TU’s Timeline

1784
Martin's Academy

Samuel Doak establishes Martin’s Academy (renamed Washington College in 1795).

1794
Greeneville College

Hezekiah Balch charters Greeneville College which will become Tusculum University!

1808
FIRST Degree

Hugh Brown receives the first degree from Tusculum’s predecessor, Greeneville College.

1818
Tusculum Academy

Samuel Witherspoon Doak (son of Samuel Doak) founds Tusculum Academy, along with his father.

1830
The Doak House

Samuel Witherspoon Doak builds his 2-story, brick home (currently the Doak House Museum) on land next to Frank Creek, just outside of Greeneville.

1835
Major Growth

A two-room log building is built near the Doak House on Frank Creek to house the growing Tusculum Academy.

1841
FIRST Academic Building on Campus

“Old College” is built due to growth of student enrollment. It is the oldest “academic” building on the college campus.

1844
Tusculum College

Tusculum Academy becomes Tusculum College.

1868
G&T

Greeneville College and Tusculum College merge into Greeneville & Tusculum College (G&T).

1875
FIRST Woman Student

Greeneville & Tusculum College admits women for the first time.

1878
FIRST Tusculum College Newspaper

First student newspaper, “The Record”, began by student editor/printer Landon C. Haynes. Later it became known as “The Pioneer”.

1887
McCormick Hall

McCormick Hall is built using funds donated by Nettie Fowler McCormick, widow of Cyrus McCormick.

1891
Craig Hall

Craig Hall is built. Named for Rev. William G. Craig, Nettie McCormick’s pastor, and friend of the college.

1900
FIRST Sport at Tusculum

Baseball becomes the first sport to field a recognizable team for the Pioneers.

1901
Virginia Hall

Virginia Hall is built. Designed by renowned architect Louis Sullivan, family associate of the McCormick’s, it was the college’s first modern building including baths and furnace heat. It was named in honor of the McCormick’s daughter, Mary Virginia.

1902
FIRST Women's Sport at Tusculum

First women’s sports team is formed for tennis.

1903
Intercollegiate Sports

Intercollegiate play begins.

1903
Football

Football team forms.

1906
Basketball

Basketball team forms.

1908
W&T

A merger with Washington College produces Washington & Tusculum College (W&T).

1909
President's House

The President’s House is built across the road from the main Tusculum campus.

1910
Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall (Garland Library) is built with funds from steel-tycoon Andrew Carnegie, to house the library and gymnasium (with a 2nd floor running track).

1912
Back to Tusculum College

Washington & Tusculum merger dissolved leaving the current Tusculum College.

1912
Coaches

Professional coaches join the TC staff for the first time.

1913
Nettie Day

McCormick Day is established. Now known as Nettie Day, a day of service on campus and around the community.

1914
Haynes Hall

Haynes Hall is built with funds from Nettie McCormick. It was named in honor of Landon C. Haynes, Tusculum faculty member for 65 years.

1917
The Tusculum Arch

The Arch is built at the traditional entrance to campus which is directly out from the entrance to McCormick Hall.

1917
FIRST Yearbook

First yearbook published and known over the years as the “Tusculana” and the “Opus”.

1920
FIRST Women's Basketball Team

First women’s basketball team appeared.

1923
Gordon Hall

Gordon Hall is built. This is the last building to be built on campus using funds donated by Nettie McCormick, who died later that same year. It is named for another McCormick family member.

1924
FIRST Year Accredited

The first year Tusculum is formally accredited by SACS: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As a result, Tusculum’s Preparatory Department, which operated as a local high school, is closed to meet SACS standards.

1925
SMAA

The college becomes a member of the Smoky Mountain Athletic Association, securing the future of intercollegiate athletics at Tusculum.

1926
Gymnasium

The Gymnasium is built containing a basement pool, indoor basketball course, and offices.

1928
Rankin Hall

Cyrus McCormick II donates a final family gift of $15,000 to the college and asks that Gordon Hall be renamed. It is rededicated Rankin Hall in honor of senior professor Thomas S. Rankin.

1928 - 1930
Science Building

The Science Building is built using the last of the money donated by the McCormick family. This is the only Tusculum building to be used continually for the same purpose.

1930
Carnegie Library

Carnegie Hall is renamed Carnegie Library as it is now solely used for library functions since the new gymnasium was built.

1930's
Intramural

Intramural program is begun. The Lady Pioneer’s softball team first appears as a part of this program.

1950's
Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival begins honoring graduating seniors and rising seniors.

1962
Katherine Hall

Katherine Hall (Dormitory) is built.

1965
Annie Hogan Byrd

Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center and Chapel is built.

1966
FIRST Soccer Team

Soccer first appears at Tusculum College.

1969
COG

The Charles Oliver Gray Complex (COG) is built. Containing three modern, air-conditioned dormitories and a classroom building.

1970
Simerly Union Building

The Simerly Union Building is built and connected to the gymnasium by the post office. It contained such places as the bookstore, cafeteria, Student Lounge, and other rooms and offices.

1971
Shulman Center

The Herbert L. Shulman Human Resources Center is built.

1984
TALL

The Professional Studies Program is born. Originally known as Tusculum Adult Leaders Learning (TALL), it is now known as Adult & Online Studies.

1989
Tredway

The Science Building becomes the Tredway Science Building in honor of William L. Tredway, alumnus and benefactor of the college.

1991
Civic Arts

The Civic Arts Core program is begun.

1991
Block Calendar

The Block Calendar is adopted: one 3½ hour course at a time lasting 3½ weeks, 4 courses a semester with block breaks in between.

1991
Tate Library

The Carnegie Library is rededicated in honor of Albert Columbus Tate, valedictorian of the 1894 Centennial class, becoming Tate Library.

1992
Nichols Tennis Complex

Roger M. Nichols Tennis Complex built.

1992 - 1993
President Andrew Johnson Museum

“Old College” is restored to its original appearance and becomes the Pres. Andrew Johnson Museum and Library with help from Tusculum alumnus and great-granddaughter of Andrew Johnson, Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett. It also houses the College Archives and the original college library-The Coffin Collection-from Greeneville College. Today, it is also home to the Museum Studies Program.

1994
Bicentennial

Tusculum celebrates its bicentennial.

1998
Welty-Craig Hall

Craig Hall is renamed Welty-Craig in honor of Stanley R. Welty, a Board of Trustees Chairman and benefactor of the college.

1998
Pioneer Arena

Pioneer Arena is built, replacing the former gymnasium.

1999
Niswonger Commons

Niswonger Commons is built, replacing the Simerly Union Building, and includes the post office, cafeteria, bookstore, student coffee lounge, student radio station, offices, and classrooms.

2000
Indoor Practice Facility (IPF)

New indoor sports complex is built, housing such sports as soccer.

2002
New Dorms

Four new apartment-style dorms built behind “Old College” with two additional apartment buildings built in 2013.

2005
Growing the Library

Renovation and expansion of Tusculum Library.

2005
Pioneer Park

Niswonger Sports Complex/Pioneer Park Opens.

2008
Thomas J. Garland Library

Library dedicated and renamed the Thomas J. Garland Library.

2009
FIRST Woman President

Tusculum hires first woman President, Dr. Nancy Moody.

2013
More New Dorms

Two new apartment-style dorms built behind “Old College”.

2018
Tusculum University

On July 1, 2018, Tusculum transitioned to University status.