournament, only to fall at the hands of a UCLA team led by future NBA superstar and Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton in the NCAA Basketball Championship Game in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1980, Thomas Carpenter became president of MSU; he was succeeded by V. Lane Rawlins in 1991. On July 1, 1994, Memphis State University changed its name again, to the current University of Memphis.

V. Lane Rawlins served from 1991 to 2000; Dr. Ralph Faudree filled in as interim president for one year after V. Lane Rawlins' departure. In 2001, The U of M installed its first female president, Shirley Raines, who retired in the summer of 2013. During her tenure (in 2008), the Tigers men's basketball team again reached the NCAA Finals, only to later have the appearance vacated after an NCAA investigation. After a yearlong search, Dr. M. David Rudd was confirmed as the 12th president on May 1, 2014.[14] In the spring semester of 2020, the university joined thousands of other institutions and made a mid-semester shift to online classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also introduced a credit/no credit grade option in lieu of the traditional grading scale for that semester.[15]

Campus

[edit]
The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, a former United States federal courthouse, opened in 2010.

The University of Memphis campus is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) east of downtown in the University District neighborhood of east Memphis. It has an area of 1,160 acres (4.7 km2), although this figure does not include the law school in the former United States federal customshouse in downtown Memphis, which opened in January 2010. The historic core of campus encompasses approximately 30 acres (120,000 m2).

Wilder Tower; the tallest building of the university's main campus

Campus planners have significantly increased the amount of green space and the number of walkways over the past several years while maintaining the original historic architecture of the campus.

Surrounding the university's main campus are several historic neighborhoods to the north and east, as well as the University District neighborhood and the commercial Highland Strip to the west. Many University of Memphis college students also reside in housing south of the main campus.

Layout

[edit]

The University of Memphis campus is set out in a rectilinear format, planned as a geometric design similar to the Jeffersonian style of the University of Virginia.

Despite the gradual expansion of the campus to the West and South, the campus is fairly compact and retains a park-like, tree-lined setting. The farthest distance on campus takes about twenty-five minutes to walk. According to the most recent master plan, the University of Memphis is projected to expand and redevelop additional areas one block west of the main campus' current western boundary of Patterson St., making Highland Avenue the "de facto" entrance to the university.[16]

Main Campus

[edit]
Students walking in front of Manning Hall
The FedEx Institute of Technology is a major research contributor in the areas of Supply Chain Management, robotics, and intelligent systems.

The center of the main campus comprises buildings that made up the original campus. The first college buildings, including Scates Hall, Manning Hall, Mynders Hall, and Administration Building, were erected in the early 20th century. This section stretches from Patterson St. south to the end of the main campus at Walker Ave., with most buildings surrounding Alumni Mall and Student Plaza. The majority of the buildings of the arts and humanities departments, as well as those of the Physics and Astronomy departments of the College of Arts and Sciences, are located in the original areas of campus.

The Administration Building at the University of Memphis
Scates Hall, the third oldest building on campus

Flanking the original area of campus to the east are the areas of major research for The Life Sciences and Engineering departments, including J.M. Smith Hall, Life Sciences Building and Herff College of Engineering Complex, as well as the College of Education, residing in E.C. Ball Hall, and the Art Museum of the University of Memphis, located in the Communication and Fine Arts Building. The Ned R. McWherter Library, a state-of-the-art library facility and one of the premier research libraries of the Mid-South United States, takes up the eastern part of the campus adjacent to Dunavant Plaza and Emeriti Grove.

UofM "Columns" Plaque

The northwestern area of the main campus includes The Fogelman College of Business and Economics, The Fogelman Executive Center (a major conference center for regional executives visiting The University of Memphis that is now mainly occupied by the University Middle School, with plans to incorporate a predecessor to a High School education completing the long dreamt of k-college experience), and The FedEx Institute of Technology, a major research contributor in the areas of Supply Chain Management, Nanotechnology, Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Originally, at the north end of the campus, Norriswood Avenue formed the northern boundary. The campus expanded into this residential area in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

University Center at the University of Memphis

The western edge and southwest corner include Johnson Hall (comprising the Geography and Geology Departments), Patterson Hall (housing the English department), John S. Wilder Tower (formerly Brister Tower), Greek Row, and the bulk of The University of Memphis residence halls. As The University of Memphis presses ahead with its planned expansion, many more facilities, pedestrian access, and green space will also be created with the renovation and development of the current residential block west of Patterson St. in the University District neighborhood.

On January 29, 2013, Governor Bill Haslam announced a $44.6 million state budget pledge for the Community Health Building, which is the new home of The Loewenberg College of Nursing and The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The University of Memphis was required to raise $15 million from private funds to match the state funds.

In 2017, the university announced plans for a new Veterans Care Center on campus. Located in the Psychological Services Center on campus, the Veterans Care Center "will address the mental health needs of veterans, regardless of era, gender, discharge status or service connection."[17]

In 2019, the university opened the Hunter Harrison Memorial Bridge, providing for the first time in school history a pedestrian crossing that connects the main campus and the campus areas south of the Norfolk-Southern railroad with uninterrupted access. This bridge connects to the new Southern Parking Garage, as well as the new $30 million Student Recreation & Fitness Center completed in 2021, expanding the area of the campus south of the railroad tracks. The university completed construction in November 2022 of the new $44 million Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music building on Central Ave., beginning a major northward expansion of campus across Central Ave.

Park Avenue Campus

[edit]

Directly south of the main campus along the corner of Park Avenue and Getwell Road sits the Park Avenue Campus, formerly known as South Campus. The Park Avenue Campus was formerly the site of Kennedy Veterans Hospital from 1942 until 1967 when the U.S. Government donated the land and buildings to the university. Very few buildings from the Kennedy Hospital days remain on campus. The Park Avenue Campus is home not only to various intramural athletics programs and facilities, but also to various research facilities, classrooms and the Community Health Building, which houses the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center, and the Loewenberg College of Nursing. The Defense Contract Audit Agency formerly operated its main training facility on the Park Avenue Campus from 1982 to the early 2010s. WKNO formerly operated its FM and television stations on the Park Avenue Campus as well.

Future plans include a regulation indoor soccer stadium and track facility, capable of hosting large-scale NCAA Division I track-and-field meets.[18]

The graduate and family housing units are located at Park Avenue, 1 mile (1.6 km) from the main university campus. The complex has 150 housing units.[19] Residents are zoned to Memphis City Schools.[20] The zoned schools are Sherwood Elementary School,[21] Colonial Middle School,[22] and White Station High School.[23]

Downtown Law School Campus

[edit]

In 2006, plans were announced that the University of Memphis, School of Law would relocate to the former U.S. Post Office & Customs House in downtown Memphis. This facility pre-dates the existence of the university itself, having been constructed in multiple sections between 1885 and the early 1920s. In 2010, the law school was moved permanently from the main campus to the newly renovated downtown campus. The new University of Memphis, School of Law campus sits adjacent to downtown courts and the financial and administrative center of the city. It has been ranked multiple times among the top law school facilities in the U.S.

Lambuth Campus

[edit]

In 2011, the University of Memphis began offering undergraduate and graduate programs on the former Lambuth University campus in Jackson, Tennessee, located approximately 80 miles (130 km) east of Memphis. Now known as the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus, the historic campus includes classroom buildings, dormitories, a library, a planetarium, and athletic facilities. Enrollment in the fall of 2011 stood at 246 students. Enrollment in the spring of 2018 was the first time enrollment surpassed 1,000 students, with a total of 1,038 students. The 2019–2020 term was the first term, to begin with an enrollment of over 1,000 students for the campus, with an official enrollment of 1,070 students. In the fall of 2020, enrollment had risen to 1,285 students.[24]

Environmentalism

[edit]

The Edward J. Meeman Biological Station of the University of Memphis conducts research in ecology, environmental biology, and natural history. It is named for Edward J. Meeman, an editor of the former Memphis Press-Scimitar newspaper who later established a foundation to fund environmental studies.[25]

In 2007, President Shirley Raines signed the American College and University President's Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which requires that the university become carbon neutral.[26]

The Green Campus Initiative works to develop and implement a strategic plan to achieve the goals of the APUPCC. Successful events and projects include the May 2009 2nd Annual E-Recycling Day, resulting in 155 tons of electronic items collected, and the Tiger Initiative for Gardening in Urban Settings (TIGUrS), a fruit and vegetable gardening initiative across campus.[27]

In April 2008, the student-run Environmental Action Club ran a Green Power Campaign to promote a student referendum to add a "Green Fee" to tuition payments to fund clean, renewable energy and other campus sustainability projects. The referendum passed with a 69% student approval rate. The university is now purchasing renewable energy through the TVA's Green Power Switch program and offsetting 10% of current energy use. It is now the 2nd largest green power purchaser in the entire TVA distribution region.[28]

In February 2009, the TERRA (Technologically and Environmentally Responsive Residential Architecture) sustainable design demonstration house was completed. Designed by the Department of Architecture, the LEED Platinum TERRA house serves as a studio for which architecture and design students to design "green" housing within urban areas, as well as serve as a demonstration house open for tours and serving as an educational tool for the community.[29]

Memphis received a grade of "C" on the 2009 Campus Sustainability Report Card published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute.[30] Only 34 schools earned a higher grade.[31]

Organization

[edit]
Student Activities Plaza
Academic rankings
National
Forbes[32]498
U.S. News & World Report[33]266 (tie)
Washington Monthly[34]149
WSJ/College Pulse[35]501–600
Global
U.S. News & World Report[36]1322 (tie)

The University of Memphis was previously associated with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system. In 2017, after the passing of the FOCUS Act legislation, the university left the Tennessee Board of Regents and established its own governing board, The University of Memphis Board of Trustees.[37] Within this framework, the president of the University of Memphis is the day-to-day administrator of the university.

The University of Memphis today comprises a number of different colleges and schools:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Fogelman College of Business and Economics
  • College of Communication and Fine Arts
  • College of Education
  • Herff College of Engineering
  • College of Professional and Liberal Studies
  • Loewenberg College of Nursing
  • Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management[38]
  • School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
  • Graduate School
  • School of Public Health
  • Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
  • Helen Hardin Honors College

The University of Memphis is host to several centers of advanced research:

  • FedEx Institute of Technology
  • Center for Earthquake Research and Information
  • Institute for Intelligent Systems
  • Advanced Distributed Learning Workforce Co-Lab
  • The Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research
  • Mobile Sensor Data-To-Knowledge Center (NIH Center of Excellence)
  • Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research

The University of Memphis Foundation, founded in 1964, manages the university endowment and accepts, manages and disburses private support to the university.[39]

Student life

[edit]
Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[40]
Race and ethnicity Total
Black 41%
 
White 37%
 
Hispanic 11%
 
Asian 5%
 
Two or more races 4%
 
International student 2%
 
Unknown 1%
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[a] 47%
 
Affluent[b] 53%
 

Athletics

[edit]
Main article: Memphis Tigers
Memphis Tigers baseball players celebrate a home run in 2018

Student organizations

[edit]

There are hundreds of student organizations on the University of Memphis campus.[41]

Student newspaper

[edit]

The Daily Helmsman is the student newspaper of the University of Memphis. The publication is part of a tradition which began in 1931 as The Tiger Rag, a protest newspaper. Since that time, the newspaper has been continuously published by University of Memphis students. Even during World War II when paper and other resources were scarce, the newspaper was published as a newsletter and posted on bulletin boards around campus.

The name of the newspaper was changed to The Helmsman in 1972 and became The Daily Helmsman in 1981 when the newspaper began publishing four days a week. In 2021, the paper moved to weekly publication.

The Helmsman has won many honors over the years for reporting, photography and design, including awards given by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Columbia University and the Southeastern Journalism Conference. Helmsman alumni have gone on to jobs at many prestigious news organizations, such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone magazine, and Southern Living magazine, among others. In 2012, The Helmsman and then-Editor-in-Chief Chelsea Boozer were awarded the College Press Freedom Award for their efforts fighting "a retaliatory budget cut while enduring a campaign of harassment by campus police."[42] The award is given annually by the Student Press Law Center and the Associated Collegiate Press. Boozer also won a national Investigative Reporters and Editors award for coverage of how student activity fees are spent, including how the Student Government Association writes its senior officers' free tuition, parking and stipends out of the money collected from the student body.

Religious organizations

[edit]

Numerous religious centers are located on the campus, including the Wesley Foundation (a United Methodist student center), the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, the university Catholic Center and Catholic Student Center, Ukirk (a PCUSA campus ministry) Barth House Episcopal Student Center, Reformed University Fellowship, the Soma Christian Student Center (a Church of Christ-supported center), Memphis Hillel, and the Muslim Students Association. Numerous other religious clubs of various faiths also exist on campus, which meets in various locations.

Honor societies

[edit]

There are 11 honor societies on campus.

Greek life

[edit]

About six percent of undergraduate men and eight percent of undergraduate women are active in Memphis' Greek system. There are over 20 social Greek letter organizations on campus.[43] However, since the late nineties, Greek campus participation has been decimated due to social issues.

Traditions

[edit]

The University of Memphis has accumulated numerous traditions over its long history within the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

Mighty Sound of the South

[edit]
Main article: Mighty Sound of the South

The Mighty Sound of the South Band is the university's band. The band performs at Memphis Tigers football games as a marching band and at Tigers basketball games as a pep band. As one of the oldest institutions at the university, the Band partakes in many of the game day traditions. The MSS performs more than any other student ensemble on campus and for approximately 350,000 fans each fall. The MSS is featured at nearly every campus-wide event, ranging from Freshman Convocation to the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally. The band has been featured on the nationally syndicated "Mike & Mandy" Radio Show, and is a star attraction at the Bandmaster's Championship, a high school marching band contest administered by The University of Memphis Band Alumni Chapter. Members of the MSS represent all academic disciplines across campus and historically have been open to all students via audition.

Mascot

[edit]
Main article: TOM (mascot)

For over 30 years, since 1972, the sideline mascot for The University of Memphis has been a live Bengal tiger named TOM. During this time, the university has hosted three successive tigers, known respectively as TOM I, TOM II, and TOM III. The university also has a costumed tiger mascot known as Pouncer.

Throughout the majority of the TOM era, the tiger attended all Tiger football home games and other University events. TOM traveled in a climate-controlled trailer with a police escort and was housed and cared for by the Highland Hundred Tiger Guard, an alumni booster organization in a $300,000 facility.

TOM II matured, eventually weighing more than 500 pounds (230 kg). The University of Memphis was one of only two universities in America with a live tiger mascot (the other being LSU in Baton Rouge). After being diagnosed with mouth cancer, TOM II was euthanized on October 15, 2008, at the age of 17. The team of veterinarians who oversaw TOM II decided this was necessary to ensure he did not suffer due to his illness.

TOM III, the most recent tiger, died on September 18, 2020.[44] Following TOM's passing it was announced that there would be a TOM IV, but it would be housed and remain at the Memphis Zoo.[45]

The university currently has fifty tiger statues located on campus and another fifty located around the Memphis area. The Alumni Association placed the life-sized tigers around the city in honor of the university's centennial in January 2012.[46]

Nickname

[edit]

When the University of Memphis first fielded a football team in the fall of 1912, no one had selected a nickname for the squad. Early references to the football team tabbed them only as the Blue and Gray Warriors.

After the final game of the 1914 season, there was a student parade. During this event, several university students shouted, "We fight like Tigers!" The nickname was born. As time passed, the nickname "Tigers" was increasingly used, particularly in campus publications, but did not catch on with the newspapers downtown. They continued to use "the Blue and Gray" when referring to the university. Blue and Gray represented the unity of the United States and in 1976, the Tigers wore red, white and blue in celebration of the United States Bicentennial.

Under Coach Lester Barnard in 1922, Memphis's football team gave a ring of truth to that old student yell about Tigers. The team adopted a motto – "Every Man a Tiger" – and went on to score 174 points while allowing its opponents just 29 points. The Tiger nickname continued with students and alumni, eventually being adopted as the official nickname for the University of Memphis in 1939.

Song

[edit]

Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement and convocation, and athletic games is "Go! Tigers! Go!", the University of Memphis Tigers' fight song. The fight song was written by Tom Ferguson, former Director of Bands at Memphis State University during the 1960s.

Special programs and institutes

[edit]

Tennessee Governor's School for International Studies

[edit]

The Governor's School for International Studies is an academic summer program for gifted junior and senior high school students in Tennessee. It is a selective program located at the University of Memphis in which students study two political sciences, a foreign language, and an elective of their choice from the international studies curriculum. The students, upon finishing the four-week term, gain six hours of college credit which may be transferred to any Tennessee Board of Regents School.[47]

Chucalissa Indian Village

[edit]

UofM also operates the Chucalissa Indian Village, an American Indian heritage site and museum. Officially known as the T. O. Fuller State Park, the location includes a museum and important archeological sites.

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change

[edit]

Founded in 1996 by civil rights activist Benjamin L. Hooks, and faculty of the department of political science at the University of Memphis, the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis is dedicated to preserving the history of the civil rights movement and continuing the struggle for equality championed by its namesake. The Hooks Institute is housed within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Memphis. The mission of the Hooks Institute is to teach, study and promote civil rights and positive social change. This mission is implemented through a variety of programs focused on the scholarship of the civil rights movement, public policy research and scholarship, commemorations and grants focused on continuing scholarship of the civil rights movement, public events focused on civil rights and social change, media focused on the civil rights movement including documentary films and websites, and direct engagement programs to improve the conditions of marginalized communities.[48]

Notable people

[edit]
Main article: List of University of Memphis people

List of presidents

[edit]
  • Seymour A. Mynders (1912–1913)
  • John Willard Brister (1913–1918)
  • Andrew A. Kincannon (1918–1924)
  • John Willard Brister (1924–1939)
  • Richard C. Jones (1939–1943)
  • Jennings B. Sanders (1943–1946)
  • J. Millard (Jack) Smith (1946–1960)
  • Cecil C. Humphreys (1960–1972)
  • John Richardson (1972–1973) interim
  • Billy Mac Jones (1973–1980)
  • Thomas G. Carpenter (1980–1991)
  • V. Lane Rawlins (1991–2000)
  • Ralph Faudree (2000–2001) interim
  • Shirley C. Raines (2001–2013)
  • R. Brad Martin (2013–2014) interim
  • M. David Rudd (2014–2022)
  • Bill Hardgrave (2022–Present)

Notable alumni

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

University of Memphis

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

The University of Memphis is a public research university in . Founded in 1912 as the West Tennessee State Normal School under the Tennessee General Education Bill of 1909, it evolved through name changes—including Memphis State University—before adopting its current name in 1994, reflecting its expansion from teacher training to a broad research institution. As of Fall 2025, it enrolls 19,652 students and operates on a , supporting over 149 areas of study across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels in 25 colleges and schools. Classified as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity, it secured a record $50.2 million in external research funding in fiscal year 2024, funding initiatives in fields like , , and . The university's athletic teams, the Memphis Tigers, compete in as members of the American Athletic Conference, with notable success in . It has produced alumni including U.S. senators, NBA players, and business leaders, underscoring its regional impact despite criticisms of administrative decisions and academic program emphases in state reports.

History

Founding and Early Development (1912–1950)

The University of Memphis traces its origins to the Tennessee General Education Bill of 1909, which authorized the creation of normal schools to train teachers across the state, with Memphis selected as the site for the West Tennessee institution after competition from other cities. Classes commenced on September 10, 1912, as the West Tennessee State Normal School, under the leadership of first president Seymour A. Mynders, with an initial enrollment of approximately 300 students and 17 faculty members on an 80-acre campus featuring three red brick buildings constructed at a cost of $450,000. The curriculum focused on teacher preparation at the elementary and secondary levels, establishing school colors of blue and gray and adopting the tiger as mascot in its inaugural year. Early expansion included the construction of key facilities such as Scates Hall as the first men's dormitory, an initial library, and a dining hall in the and , alongside the introduction of the DeSoto . In 1925, the institution was renamed West Tennessee State Teachers College, began conferring bachelor's degrees, and imposed a requirement for admission, coinciding with enrollment growth to about 1,000 students; it underwent further renaming to State Teachers College at Memphis in 1930. Under presidents including John W. Brister, who oversaw the 1928 dedication of Brister Library, the college navigated severe financial strain during the with a as low as $35,000, averting closure through administrative . By 1941, amid curriculum broadening beyond teacher training into liberal arts, the name changed to Memphis State College. precipitated a sharp enrollment decline to 200 students and temporary loss of accreditation, though post-war influxes of veterans under President J. B. Sanders facilitated recovery and accreditation restoration. In 1946, alumnus J. Millard "Jack" Smith assumed the presidency, marking the first leadership by a graduate, while the institution discontinued its agriculture department in 1935 and launched The Tiger Rag newspaper in 1931. Graduate programs were initiated in 1950, signaling a shift toward advanced .

Post-War Expansion and Integration (1951–1994)

Following World War II, Memphis State College experienced significant enrollment recovery driven by returning veterans utilizing the G.I. Bill, though specific figures for the early 1950s remain limited; by 1960, enrollment stood at 5,287 students. Under President J. Millard Smith, who assumed office in the early 1950s as the first alumnus president, the institution initiated graduate studies in 1950 and transitioned to a semester system in 1954, laying groundwork for expanded academic offerings. In 1957, the Tennessee state legislature elevated Memphis State College to university status, renaming it Memphis State University, which facilitated broader program development including engineering and law. Racial integration commenced amid federal court mandates following . A 1955 lawsuit upheld a gradual desegregation plan starting with graduate students, culminating in undergraduate admission. On September 18, 1959, eight African American students—known as the Memphis State Eight: Eleanor Gandy, Sammie Burnett Johnson, Marvis Kneeland Jones, Bertha Rogers Looney, Rose Blakney Love, Luther McClellan, Ralph Prater, and John Simpson—enrolled amid a total student body of approximately 4,500, entering classes under with minimal disruption despite a small segregationist demonstration. Initially restricted from full campus facilities and required to depart by noon, these pioneers faced isolation; Luther McClellan became the first African American graduate in 1962. African American enrollment surged from eight in 1959 to 2,000 by 1970, comprising a substantial portion of the university's growth to around 20,000 total students. Under President Cecil C. Humphreys in the and , the university underwent rapid physical and academic expansion, including construction of the University Center, a 12-story , and other facilities, alongside the introduction of doctoral programs in 1966. Enrollment climbed by approximately 13,000 students between 1960 and 1970, stabilizing near 20,000 in the , supported by new graduate, , , and initiatives. In 1983, Memphis State achieved accreditation for its entire curriculum, the first in to do so. The period concluded in 1994 with the renaming to The University of Memphis and completion of the Ned R. McWherter , marking full transition to comprehensive university status amid stabilized enrollment and enhanced minority participation, with African American students reaching 26% by the early .

Rebranding and Modern Growth (1995–Present)

The transition from Memphis State University to the University of Memphis, effective July 1, 1994, facilitated a rebranding that emphasized the institution's evolution into a comprehensive doctoral research university, aligning its public image with expanded academic and research ambitions. This change, approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents, reflected prior achievements in doctoral programs and infrastructure, such as the completion of the Ned R. McWherter Library in 1994, which enhanced library resources for a growing student body. Enrollment stabilized and modestly expanded from around 20,000 students in the mid-1990s to 22,044 by fall 2023, with recent years showing year-over-year increases of 2.2% amid efforts to boost freshman intake by 4.3% in fall 2025. Under transitions, including presidents Shirley C. Raines (2000–2013) and subsequent administrations, the university prioritized intensification, culminating in its designation as a Carnegie R1 institution—"Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity"—in 2021, a status renewed thereafter based on elevated research expenditures and doctoral degrees awarded. Key initiatives included the establishment of the FedEx Institute of Technology in the early 2000s, funded through partnerships with , which advanced interdisciplinary research, , and startup incubation, contributing to nationally recognized centers in areas like supply chain innovation and . The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management was also developed during this period, bolstering specialized programs. From 2017 onward, under presidents M. David Rudd and Bill Hardgrave, strategic investments yielded unprecedented growth, including heightened research profiles, safer campus rankings—for the sixth time in eight years as Tennessee's safest large campus—and expanded online programs like UofM Global to accommodate working professionals. These efforts positioned the University of Memphis as one of 's three comprehensive doctoral-extensive institutions, awarding over 3,000 degrees annually while maintaining 25 Chairs of Excellence, the highest number among Tennessee public universities.

Campus and Facilities

Main Campus Layout and Features

The main campus of the University of Memphis occupies 1,600 acres in an urban setting within the University District of eastern . Positioned on bluffs overlooking the , it integrates modern buildings with landscaped grounds in a residential neighborhood proximate to , recreation, and entertainment venues. Campus layout emphasizes pedestrian accessibility, with the Alumni Mall forming the central hub for student gatherings, academic events, and activities like the annual Involvement Fair. Academic, administrative, and support facilities cluster around this mall, extending outward to residential halls, research centers, and athletic complexes, supported by a network of walkways, roads, and campus-wide wireless connectivity. Development guidelines limit building heights to six to eight stories to preserve compatibility with existing low-rise structures. Prominent features include the Ned R. McWherter Library, whose floor plan equals the length and width of a football field multiplied across four fields for expansive study and space. The University Center on Alumni Mall provides divisible ballrooms seating up to 800 theater-style, multiple theaters, and diverse dining options within a sky-lit atrium. Housing encompasses nine residence halls with varied room sizes, apartments, and townhouses. Specialized facilities such as the FedEx Institute of Technology foster and innovation, while athletic venues like anchor the southern periphery.

Satellite Campuses and Off-Site Locations

The University of Memphis maintains the in , approximately 80 miles northeast of the main campus in Memphis, serving as a key extension for in . Spanning 57 acres, the campus was acquired by the university in 2011 for $7.9 million following the closure of the private amid financial difficulties, with official ownership transferred in January 2012 and the first University of Memphis classes commencing that spring semester. The Lambuth Campus emphasizes small class sizes, hands-on learning, and experienced , offering select undergraduate programs while providing students full access to resources, athletics, and opportunities at the main campus through the "Tiger Nation" network. Facilities include historic structures from its Methodist origins dating to , such as , alongside modern amenities like the M. D. Anderson for public and educational programming on astronomy topics. Beyond Lambuth, the university offers select courses at additional satellite locations to extend accessibility, though specific sites are not enumerated in primary institutional descriptions; students may also pursue fully online degrees through UofM Global, established in 1995, which delivers regionally accredited programs without physical presence requirements.

Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Recent Developments

The University of Memphis main encompasses 1,607 acres and includes 239 buildings. Facilities Operations and Maintenance oversees the operation, maintenance, and repair of these building infrastructures as well as campus . Key facilities include the FedEx Institute of Technology, which supports innovation in areas such as and cybersecurity, and the Edwards Research and Innovation Center, a STEM-focused venue bridging academia and industry through specialized labs for seismic research, biomaterials, and related fields. Campus Planning and Design manages facility and site improvements to enhance the physical environment, emphasizing a classic collegiate atmosphere. Notable structures encompass administrative buildings like Manning Hall and Scates Hall, alongside modern additions such as the FedEx Institute, which facilitates and . The university maintains utility infrastructure across main, , and Lambuth campuses, with dedicated maps for emergency access and operations. Sustainability efforts at the University of Memphis are guided by a plan promoting urban ecological practices, including stewardship of built and natural environments, integration into curriculum and , and . Initiatives encompass designing LEED-standard buildings, , operation of the TIGUrS community garden, and carbon emission reductions through green product purchases and energy enhancements. Full-time students contribute via a $10 each fall and spring semester, supporting these programs. The annual Tiger Blue Goes Green event, held October 7, 2025, at Student Plaza, featured over 30 exhibitors focused on waste-to-resource strategies and advancement. Recent developments include the repurposing of a former into the first phase of a research park, providing space for emerging tech companies and fostering . In 2024, ground was broken on an apartment-style housing complex at the Park Avenue Campus to accommodate growing student needs. The university secured a $25 million grant for the GROWWTH initiative in 2025, marking its largest research funding award to date. Future plans outline a $47 million academic addition by 2030 and replacement of two aging buildings, alongside updates to the business complex to serve 5,000 students by 2028-29. In August 2025, the university joined the Health Diplomacy Institutional Network, expanding engagement.

Governance and Administration

Leadership Structure and Presidents

The University of Memphis operates under a model led by an independent Board of Trustees, established in to enhance institutional autonomy and local control over strategic decisions. This board, comprising , community leaders, , and representatives, bears responsibility for formulation, fiscal oversight, and appointing the president, while adhering to state laws and oversight from the Higher Education Commission. The president serves as the , exercising delegated administrative authority from the Board to manage daily operations, academic programs, and . Supporting the president is the Provost for academic affairs and a cadre of vice presidents overseeing areas such as , , success, and external relations. The President's Council, formed by heads of major administrative divisions, coordinates university-wide priorities including enrollment growth, graduation rates, fundraising, and service enhancements. The institution has had 13 presidents since its inception as West Tennessee State Normal School in 1912. Dr. Seymour A. Mynders was the first, presiding over the school's opening on September 10, 1912. Notable early leaders included John W. Brister, who held two terms and inspired the naming of Brister Library upon its construction in 1928; J. Millard "Jack" Smith, installed in 1946 as the first alumnus president amid post-World War II expansion; and Cecil C. Humphreys, who guided the university through the 1970s with significant campus development. In more recent decades, M. David Rudd advanced institutional priorities during his tenure in the 2010s. Dr. Bill Hardgrave, the 13th president, took office on April 1, 2022, after selection by the Board on November 9, 2021; he had previously held roles as Provost and Senior at the university.

Organizational Framework and Departments

The University of Memphis employs a hierarchical administrative framework typical of public research universities, with ultimate authority vested in the Board of Regents and the institution's Board of Trustees, which appoints the president as . The president, currently Dr. Bill Hardgrave, oversees a council of executive vice presidents and vice presidents who direct major operational divisions responsible for academic, financial, student support, and auxiliary functions. This structure facilitates coordinated decision-making across the university's main campus in Memphis and satellite locations, emphasizing efficiency in and policy implementation as outlined in official organizational charts. Key administrative divisions include the Division of Academic Affairs, led by Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. David Russomanno, which coordinates instructional programs, faculty affairs, and enrollment strategies; the Division of Business and Finance, under the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, handling budgeting, facilities, and procurement; and the Division of Student Affairs, directed by Vice President Melinda Carlson, focusing on residential life, counseling, and extracurricular activities. Additional divisions encompass Enrollment Management, headed by Vice President Dr. Brian W. Meredith since May 2025, responsible for recruitment and retention; Advancement for fundraising and alumni relations; Athletics for intercollegiate sports compliance and operations; and Research and Innovation, led by Executive Vice President Jasbir Dhaliwal, promoting grants and technology transfer. Within this framework, operational departments support divisional goals, such as for personnel management, Services for cybersecurity and infrastructure under Dr. Jeff Delaney, and Facilities Management for maintenance and initiatives. Academic departments, numbering over 100, are nested within 13 colleges and schools— including the College of Arts and Sciences, Fogelman College of Business and Economics, Herff College of Engineering, and specialized units like the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and School of —allowing for discipline-specific while aligning with university-wide policies. This departmental organization enables targeted research output, with and health sciences departments contributing significantly to external funding, as tracked in annual reports.

Funding Sources, Budget, and Financial Challenges

The University of Memphis, as a public institution within the Tennessee Board of Regents system, derives the majority of its funding from state appropriations and tuition revenues, which together accounted for approximately 84% of operational costs in recent fiscal analyses. For fiscal year 2025, state appropriations totaled $177,707,600, supporting core educational and general operations, while tuition and fees generated $206,718,300, reflecting a planned 4.92% increase for in-state undergraduates approved in June 2025 to address rising expenses. Federal grants and contracts contributed significantly to restricted funds, amounting to about $92 million, primarily for activities, alongside $16.5 million in private gifts and $37 million from auxiliary enterprises such as and dining. Endowment income added $2.9 million, drawn from foundation assets exceeding $345 million as of recent reports. The university's FY2025 operating budget projected total unrestricted funds available at $492.5 million, with combined unrestricted and restricted expenditures reaching $644.6 million, including $154.2 million for instruction, $41.8 million for , and $37 million for athletics. For the prior ended June 30, 2024, audited operating revenues stood at $272.4 million against total expenses of $547.2 million, offset by $183 million in nonoperating state appropriations, resulting in a net position increase to $932.2 million and no material audit findings on financial controls. Special allocations included $21 million for reserves and transfers, such as debt service and capital projects funded partly by state bonds. Financial challenges include a 6% enrollment decline in FY2024, attributed to stricter admissions standards and broader demographic trends like falling birth rates, which pressured tuition revenue despite increases. The university has pursued alignment with Tennessee's performance-based formulas to maximize state support, amid constraints from binding tuition caps under state law. Heavy reliance on federal grants for research—exacerbated by proposed cuts in 2025—has prompted concerns over potential disruptions, though administrators emphasize diversified revenue strategies to mitigate risks. Specific issues, such as a $1.35 million shortfall in scholarships for Ghanaian students resolved in 2025, highlight vulnerabilities in international auxiliary but represent isolated rather than systemic deficits. Overall, the institution maintains positive net assets without operating deficits, focusing on enrollment stabilization and grant diversification.

Academics

Colleges, Schools, and Academic Units

The University of Memphis organizes its academic offerings across 13 colleges, schools, and specialized units, encompassing over 180 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. These units serve more than 21,500 students and emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, professional training, and research integration. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic division, comprising 24 departments, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs, and multiple research centers, including two designated Centers of Excellence. It provides foundational education in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, and foreign languages, supporting both liberal arts and pre-professional tracks. The Fogelman College of Business and Economics focuses on commerce, finance, management, marketing, accountancy, and economics, offering AACSB-accredited programs that prepare students for business leadership roles through coursework in analytics, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. The College of Communication and Fine Arts integrates journalism, media studies, theatre, art, music, and dance, fostering creative and communicative skills via practical training in broadcasting, digital media production, and performance arts. The College of Education delivers teacher preparation, , and counseling programs, with emphases on curriculum instruction, , and to address K-12 and higher education needs. The Herff College of Engineering specializes in civil, electrical, computer, mechanical, and , alongside engineering technology, promoting in areas like biomedical devices and sustainable through hands-on labs and industry partnerships. The Loewenberg College of Nursing provides CCNE-accredited nursing degrees from BSN to DNP levels, training clinicians for , , and advanced practice roles amid regional healthcare demands. The College of Health Sciences encompasses clinical laboratory sciences, , , and respiratory therapy, emphasizing evidence-based patient care and rehabilitation sciences. The College of Professional and Liberal Studies caters to non-traditional students with flexible programs in liberal studies, professional studies, and interdisciplinary fields like organizational leadership and applied sciences. Specialized schools include the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, which offers JD and LLM programs focused on legal practice, advocacy, and policy in a Mid-South context; the School of , addressing , , and ; and the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, training speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management concentrates on , hotel management, and event planning, leveraging Memphis's and sectors. The Helen Hardin Honors College enhances with rigorous seminars and opportunities for high-achieving students. The Graduate School oversees advanced degrees across units, ensuring interdisciplinary and research-oriented postgraduate training.

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

The University of Memphis offers bachelor's degrees across more than 250 areas of study, primarily through its colleges of arts and sciences, business and economics, education, engineering, and health sciences. Common undergraduate majors include , , (B.S.), and (B.A.), (B.A.), English (B.A.), , and , with options for concentrations such as general or sciences (B.A.). The university also provides accelerated bachelor's/master's pathways and online undergraduate programs in fields like professional studies and organizational leadership to accommodate diverse student needs. In fall 2024, undergraduate headcount enrollment was 16,702 students. Graduate programs at the University of Memphis encompass master's degrees in 54 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines, emphasizing research, professional development, and interdisciplinary applications. Master's offerings include the MBA (professional, , or executive tracks), M.S. in accounting with concentrations in or information systems, M.S. in , and M.F.A. in fine arts, while doctoral programs feature Ph.D.s in , chemistry, communication, , and (Ed.D.). Joint programs, such as the Ph.D. in with the Health Science Center, integrate and sciences. The graduate portfolio includes over 161 concentrations, with fully options in , , and liberal studies for working professionals. Graduate headcount enrollment in fall 2024 was 3,817 students. In 2023, the university awarded 5,018 degrees across undergraduate and graduate levels, with bachelor's degrees comprising the majority.

Research Initiatives, Centers, and Funding

The University of Memphis supports a range of initiatives through its Division of Research & Innovation, which facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration via the Communities of Research Scholars (CoRS) program established in fall 2018. This division oversees sponsored programs, , and compliance, contributing to the university's designation as a Carnegie R1 research institution. In fiscal year 2024, faculty secured over $100 million in research awards, with total research expenditures exceeding $100 million, reflecting growth in externally funded projects from agencies like the (NSF) and the Department of Defense. Key research centers include the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI), a Center of Excellence focused on seismology and hazard mitigation, and the FedEx Institute of Technology, which drives innovation in areas such as cybersecurity, , and autonomous systems through clusters like the NSF-funded AI GPU facility and the Center for Electrified and Automated Trucking (CEAT). Other notable institutes encompass the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for , emphasizing civil rights research, and the Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE), promoting agricultural innovation. The university also maintains core facilities accessible campus-wide for advanced experimentation, alongside internal funding mechanisms like faculty research grants to seed external proposals. Funding derives from federal grants, state allocations, private partnerships, and the University of Memphis Research Foundation, which manages endowments supporting scholarly activities. Examples include a $906,190 from Perspecta Labs in 2022 for computing and $87,652 from NSF for faculty projects. These resources enable initiatives addressing regional priorities, such as via the Center for Applied and (CAESER) and educational through the Center for in Educational (CREP).

Rankings, Accreditation, and Academic Reputation

The University of Memphis holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body responsible for accrediting degree-granting institutions in the , authorizing it to confer baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. This accreditation was reaffirmed following compliance reviews, with no public sanctions or disclosure statements issued against the institution in SACSCOC's June 2025 or December 2024 actions. In national rankings, the university placed #273 (tie) overall among U.S. National Universities and #154 (tie) among Top Public Schools in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 edition, reflecting metrics such as graduation rates, faculty resources, and student selectivity. It ranked #176 (tie) in Best Undergraduate Programs (doctorate-granting category) in the same assessment. Subject-specific graduate programs showed varied performance, including #99 for the (out of 219 evaluated) and #125 for the College of Education in U.S. News 2025 Best Graduate Schools. Globally, it ranked 1088th in U.S. News Best Global Universities 2023 and 801-1000th in World University Rankings 2025, with subject-area placements such as 401-500th in Arts & Humanities. The university's academic reputation is anchored in its Carnegie Classification as an R1 with Very High Activity, a designation achieved in 2021 and retained through the 2025 update, signifying substantial doctoral production and research expenditures exceeding $50 million annually in doctoral STEM fields. This status positions it among approximately 146 U.S. institutions meeting rigorous thresholds for research intensity, though broader reputational surveys, such as those incorporated in 2026 (1201-1400th overall), highlight limitations in international academic peer perception compared to elite research universities. output metrics include placement in the top 4.9% worldwide per for World University Rankings evaluations, driven by publication volume and citations, and 183rd in the U.S. per EduRank 2025 assessments across 188 research topics. In Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings, it led institutions in value-added categories, scoring 43rd nationally for student experience based on outcomes relative to inputs.

Admissions and Student Demographics

Admissions Policies and Selectivity

The University of Memphis admits first-time freshmen on a rolling basis, requiring submission of a completed application, official high school transcripts, and optional ACT or SAT scores through a test-flexible policy implemented in response to disruptions from the and extended thereafter. Applicants without test scores receive holistic review emphasizing high school GPA, curriculum rigor (including at least 14 core units in English, mathematics, sciences, , and foreign languages as recommended by Board of Regents standards), extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and alternative academic indicators such as grades or AP/IB performance. GED or HiSET holders must achieve minimum scores of 450 or 45, respectively, alongside optional test submission for full consideration. Under the test-flexible framework, scores are not required for admission but may be submitted to strengthen applications, particularly for competitive scholarships, honors programs, or NCAA athletic eligibility; course placement in English and requires either test scores, placement assessments like ALEKS, or supplemental questionnaires by of the enrollment year. Admitted students typically self-report initial GPA and scores, with final verification via official transcripts post-admission. International applicants face additional English proficiency mandates, such as TOEFL or IELTS, while in-state reciprocity agreements with bordering states facilitate access for qualified residents. Selectivity remains moderate, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 72% based on recent cycles, admitting around 10,864 of 15,083 applicants for fall 2024; this positions the institution as accessible rather than highly competitive, prioritizing broad enrollment growth over stringent thresholds. Among admitted freshmen who submit scores, the middle 50% range spans SAT totals of 930–1150 and ACT composites of 18–24, with an average high school GPA of 3.62; the fall 2025 incoming class reported a record-high average GPA of 3.63, reflecting strengthened applicant pools amid rising state high school standards. The Lambuth campus, a smaller , applies more selective criteria with a 46% acceptance rate and ACT averages of 18–23. Total enrollment at the University of Memphis peaked in fall 2017 at 21,521 students, following a period of growth from 21,301 in fall 2016, before declining sharply amid the and related disruptions to higher education. By fall , enrollment had fallen to 15,601, continuing to decrease to 14,750 in fall 2021 and 14,317 in fall 2022, reflecting broader national trends in postsecondary participation influenced by health restrictions, economic shifts toward immediate workforce entry, and expanded online alternatives.
Fall YearTotal Enrollment
201621,301
201721,521
201821,458
202015,601
202114,750
202214,317
202519,652
Data compiled from university reports and analyses; gaps reflect unavailable public figures for select years. Enrollment stabilized and partially rebounded to 19,652 in fall 2025, with numbers rising 4.3% to 2,044 compared to the prior year, signaling potential recovery amid ongoing challenges like declining regional birth rates and competition from vocational programs. Administrators have cited targeted efforts and in-state growth—up 5%—as factors in the uptick, though overall figures remain below pre-pandemic levels. The university's undergraduate programs constitute the majority of enrollment, with historical averages around 17,000 undergraduates over the past decade, while graduate headcount hovered near 4,500 as of 2021-22 before broader fluctuations. Approximately 64% of were full-time enrollees in recent pre-rebound data, a proportion likely sustained amid the stabilization.

Student Body Composition and Diversity Metrics

As of fall 2023, the University of Memphis enrolled 21,736 students, consisting of 16,771 undergraduates and 4,965 graduate and professional students. Undergraduate enrollment declined to an estimated 15,770 by fall 2024, reflecting broader trends in attendance amid demographic shifts and competing institutions. The overall student body exhibits a imbalance favoring females, with women comprising 59.1% and men 40.9% of undergraduates in fall 2024; graduate programs show a similar skew, with approximately 62% female enrollment. Racial and ethnic composition data for fall 2023 indicate a diverse mirroring Memphis's demographics, where Black or African American students form the largest group at 34.7%, followed by White students at 38.3%. Undergraduate-specific metrics from fall 2024 show Black students at nearly 40%, White at 35%, and smaller shares for other groups, with non-resident aliens (primarily international students) at 5.4%.
Race/EthnicityPercentage (Fall 2023 Total)Notes
38.3%Largest group overall
Black or African American34.7%Plurality among undergraduates (up to 41%)
or Latino9.44%
Asian4.78%
Two or More Races3.66%
Non-Resident Alien~5%International students
Other/Unknown~4%Includes Native American (0.1%) and
These figures position the as a majority-minority in practice for undergraduates, though official designation requires specific thresholds under federal guidelines; data from the confirm underrepresented minorities (Black, Hispanic, Native American) exceed 50% in recent cohorts. Age demographics skew traditional, with most undergraduates under 25, but non-traditional students (age 25+) comprise about 20% due to part-time and transfer pathways. Enrollment declines since 2019, down over 10% by 2024, correlate with regional economic factors and reduced high school pools rather than diversity initiatives.

Student Life and Campus Culture

Housing, Dining, and Daily Life

The University of Memphis maintains on-campus housing for approximately 2,784 students across eight communities on the main campus, encompassing traditional residence halls, suite-style accommodations, apartments, and townhouses for undergraduates, graduates, and students with families. Traditional options include all-female halls like Rawls Hall, which houses 304 residents in doubles with community bathrooms, and all-male South Hall, accommodating 166 in suite-style doubles. Specialized facilities such as the Living Learning Complex serve first-year students with a capacity of 496 in pod-style suites featuring shared kitchens and restrooms. Apartment-style housing in Carpenter Complex provides 328 beds in four-bedroom units for upperclassmen. Housing rates for the 2025-2026 apply per semester and include utilities up to monthly caps of $100 for one-bedroom units and $150 for two-bedroom units, with overages billed to accounts. Examples include $2,582 for community-style doubles in Rawls or Smith Halls, $3,246 for Living Learning Complex pods, and $4,103 for upperclassmen apartments in Centennial Place or Carpenter Complex. Graduate and family housing at Apartments features one- and two-bedroom configurations starting at $2,983 per semester for certain units. Residence halls commonly provide 24-hour front desks, laundry facilities, lounges, and study areas to facilitate daily needs. Dining services, managed by UofM Dining, operate 21 locations campus-wide, offering all-you-can-eat residential dining alongside retail venues such as , , and Slim & Husky's in the University Center. Full-time undergraduates automatically receive $350 in Tiger Eat$ dollars per semester for flexible use at any dining outlet, supplementing optional meal plans that range from block meal packages to unlimited access. Meal plan selections can be adjusted up to three times via the Campus Card portal before locking for the semester. Accommodations for dietary needs, including allergies, are available through dining services. Daily life on integrates and dining with amenities supporting academic and social routines, including kitchenettes in suite-style halls and proximity to recreational facilities. Approximately 20% of students reside on , with the majority , reflecting the urban setting's emphasis on accessible transit and off-campus options. feedback on platforms like Niche highlights variability in and infrastructure , with some citing outdated buildings and subpar dining experiences amid the convenience of on-site options. Official resources promote the residential communities as fostering engagement through proximity to events and peer interactions.

Extracurricular Organizations and Activities

The University of Memphis supports over 250 registered student organizations (RSOs), which encompass academic, cultural, professional, service, and recreational groups, managed through the Tiger Zone database for membership, events, and profiles. These organizations require at least 10 current student members (or 6 for Lambuth Campus groups) and a for registration, enabling student-led initiatives in and campus engagement. Examples include the Student Government Association for policy advocacy, the Honors Student Organization for academic enrichment events, and departmental groups like the Fogelman Leaders in Action in business. Fraternity and sorority life involves 21 inter/national social Greek organizations, with more than 10% of undergraduates participating, fostering relationships, , and . The Panhellenic Council oversees sororities such as , , , , , and , while other councils govern and multicultural groups. Membership recruitment occurs through structured processes, with resources for chapter expectations, policies, and intake guidelines provided by Fraternity & Sorority Affairs. Performing arts opportunities include ensembles in the Rudi E. Scheidt School of , such as the audition-based University Singers for choral performances, the Memphis Percussion Group for diverse percussion literature, and the Mighty Sound of the South open to all students. and productions occur through departmental programs, complemented by campus events like concerts and exhibits organized by the Student Activities Council. Recreational activities feature through Campus Recreation, offering diverse competitions like and soccer via IMLeagues, emphasizing participation and team bonds over 20+ sports annually. Club sports and facilities support competitive outlets, while service engagement via the Center for and Volunteerism connects students to over 100 weekly opportunities in , mentoring, and . Religious life includes 42 registered groups for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Honor societies such as recognize top-performing students across disciplines by invitation.

Athletics Programs and Achievements

The University of Memphis fields 19 varsity athletic teams known as the Tigers, competing in as a charter member of the American Athletic Conference. These include eight men's programs—, , cross country, football, , soccer, , and —and eleven women's programs—, cross country, , rifle, soccer, , , , and . Men's basketball represents the most successful program, with over 1,500 wins, 29 NCAA appearances, and three berths in 1973, 1985, and 2008 (the latter vacated by the NCAA due to recruiting violations). The team has secured 19 regular-season conference titles and 13 championships, alongside four NIT final fours and one NIT title in 1987. In March 2025, the Tigers won their second AAC men's championship, defeating UAB 84-72 in the final. Football, dating to 1912, maintains an all-time record of 374-361-8 through 2024, including five championships. The program achieved its highest historical ranking of No. 14 in the 1967 UPI after a 9-0-1 season. Recent success under coach includes multiple bowl appearances. Across athletics, the department excels academically, posting a 92% NCAA Graduation Success Rate in the most recent report—fifth among AAC peers—with six programs at 100%. Other sports have contributed conference titles in , men's and women's soccer, and , though and football dominate national recognition.

Traditions, Symbols, and Campus Events

The official colors of the University of Memphis are blue and gray, selected by the institution's inaugural students in 1912 to represent between the Union and Confederate forces following the . The university seal incorporates a , laurel leaves symbolizing achievement, the founding year MCMXII, and the Latin motto imaginare, cogitare, facere, translating to "to imagine, to think, to do." A bronze statue of the live mascot TOM III, erected for the university's centennial in 2012, serves as a campus landmark where students rub the tiger's nose for good luck. The has been the university's since 1939, with live tiger cubs designated as TOM beginning in 1972—currently TOM III—and the costumed character Pouncer debuting in 1960 to represent at athletic events. The , "Go, Tigers, Go!", composed by former band director Tom Ferguson, rallies supporters with lyrics emphasizing victory and fidelity to the blue and gray: "Go, Tigers, go! Go on to victory / Be a winner through and through / Fight, Tigers, fight! 'Cause we're going all the way / Fight, fight for the blue and gray." The , written by John W. Brister in 1929, invokes enduring loyalty: "Stand firm, O , / Through all the years to come; / In days of youth and beauty / Thy halls have been our home." Key traditions include the annual Memphis Ring Ceremony, held in conjunction with December or May commencements, where eligible students with over 90 credit hours receive the official university ring, symbolically blessed by Pouncer or TOM to mark academic progress toward graduation. The Award, presented during home football pregame ceremonies, recognizes individuals or groups for exemplary contributions to the university's welfare and community traditions, with honorees such as the Memphis State Eight receiving posthumous lifetime achievement distinctions in 2009. Fridays encourage students, faculty, and to wear tiger blue attire weekly to foster campus spirit, while the Frosh Camp orients incoming freshmen through a four-day retreat at Camp NaCoMe, emphasizing institutional values and peer bonding. Prominent campus events revolve around athletics and , including Week in late , featuring a , , and football game at the Memorial Stadium, supplemented in recent years by ROAR Fest and Giving Days fundraisers. Tiger Lane tailgating precedes home football games, drawing thousands for pregame festivities, and the Up ‘til Dawn event, an overnight fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has raised over $2 million since its inception on campus. New Student Convocation incorporates the tradition of helicopter-dropped "Tiger Tails" souvenirs to symbolize the start of the academic journey.

Controversies and Criticisms

Academic Integrity and NCAA Violations

In 2008, the University of Memphis men's program faced significant NCAA sanctions following an investigation into eligibility violations during the 2007-08 season, which culminated in a appearance. The infractions centered on a fraudulent SAT score submitted by prospective student-athlete , who had previously failed the ACT three times; the NCAA determined Rose was ineligible, leading to the vacating of all 38 wins from that season and the program's postseason participation. The NCAA imposed three years of probation, a postseason ban for the 2009-10 season, and required the university to disassociate from Rose for 10 years, though the committee did not conclusively find that Rose personally engaged in unethical conduct. These penalties stemmed from the program's failure to adequately monitor academic credentials under then-head coach , highlighting lapses in institutional oversight of athlete eligibility. Subsequent NCAA scrutiny included recruiting violations in the men's program from 2019 to 2021, classified as Level infractions, which the university self-reported and resolved through a negotiated settlement without further major penalties beyond monitoring. In 2009, additional minor violations were identified in the women's golf program, involving unethical conduct by the former head coach and impermissible benefits, resulting in a failure-to-monitor finding but no vacated records. More recently, in July 2025, the NCAA imposed two years of probation on the University of Memphis athletic department, a $30,000 fine, and 1% budget reductions for men's basketball and softball programs due to academic integrity violations uncovered in 2024. The infractions involved an academic counselor, Leslie Brooks, who paid two softball players a combined $550 to complete unauthorized coursework on their behalf, with tangential links to men's basketball through a recruit's academic advisor interactions; Brooks was fired in February 2024 and received a 10-year show-cause penalty restricting her future NCAA employment. This case underscored ongoing challenges in ensuring academic honesty among student-athletes, prompting enhanced compliance measures at the institution.

Free Speech Incidents and Administrative Responses

In 2012, the University of Memphis Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee reduced funding for the student newspaper The Daily Helmsman by $25,000—approximately one-third of its budget—following publication of content critical of administrators, prompting claims of . The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression () contacted university president Shirley C. Raines, arguing the decision violated the First Amendment by conditioning public funding on editorial choices. Raines ordered an independent investigation, which concluded the cut was impermissibly influenced by content, leading to full funding restoration on August 31, 2012. On March 20, 2024, a (TPUSA)-hosted speech by at the University Center Theater was disrupted shortly after starting, as protesters shouted, booed, and prevented audibility, forcing Rittenhouse to leave the stage early despite security presence. University officials affirmed their legal obligation under the First Amendment to allow the event but noted the disruption exceeded time, place, and manner restrictions; TPUSA accused staff of colluding with activists by limiting promotion and ticketing. The urged administrators to reschedule, citing failure to protect invited speakers. In February 2025, Tennessee's Campus Free Speech Protection Act facilitated a rescheduled event on February 26, where Rittenhouse addressed a small audience of students and community members on his 2020 trial and Second Amendment issues, with protests occurring outside but no reported indoor disruptions. The university's overall free speech environment drew scrutiny in FIRE's 2025 College Free Speech Rankings, earning an F grade and 128th place out of 257 schools with a score of 57.30, reflecting perceptions of and administrative intolerance for controversial views. A FIRE-commissioned survey found 11% of respondents had been threatened or disciplined for speech, while 60% believed a or would face discipline for offending a group. University guidelines emphasize time, place, and manner restrictions for demonstrations to balance expression with order, though critics argue enforcement favors certain viewpoints.

DEI Policies, State Reforms, and Ideological Debates

In response to Tennessee's Public Chapter 458, the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act," which took effect on May 1, 2025, the University of Memphis announced on August 22, 2025, that it would eliminate its (DEI) programs, including the closure of of Multicultural Affairs. The law prohibits public higher education institutions from maintaining DEI offices or using DEI criteria in decisions related to , admissions, scholarships, or contracts, aiming to refocus resources on core academic missions. Prior to the reform, the university operated various DEI initiatives, such as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee in its school established to address healthcare inequities and foster inclusion, and broader diversity statements in research and strategic plans affirming non-discrimination based on protected characteristics. The changes at Memphis included restructuring or eliminating nonacademic DEI-focused offices, removing DEI references from the university's website and promotional materials, and discontinuing scholarships and support programs tied to DEI criteria, with implementation targeted for effectiveness by May 2025. University President Peter J. Hardin III stated that these steps complied not only with state law but also with federal executive actions under the Trump administration declaring certain DEI practices discriminatory. This followed Tennessee's earlier 2021 Divisive Concepts Act, which barred public institutions from compelling endorsement of specified ideological concepts in trainings—such as race-based guilt or inherent oppressiveness of American institutions—but explicitly preserved voluntary DEI efforts until the 2025 expansion. Ideological tensions at the university have intersected with these reforms, particularly around free speech and campus political imbalance. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) assigned the University of Memphis a failing grade in its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings, citing policies and incidents that restrict expression, amid a student body ratio of approximately 2.74 self-identified liberals to every conservative, which FIRE data suggests contributes to conservative students feeling marginalized. Controversies include disruptions of conservative speakers, such as Kyle Rittenhouse's March 2024 event, where protesters shouting and blocking access led to the speech being cut short after minutes, prompting criticism of administrative inaction on viewpoint neutrality. A planned 2025 return by Rittenhouse drew renewed protests, highlighting ongoing debates over tolerance for dissenting views on topics like Black Lives Matter. State reforms have fueled broader ideological clashes, with critics like former Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland decrying a perceived decline in traditions amid anti-DEI measures, while proponents argue the laws counter ideological in public education. In 2022, Governor Bill Lee's push to end a university program was labeled by opponents, reflecting partisan divides over curriculum content. Tennessee lawmakers in September 2025 debated event cancellations involving after threats against co-founder , underscoring tensions between security concerns and conservative organizing on . These incidents illustrate causal links between shifts and heightened scrutiny of institutional biases, with empirical free speech metrics revealing patterns of uneven enforcement favoring progressive viewpoints.

Economic and Community Impact

Regional Economic Contributions

The University of Memphis generates approximately $1 billion in annual economic impact for the Memphis region and , driven by its operations, payroll, and expenditures as of 2024. This includes nearly $998 million from core activities, encompassing $547 million in direct operating costs and $451 million in wages paid to employees. The institution supports thousands of local jobs through faculty, staff, and related vendor activities, with historical analyses indicating contributions to nearly $500 million in annual wages and salaries across the region. Research expenditures at the university amplify this impact, yielding $205 million in statewide economic output in 2023 alone, with $101 million secured in funding for 2024 following its Carnegie R1 classification. These activities directly generated $100 million in output and supported 382 jobs with $36 million in wages that year, fostering innovation in sectors like , , and through grants and collaborations. The return on exceeds $2 for every $1 spent, enhancing regional productivity via and applied projects. Multiplier effects from university spending further bolster the local , with every dollar in operations recirculating $1.75 through indirect purchases and induced employee consumption, totaling over $236 million in secondary impacts. Initiatives like for Regional Economic Enrichment target environmental and workforce development to sustain growth in the University District, including projects that stimulate jobs—such as 130 positions supported by $53.7 million in building investments—and partnerships with industries in transportation and distribution. These contributions position the as a key driver of Memphis's economic resilience amid regional challenges like and urban revitalization.

Partnerships, Outreach, and Public Engagement

The University of Memphis maintains partnerships with industry, government, and nonprofit entities to support research, innovation, and community development. The , founded in 2003 and sponsored by Corporation, facilitates advanced research and technology transfer through collaborations including data analytics training with and international agreements such as with the National University of Singapore's Institute of Systems and Science announced in June 2024. The Institute for Interdisciplinary Memphis Partnerships to Advance Community Transformation (iIMPACT) operates as a coordinating hub for academic-community collaborations, emphasizing healthy childhood and family development; it evolved from a March 2016 university proposal to integrate education, healthcare, and community place-based initiatives. Outreach efforts include the Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism, which coordinates student volunteer placements with local agencies, courses integrating academic study with , and faculty support through the Engaged Scholarship Network for real-world project mentoring. Public engagement is advanced via the student-led Civic Engagement Board, which organizes initiatives such as after-school tutoring, fundraising for local causes, and awareness campaigns to promote civic responsibility. The School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy contributes through the Strengthening Communities Initiative, which pairs faculty with nonprofit organizations for sustained project implementation, establishing a model for university-community academic partnerships. Additional collaborations encompass the University Schools' partnership with Porter-Leath to operate an Early Childhood Academy in the Orange Mound neighborhood, launched as of August 2025, and the Human Performance Center's ties with the for research and with the U.S. Air Force for training programs. The Corporate and Foundation Relations office cultivates long-term business relationships to address organizational challenges via research sponsorships and student recruitment.

Notable People

Presidents and Key Administrators

The University of Memphis traces its leadership to its founding as the Memphis Teachers College in 1912, with Dr. Seymour A. Mynders serving as its inaugural president from 1912 to 1913, overseeing the institution's opening on September 10, 1912. John W. Brister followed as president for two terms from 1913 to 1923, during which the campus expanded and Brister Hall was constructed in his honor in 1928. J. Millard "Jack" Smith assumed the presidency in 1946 as the first alumnus to lead the institution, then known as Memphis State College, guiding it through post-World War II growth. Cecil C. Humphreys served as president of Memphis State University starting in the early , directing major campus expansions including the University Center and a 12-story library; he resigned in 1972 to become the first chancellor of the State University and Community College System of . Subsequent leaders included R. Lane Rawlins, who focused on research initiatives, and M. David Rudd, who advanced strategic enrollment and academic programs from 2016 to 2021. Bill Hardgrave became the 13th president on April 1, 2022, emphasizing student success and innovation after serving as provost. Key administrators have included figures like the current Chief of Staff Stephanie Beasley and Senior Vice President Dr. Ed Scott, supporting operational and strategic functions under the president's office.

Notable Faculty and Researchers

Béla Bollobás has served as Professor and Chair of Excellence in Combinatorics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences since 2008. A Hungarian-British mathematician specializing in extremal graph theory, random graphs, and percolation theory, Bollobás has published over 400 papers and authored influential texts such as Modern Graph Theory. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1979, he holds visiting positions at institutions including Trinity College, Cambridge, and has received awards including the Wolf Prize in Mathematics in 2011 for his combinatorial optimization contributions. Irena Lasiecka is Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Department of , appointed in 2013. Her research centers on of partial differential equations, structural acoustic control, and evolution equations, with applications to problems. A fellow of the (2013), Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (2009), American Association for the Advancement of Science (2016), IEEE (2018), and IFIP, Lasiecka received the University of Memphis Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award in 2020 and has been recognized as a highly cited researcher. Stan Franklin (1939–2023) was Professor Emeritus of and the W. Harry Feinstone Interdisciplinary Research Professor. He co-directed the Institute for and developed pioneering cognitive architectures, including the IDA (Intelligent Distribution Agent) model for software agents exhibiting human-like cognition without symbolic reasoning. Franklin's work on autonomous agents and in machines garnered over 15,000 citations, influencing fields like . Dipankar , Professor of and Director of the Center for , was elected a of the National Academy of Inventors in 2022. His research applies artificial immune systems to cybersecurity, anomaly detection, and negative selection algorithms, leading to patents and contributions in bio-inspired . Dasgupta holds the William Hill Professorship in Cybersecurity and has been recognized for advancing adaptive immune-inspired intrusion detection systems.

Prominent Alumni

In politics, Fred Dalton Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and political science from Memphis State University in 1964 before pursuing law at Vanderbilt. He served as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1994 to 2003, focusing on national security and intelligence matters, and later ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Thompson also gained prominence as an actor, notably portraying himself in the film The Hunt for Red October and district attorney Arthur Branch on Law & Order. Steve Cohen received his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1973 after earlier undergraduate studies. As the U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 9th congressional district since 2007, Cohen has emphasized civil rights, education funding, and criminal justice reform. Athletes represent a significant portion of prominent alumni, particularly in basketball and football. Derrick Rose played one season for the Memphis Tigers in 2007–08, averaging 22.0 points and 4.7 assists per game while leading the team to the NCAA Championship game. Selected first overall in the by the , he became the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011. Stephen Gostkowski set University of Memphis records as a kicker, scoring 369 career points including 70 field goals from 2002 to 2005, and earned a BSEd in exercise and in 2006. Drafted by the in 2006, he won three Super Bowls and holds franchise records for points scored. Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway graduated in 2003 after leading the Tigers in basketball; he enjoyed a 14-year NBA career and later coached at Memphis. In entertainment and arts, graduated with a degree in English from the University in 1963 and starred as Julia Sugarbaker on the sitcom from 1986 to 1993, earning an Emmy nomination. studied English and creative writing at the University before leaving to pursue music, completing his degree in 2023; he has won six for albums like Southeastern (2013) as a solo artist after fronting the . Mulgrew Miller, a pianist, attended the University and influenced modern through collaborations and leadership of his own . Military and science alumni include Spurgeon H. Neel Jr., who completed pre-medical studies at Memphis State in 1939 before earning his MD elsewhere; as a U.S. , he pioneered during the , authoring key doctrines on battlefield casualty care. Stan Franklin, a cognitive scientist, developed the IDA agent and advanced models of consciousness during his tenure as a professor, though primarily noted for research contributions. In business and law, recipients of the Distinguished Award include R. Brad Martin (BA 1976), former CEO of Saks Incorporated, and federal judge Bernice Bouie Donald (BA 1974, JD 1979), the first African American woman on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

References

  1. https://www.memphis.edu/about/facts.php
  2. https://catalog.memphis.edu/content.php?catoid=30&navoid=1750
  3. https://www.memphis.edu/research/impact/
  4. https://www.memphis.edu/
  5. https://www.memphis.edu/about/umhistory.php
  6. https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/university-of-memphis/
  7. https://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/c20/interior.aspx?pgid=554&gid=2
  8. https://historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/normal-school/normal-school.html
  9. https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-ua-alumni1/
  10. https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-commercialappeal1/42/
  11. https://www.memphis.edu/uofmmagazine/publications/2020/spring2020/memphisstate8.php
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/1959/09/19/archives/integration-calm-at-memphis-state-university-admits-8-negroes-in.html
  13. https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2063&context=etd
  14. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/tables/dt17_312.20.asp
  15. https://alumni.memphis.edu/?sid=1728&gid=2&pgid=252&cid=3561&ecid=3561&crid=0&calpgid=2050&calcid=4069
  16. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2025/09/10/university-of-memphis-enrollment/86073392007/
  17. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2021/12/16/u-memphis-scored-top-carnegie-research-classification-r-1-heres-what-means/8826937002/
  18. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGoQU73PELJ/
  19. https://www.memphis.edu/fedex/
  20. https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2024/june/uofm-investment-to-enhance-further-enhance-technologly-innovation-ecosystem.php
  21. https://www.memphis.edu/uofmmagazine/publications/2022/winter22/progress.php
  22. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/06/27/fred-smith-fedex-university-of-memphis-impact/84320479007/
  23. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-memphis-3509
  24. https://catalog.memphis.edu/content.php?catoid=26&navoid=1459
  25. https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/pdfs/self_guided_tour.pdf
  26. https://www.memphis.edu/conferences/facilities/index.php
  27. https://www.memphis.edu/masterplan/pdf/2015-1001_appendix_um_masterplan_final_report.pdf
  28. https://www.memphis.edu/uc/building/features-dining.php
  29. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/reshalls/
  30. https://map.memphis.edu/
  31. https://libguides.memphis.edu/c.php?g=1155948&p=8489771
  32. https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-lam-oralhistory-transition-narratives/
  33. https://www.memphis.edu/lambuth/
  34. https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/experience/campuses.php
  35. https://www.memphis.edu/lambuth/admissions/about.php
  36. https://www.memphis.edu/conferences/facilities/lambuthcampus.php
  37. https://www.memphis.edu/uofmglobal/
  38. https://www.memphis.edu/bot/presidential-search/position_profile.pdf
  39. https://www.memphis.edu/pp/index.php
  40. https://www.memphis.edu/pp/ops.php
  41. https://preview.memphis.edu/_migration/2025-10-17/fedex/newsroom/index.php
  42. https://a2h.com/project/edwards-research-innovation-center/
  43. https://www.memphis.edu/cpd/
  44. https://www.memphis.edu/cpd/maps.php
  45. https://www.memphis.edu/bluegoesgreen/sustainabilityplan.php
  46. https://www.memphis.edu/bluegoesgreen/plangoal.php
  47. https://www.memphis.edu/bluegoesgreen/initiatives.php
  48. https://www.memphis.edu/bluegoesgreen/
  49. https://www.memphis.edu/bluegoesgreen/greenfee.php
  50. https://www.memphis.edu/research/impact/press/index.php
  51. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2025/08/21/university-of-memphis-2025-academic-year/85643902007/
  52. https://issuu.com/univofmemphis/docs/the_university_of_memphis_economic_impact_and_bene
  53. https://www.memphis.edu/fcbe/about/strategicplan.php
  54. https://www.memphis.edu/publichealth/news/2025/0820-sph-member-hdin.php
  55. https://www.memphis.edu/bot/about/index.php
  56. https://www.memphis.edu/president/governance/index.php
  57. https://www.memphis.edu/bot/resources/bylaws.php
  58. https://www.memphis.edu/faculty_handbook/section_1/1_6.php
  59. https://www.memphis.edu/president/governance/presidents-council.php
  60. https://www.pbs.org/video/behind-headlines-university-memphis-president-dr-m-david-rudd/
  61. https://www.memphis.edu/president/about/index.php
  62. https://www.memphis.edu/president/governance/keyadministrators.php
  63. https://www.memphis.edu/hr/orgcharts.php
  64. https://www.memphis.edu/aa/directory/index.php
  65. https://umwa.memphis.edu/orgchart/
  66. https://www.memphis.edu/its/about/its-org-chart.pdf
  67. https://www.memphis.edu/academics/colleges-schools.php
  68. https://www.memphis.edu/research/
  69. https://www.memphis.edu/bot/resources/notices.php
  70. https://www.memphis.edu/budget/pdf/fy25july.pdf
  71. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/06/04/university-of-memphis-increasing-tuition/84030457007/
  72. https://www.uofmfoundation.org/press-release
  73. https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1202&context=govpubs-tn-comptroller-financial-compliance-audit-reports
  74. https://www.memphis.edu/strategic-plan/goals/initiative-7.php
  75. https://www.memphis.edu/bf/pdf/fy23_sri_budget_overview_for_college_presentations.pdf
  76. https://mlk50.com/2025/07/22/were-operating-in-perpetual-fear-memphis-colleges-face-increased-struggle-amid-federal-cuts/
  77. https://sotnews.agency/?p=92090
  78. https://www.memphis.edu/development/waystogive/colleges-schools.php
  79. https://www.memphis.edu/cas/
  80. https://www.memphis.edu/fcbe/index.php
  81. https://www.memphis.edu/ccfa/index.php
  82. https://www.memphis.edu/education/index.php
  83. https://www.memphis.edu/herff/index.php
  84. https://www.memphis.edu/nursing/index.php
  85. https://www.memphis.edu/healthsciences/index.php
  86. https://www.memphis.edu/cpls/index.php
  87. https://www.memphis.edu/law/index.php
  88. https://www.memphis.edu/publichealth/
  89. https://www.memphis.edu/csd/index.php
  90. https://www.memphis.edu/wilson/index.php
  91. https://www.memphis.edu/honors/index.php
  92. https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/
  93. https://www.memphis.edu/academics/ugmajors.php
  94. https://catalog.memphis.edu/content.php?catoid=26&navoid=1456
  95. https://www.memphis.edu/uofmglobal/degrees/undergraduate/undergrad-programs.php
  96. https://www.memphis.edu/president/strategic-plan/dashboard.php
  97. https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/programs/masters.php
  98. https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/programs/doctoral.php
  99. https://www.uthsc.edu/graduate-health-sciences/programs/
  100. https://datausa.io/profile/university/university-of-memphis
  101. https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2024/september/uofm-faculty-cross-100-million-in-research-awards.php
  102. https://www.memphis.edu/research/facilities/centers_institutes.php
  103. https://www.memphis.edu/fedex/research/index.php
  104. https://www.memphis.edu/research/facilities/core.php
  105. https://www.memphis.edu/cas/faculty-resources/research_grants_funding/research-grants.php
  106. https://www.umrfoundation.org/
  107. https://www.memphis.edu/accolades/2022/research/grants-funding.php
  108. https://www.memphis.edu/crep/research/current_projects.php
  109. https://www.memphis.edu/faculty_handbook/section_1/1_4.php
  110. https://catalog.memphis.edu/content.php?catoid=30&navoid=1792
  111. https://sacscoc.org/institutions/accreditation-actions-and-disclosures/june-2025-accreditation-actions-and-public-disclosure-statements/
  112. https://sacscoc.org/institutions/accreditation-actions-and-disclosures/december-2024-accreditation-actions-and-public-disclosure-statements/
  113. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-memphis-3509/overall-rankings
  114. https://www.memphis.edu/publichealth/news/2025/0408-sph-ranks99-report2025.php
  115. https://www.memphis.edu/education/about/rankings.php
  116. https://yocket.com/universities/university-of-memphis-2624/rankings
  117. https://unischolars.com/universities/usa/university-of-memphis/ranking
  118. https://www.memphis.edu/research/impact/newsletter_2022/uomr1.php
  119. https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2021/december/carnegieresearch.php
  120. https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2023/may/topuniversityrankings.php
  121. https://edurank.org/uni/university-of-memphis/rankings/
  122. https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2024/september/uofm-ranks-highest-in-state-in-two-ranking-lists.php
  123. https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/basics/requirements.php
  124. https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/basics/test_flexible_2022.php
  125. https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/basics/int-requirements_xxx.php
  126. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-memphis-3509/applying
  127. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-memphis/admissions
  128. https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/University-of-Memphis-sat-scores-GPA
  129. https://www.facebook.com/uofmemphis/posts/the-university-of-memphis-freshman-class-grew-by-43-and-represents-the-strongest/1233286872175289/
  130. https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-memphis-lambuth/admissions/
  131. https://www.memphis.edu/oir/data/public_enrollment_trends.php
  132. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2024/06/07/university-of-memphis-enrollment-drop/73988816007/
  133. https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/09/10/uofm-freshman-class-enrollment-rises/
  134. https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/uofm-freshman-enrollment-in-fall-2025/522-8abe0e8e-0ab8-41bb-8f7d-7f19ae05437a
  135. https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/trends/university-of-memphis/student-population/
  136. https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/220862/university-of-memphis/enrollment/
  137. https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-memphis/student-life/diversity/
  138. https://www.memphis.edu/oir/data/public_student_demographics.php
  139. https://www.collegedata.com/college-search/University-of-Memphis/students
  140. https://research.com/best-colleges/university-of-memphis/tuition-fees
  141. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/reshalls/rawls.php
  142. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/reshalls/south.php
  143. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/reshalls/llc.php
  144. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/reshalls/carpenter.php
  145. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/housing101/housingrates.php
  146. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/reshalls/parkave.php
  147. https://www.memphis.edu/campuscard/dining-locations.php
  148. https://www.memphis.edu/campuscard/tigereats/
  149. https://www.memphis.edu/campuscard/mealplan.php
  150. https://www.memphis.edu/drs/future/dineaccommodate.php
  151. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-memphis-3509/student-life
  152. https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-memphis/campus-life/
  153. https://www.memphis.edu/reslife/
  154. https://www.memphis.edu/adultstudents/programs/organizations.php
  155. https://www.memphis.edu/umparents/resources/hub_studentinvolvement.php
  156. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/start.php
  157. https://www.memphis.edu/fcbe/resources/student_organizations.php
  158. https://www.memphis.edu/honors/getinvolved/studentorg.php
  159. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/fsa-about.php
  160. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/fsa-parents.php
  161. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/fsa-pan-chapters.php
  162. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/fsa-recruitment.php
  163. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/fsa-resources.php
  164. https://www.memphis.edu/music/ensembles/university-singers.php
  165. https://www.memphis.edu/music/ensembles/percussion_group.php
  166. https://www.memphis.edu/music/ensembles/band.php
  167. https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/experience/campus_life.php
  168. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/sac-about.php
  169. https://www.memphis.edu/campusrec/sports/
  170. https://www.imleagues.com/memphis
  171. https://www.memphis.edu/service/index.php
  172. https://www.memphis.edu/studentinvolvement/studentengagement/religious-life/religiouslife.php
  173. https://www.memphis.edu/pkp/index.php
  174. https://www.memphis.edu/athletics/
  175. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/memphis/
  176. https://gotigersgo.com/sports/2015/6/25/MBB_0625150024
  177. https://theamerican.org/news/2025/3/17/memphis-wins-second-american-mens-basketball-championship.aspx
  178. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/memphis/index.html
  179. https://www.memphis.edu/uofmmagazine/current_issue/undefeated.php
  180. https://gotigersgo.com/news/2025/7/10/football-american-athletic-conference-announces-2025-kickoff-lineup
  181. https://gotigersgo.com/news/2024/11/20/general-six-programs-record-perfect-graduation-success-rates-memphis-athletics-excels-in-latest-ncaa-gsr-release
  182. https://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/images/gid2/editor_documents/uofmtraditionsbook.pdf
  183. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=5018281
  184. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4412279
  185. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2009/05/ncaa_blows_whistle_on_univ_of.html
  186. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2022/12/15/media-center-memphis-mens-basketball-committed-recruiting-violations.aspx
  187. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/45756730/ncaa-disciplines-memphis-athletics-following-schoolwork-probe
  188. https://www.reuters.com/sports/ncaa-places-memphis-basketball-softball-probation-2025-07-17/
  189. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2025/07/16/memphis-basketball-ncaa-violations-malcolm-dandridge-softball-penny-hardaway/74402429007/
  190. https://sports.yahoo.com/college-sports/article/memphis-receives-2-year-probation-fine-from-ncaa-due-to-academic-integrity-violations-164828151.html
  191. https://dailymemphian.com/article/53197/memphis-tigers-basketball-ncaa-academic-scandal-settlement-buckley
  192. https://www.thefire.org/cases/university-memphis-student-newspaper-budget-cut-over-content
  193. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/red-alert-politics/2216019/university-of-memphis-student-fee-board-only-funds-speech-it-likes/
  194. https://splc.org/2012/08/u-of-memphis-president-orders-investigation-into-helmsmans-budget-cut/
  195. https://www.actionnews5.com/story/19432945/funding-restored-to-the-daily-helmsman/
  196. https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/03/21/rittenhouses-visit-university-memphis-cut-short-by-students-protestors/
  197. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/21/kyle-rittenhouse-speech-memphis-university-protests
  198. https://tpusa.com/live/university-of-memphis-undermines-tpusa-chapter-event-with-kyle-rittenhouse/
  199. https://adflegal.org/press-release/adf-urges-univ-memphis-officials-provide-second-chance-tpusa-event-canceled-mob/
  200. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/18/how-tennessee-helps-ensure-rittenhouse-speech-memphis/77926728007/
  201. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/26/kyle-rittenhouse-univeristy-of-memphis-speech/79333559007/
  202. https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2025/03/rittenhouse-speaks-to-small-crowd-in-return-to-university-of-memphis
  203. https://www.thefire.org/colleges/university-memphis/free-speech-rankings
  204. https://rankings.thefire.org/campus/220862-the-university-of-memphis
  205. https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2025/09/university-of-memphis-gets-failing-grade-on-free-speech
  206. https://www.memphis.edu/deanofstudents/freespeech/index.php
  207. https://www.fox13memphis.com/education/u-of-m-announces-end-of-dei-programs-shutters-multicultural-affairs-office/article_8cb81dca-1b25-4bd0-905f-f09610bf904c.html
  208. https://www.campusreform.org/article/university-memphis-shutters-dei-offices-following-state-law/28528
  209. https://wreg.com/news/local/uofm-shuts-multicultural-office-amid-dei-restrictions/
  210. https://www.memphis.edu/nursing/diversity/dei-committee.php
  211. https://www.memphis.edu/research/strategicplan/diversity_inclusion.php
  212. https://www.dailyhelmsman.com/article/2025/08/university-of-memphis-announces-closure-of-multicultural-affairs-office
  213. https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2025/08/22/university-of-memphis-ceases-dei-tennessee-law.html
  214. https://www.memphis.edu/aa/resources/divisiveconcepts.php
  215. https://wreg.com/news/local/kyle-rittenhouse-event-at-uofm-stirs-up-controversy-on-campus/
  216. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2025/01/23/kyle-rittenhouse-shoot-wisconsin-memphis-visit/77907289007/
  217. https://www.psrmemphis.org/uofms-proud-legacy-of-student-activism-takes-a-downturn/
  218. https://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2022/01/governor-lee-leads-cancel-culture-attack-on-university-of-memphis/
  219. https://fox17.com/news/local/tennessee-lawmakers-clash-over-turning-point-usa-event-cancellations-charlie-kirk-assassination-university-of-memphis-senator-london-lamar-representative-william-lamberth-cameron-sexton-political-violence
  220. https://www.thefire.org/news/university-memphis-professor-confuses-vandalism-free-speech
  221. https://wearememphis.com/news/university-of-memphis-drives-1-billion-economic-impact-in-2024/
  222. https://www.memphis.edu/president/communications/economic-impact.php
  223. https://www.memphis.edu/cfr/news/economicimpact.php
  224. https://www.memphis.edu/research/impact/newsletter_2025/october25_stories/powering_progress_in_tennessee_through_research_at_the_university_of_memphis.php
  225. https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2025/10/06/regional-impact-of-u-of-m-research-tennessee.html
  226. https://www.memphis.edu/cree/
  227. https://www.memphis.edu/fedex/about.php
  228. https://www.memphis.edu/fedex/training/sas/
  229. https://m.facebook.com/uofmemphis/photos/the-fedex-institute-of-technology-at-the-university-of-memphis-and-nus-iss-at-th/886337523536894/
  230. https://www.memphis.edu/iimpact/
  231. https://www.memphis.edu/iimpact/about/history.php
  232. https://www.memphis.edu/service/about/index.php
  233. https://www.memphis.edu/service/service_programs/civicengagementboard.php
  234. https://www.memphis.edu/suapp/old-suapp-site/strengthening-communities/index.php
  235. https://www.memphis.edu/universityschools/partnerships/index.php
  236. https://www.memphis.edu/hpcenter/partnerships/index.php
  237. https://www.memphis.edu/cfr/partnerships/
  238. https://www.tbr.edu/50th-anniversary-history-project
  239. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-hardgrave-7561a821
  240. https://www.memphis.edu/msci/people/bollobas.php
  241. https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Bollobas/
  242. https://www.memphis.edu/msci/people/lasiecka.php
  243. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vVXOLGIAAAAJ&hl=en
  244. https://www.memphis.edu/research/impact/newsletter_2022/march_stories/highlycitedfacultymarch.php
  245. https://www.memphis.edu/research/impact/newsletter_2023/february_stories/research_stanfranklin.php
  246. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eyfCX9cAAAAJ&hl=en
  247. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2023/01/26/stan-franklin-obit-dies-memphis-artificial-intelligence-institute-for-intelligent-systems/69843866007/
  248. https://www.memphis.edu/cs/about/accolades_faculty.php
  249. https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/inno/stories/news/2022/12/29/u-of-m-faculty-member-dasgupta-nai-fellow.html
  250. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Thompson
  251. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/us/politics/fred-thompson-former-senator-actor-and-presidential-candidate-dies-at-73.html
  252. https://www.memphis.edu/uofmmagazine/publications/2024/steve-cohen.php
  253. https://gotigersgo.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derrick-rose/3110
  254. https://gotigersgo.com/sports/football/roster/stephen-gostkowski/2613
  255. https://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/c20/interior.aspx?pgid=1817&gid=2
  256. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/09/21/jason-isbell-university-of-memphis-degree-alum/70914460007/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.