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University of Tennessee Southern

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Coordinates: 35°12′01″N 87°02′11″W / 35.2002°N 87.0364°W / 35.2002; -87.0364
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University of Tennessee Southern
Former name
Martin Female College (1870–1908)
Martin College (1908–1986)
Martin Methodist College (1986–2021)
MottoCognito, Opportunitas, Veritas
Motto in English
Knowledge, Opportunity, Truth
TypePublic university
Established1870
Parent institution
University of Tennessee System
Endowment$9.28 million
ChancellorLinda C. Martin
Academic staff
57
Students1,046
Location
Pulaski, Tennessee
,
U.S.

35°12′01″N 87°02′11″W / 35.2002°N 87.0364°W / 35.2002; -87.0364
CampusRural, 55 acres (22 ha)
Colors   
Gray & Orange
NicknameFirehawks
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – SSAC
MascotFlame the Firehawk
Websitewww.utsouthern.edu

The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern or UTS) is a public university in Pulaski, Tennessee. Founded in 1870, it was a private institution for over 150 years until joining the University of Tennessee System in 2021.[1][2] It was renamed and became the first new primary campus in the University of Tennessee System in over 50 years. The name University of Tennessee Southern was chosen because the campus serves the 13 counties of southern Middle Tennessee.[2]

History

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UT Southern was originally founded as Martin Methodist College in 1870. The college was named for Thomas Martin (1799–1870), former mayor of Pulaski, who left in his will an endowment of $30,000 to establish a college for the education of the white girls and women of Giles County.[3][4][5] It is sometimes suggested that Martin did so in fulfilment of a promise to his daughter Victoria, who died at the age of twenty.[5][6] In 1938, the college became coeducational.[4] Originally founded as a whites-only institution, in 1966 it became racially integrated.[6] The college was originally named Martin Female College until 1908, when its name was changed to Martin College. Then, in April 1986, it became Martin Methodist College after becoming a private institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church.[4] In July 2021, the campus was purchased by the University of Tennessee System and was converted to a public four-year institution.[1]

Grissom Colonial Hall, May 2014

Athletics

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The UT Southern athletic teams are called the Firehawks (previously they were known as the RedHawks before the UT system merger). The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) on its second stint since the 2023–24 academic year. The Firehawks had previously competed as members of the SSAC on its first tenure from 2013–14 to 2019–20, until briefly joining the Mid-South Conference (MSC) from 2020–21 to 2022–23.[7] They also competed in the (now defunct) TranSouth Athletic Conference (TSAC) from 1996–97 to 2012–13, and in the Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference (TCAC) from 1986–87 to 1995–96.

UT Southern competes in 19 intercollegiate varsity teams:[8] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Competitive cheerleading and competitive clay target shooting are offered as a co-ed sports. Former sports included men's and women's bowling

Accomplishments

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Athletic teams at UT Southern have won 12[9] national championships:

  • Men's Soccer – NAIA National Champions (2013)
  • Women's Soccer – Three-time NAIA National Champions (2005, 2007, 2021).
  • Competitive Cheer – NAIA National Invitational Tournament Champions (2016)
  • Clay Target Team – SCTP Champions (2016-2020) and ACUI Champions (2021, 2022)

Notable Alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Board of Trustees Votes to Acquire Martin Methodist College". UT System News. June 25, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "University Of Tennessee Establishes New Campus: UT Southern". radio NWTN. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Rose, Laura Martin (1914). The Ku Klux Klan or Invisible empire. New Orleans, La.: L. Graham Co., Ltd. p. 21.
  4. ^ a b c "About". Martin Methodist College. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Rose, Laura Martin (1917). "Mr Thomas Martin: Founder of Martin College, Pulaski, Tenn.". The Martin Box. Vol. 7. Phi Kappa, Philosophian and Sigma Rho Literary Societies of Martin College, Pulaski, Tennessee. pp. 17–18.
  6. ^ a b Medina, Daniella. "UT System and Martin Methodist College: History, timeline of events leading up to vote". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Willis, Tee. "Blazing a path: UT Southern unveils new mascot, branding as it joins UT System". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  8. ^ "The University of Tennessee Southern - Official Athletics Website". The University of Tennessee Southern. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Quick Facts". The University of Tennessee Southern. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
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