Founder's Day celebrates 123 years of education

This week UTC celebrated its 123rd birthday with Founder's day festivities from free pizza and birthday cake to a "design your own logo" T-shirt station.The Student Alumni Council along with the Office for the Chancellor organized the birthday events this year which included a convocation with speaker Dr. Rita Geier, who presented "No Minds to Waste: Meeting the Challenge of Access to Higher Education."

Later that evening, Majora Carter, an activist and environmental leader, spoke as part of the 2009 George T. Hunter lecture series.

"UTC has a rich tradition of success in exceptional students and faculty," Fran Bender, the assistant provost for student retention and success said.

Bender said students need to be aware of those who have gone before them.

"Students take for granted all the things around them on campus and don't realize it took a lot of faculty and students before them to make this all happen," Bender said.

Shante Agnew, Memphis senior and SAC member, said one of the events to celebrate Founder's Day allowed students to look at old yearbooks.

The university stopped putting together yearbooks in the 1990s.

"These events allow students to connect with alumni to make sure they come back," Agnew said.

Joey Jeston, a Soddy Daisy, Tenn., freshman, said he thinks the birthday celebration was a great idea.

"It's a huge school and should be celebrated," Jeston said.

Lacey Wright, a freshman from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., said, "People wouldn't pay attention if we didn't have these celebrations."

Soddy Daisy, Tenn., freshman Rebecca Johnson said, "It's kind of cool that this school is 123 years old.