University of Tennessee in Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Desegregation of the University of Tennessee

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 30, 2018

1. Desegregation of the University of Tennessee Marker

Inscription.
During a federal lawsuit in 1952, the University of Tennessee opened enrollment in the graduate and law programs of the institution to African Americans. Gene Mitchell Gray enrolled in graduate school, and Lincoln Blakeney enrolled in the College of Law. Facing a legal challenge from African American applicant Theotis Robinson, Jr. to segregation in undergraduate programs, the Board of Trustees opened enrollment in all programs of the university to all races on November 18, 1960. African Americans Charles Edgar Blair, Willie Mae Gillespie, and Theotis Robinson, Jr. enrolled as undergraduates on January 4, 1961.

Erected 2012 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1E 117.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 4, 1961.

Location. 35° 57.428′ N, 83° 55.598′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is in University of Tennessee. It is on Circle Drive 0.1 miles south of Cumberland Avenue (U.S. 70), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1404 Circle Drive, Knoxville TN 37916, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Land Grant University (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wait Field (about 500 feet away); Fort Byington (about 600 feet away); James Rufus Agee (about 600 feet away); General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (about 700 feet away); Carl Sublett (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Sanders (approx. 0.2 miles away); 79th New York Infantry (Highlanders) Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Also see . . . UTK Celebrates 50 Years of Undergraduate Desegregation. (Submitted on June 6, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 30, 2018

2. Desegregation of the University of Tennessee Marker

View looking south along Circle Drive. The Hesler Biology Building is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,110 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.