The Rock Live Cam

An iconic UT landmark for more than 50 years



History

The University of Tennessee (UT) is a public research university located in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1794 as Blount College and became the state's flagship institution in 1879.

In the early years, Blount College struggled financially and was eventually taken over by the state government, which renamed it East Tennessee College in 1807. The college continued to face financial difficulties, and in 1840 it was briefly closed due to a lack of funding.

After the Civil War, the college was reestablished and renamed the University of Tennessee in 1879. The university expanded rapidly in the early 20th century, with the construction of several new buildings and the establishment of new academic programs.

During World War II, UT played a significant role in the war effort, conducting research in areas such as radar technology and developing new weapons systems. After the war, the university continued to grow and expand, adding new academic programs and facilities.