Sewanee: The University of the South

The University of the South


Motto	Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum. (Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.)^[1]
Established	1857
Type	Private
Endowment	US$253 million
Undergraduates	1,383
Postgraduates	177
Location	Sewanee, Tenn., USA
Campus	Southern Rural, 10,000 acres (40 km²)
Website	www.sewanee.edu

The University of the South is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is owned by twenty-eight southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church and its School of Theology is an official seminary of the church. The university's School of Letters offers graduate degrees in literature and creative writing. Often known simply as Sewanee, the school enjoys an excellent academic reputation and is ranked 34 on the annual US News & World Report list of liberal arts colleges.^[2] Sewanee has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars, garnering the distinction of the most Rhodes Scholars per capita of any school in the country.^[3] The campus (officially called "The Domain" or, affectionately, "The Mountain") consists of 10,000 acres (40 km²) of scenic mountain property atop the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee, although the developed portion occupies only about 1,000 acres. In 2006, enrollment consisted of 1,467 undergraduates, 92 students in the School of Theology, and about 25 students in the School of Letters. In addition to the University, the Community of St. Mary (a convent) and St. Mary's Non-Denominational Retreat Center (which uses the buildings formerly occupied by St. Mary's School). The asteroid 89264 Sewanee is named in its honor.

History

On July 4, 1857, delegates from ten dioceses of the Episcopal Church — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas — met together at Lookout Mountain to found a denominational college for the region. The cornerstone, laid on October 10, 1860, was destroyed in 1863 by Union soldiers from an Illinois regiment; many of the pieces were collected and kept as keepsakes by the soldiers. At least a few were donated back to the University, and a large fragment was eventually installed in a wall of All Saints' Chapel, where it can still be viewed by the public. Several figures later prominent in the Confederacy, notably Bishop Leonidas Polk, General Edmund Kirby Smith and Bishop James Hervey Otey, were involved in the founding of the University.

Due to the damage and disruptions of the Civil War, construction came to a temporary halt around that time. In 1866 the process was resumed, and this date is sometimes given as the re-founding of the University and the point from which it has maintained continuous operations (though official materials and anniversary celebrations use 1857 as the founding year). The University's first convocation was held on September 18, 1868, with nine students and four faculty members present. It is also recorded that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was offered the position of Vice-Chancellor but declined, choosing instead to work at Washington College in his native Virginia.

1871 Poster for Sewanee

Schools of dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, and nursing once existed, and a secondary school was part of the institution well into the second half of the twentieth century. For financial reasons, however, it was eventually decided to focus on two schools which exist today, the College and the School of Theology. In June 2006, Sewanee opened its School of Letters, a second graduate school. The School of Letters offers an M.A. in American Literature and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.

Buildings

The Sewanee campus includes many buildings constructed of various materials faced with local stone, most done in the Gothic style.

All Saints' Chapel was originally designed by Ralph Adams Cram and began construction in 1904 (replacing the smaller, wooden St. Augustine's Chapel which stood nearby), but the financial panic of 1907 left the University without the funds to complete it. It was completed in 1959 to a design by then-Vice Chancellor Edward McCrady.

Dr. McCrady was also responsible for the connection of the buildings of the original quadrangle with cloisters. During his tenure as Vice Chancellor, the Jesse Ball duPont Library was constructed.

Dr. McCrady was determined to fill in the plain windows of All Saints' Chapel with stained glass, though many remained without for several years. After his death, a new stained glass window, which includes his image, was dedicated in his memory. The final window was installed in 2004, nearly 100 years after construction began on the Chapel.

St. Luke's Chapel is one of several chapels on the campus. St. Luke's is located next to the building which formerly housed the School of Theology.

Literary associations

The school has long been known for its literary associations. The Sewanee Review, founded in 1892, is thought to be the longest-running literary magazine in the country and has published and been praised by many distinguished authors. Its success has helped launch the well-regarded Sewanee Writers' Conference, held each summer.

In 1983, Tennessee Williams, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner, left his literary rights to the University of the South. Royalties have helped build the Tennessee Williams Center, a performance venue and teaching facility, and to create the Tennessee Williams teaching fellowships, which bring well-known figures in the arts to the campus.

"Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum," the University's motto, is taken from the opening of Psalm 133: "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."^[1]

"Name change" and identity controversy

The institution has combined its two historical names in all University publications that are not official documents and bills itself as "Sewanee: The University of the South." The Sewanee Graphics Identity Standards Manual, a document reflecting the official policies of the university with respect to its public image, states:

First, it must be understood that the official and legal name of this institution is “The University of the South.” In the past, though, unorganized use of this official name and the University’s familiar name, Sewanee, has been confusing to those unfamiliar with the institution. In addition, college guides and Web sites that have become so crucial in young people’s college searches may list the institution under as many as four different entries—beginning with "The," "University," "South," or "Sewanee."

To avoid confusion and to honor the history and character of the institution, a consistent reference to the name of the institution is critical. So, for extended audiences unfamiliar with the institution, the naming convention "Sewanee: The University of the South" should be used on a first reference. Subsequent references may be to "“Sewanee" or "the University." This convention should not be used for those familiar with the University. Appropriate use of this convention is for admissions publications. An inappropriate use would be in alumni publications or those intended for the campus community.^[4]

Some have criticised this move and perceive the new logo and identity standards as an attempt to downplay the university's historical and cultural ties with Southern culture.^[5]^[6] Critics also protest the disappearance of the schools mace, donated in 1964^[7] , which bore numerous Confederate-themed marks and images. According to the University, the first mace was broken accidentally in 1997.^[6]^[7]

University Hymn, Alma Mater, and Prayer

The University Hymn, written by Bishop Thomas Frank Gailor (1856-1935), is sung to the tune of Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser (The Emperor's Hymn, known in English language hymnals as "Austria"), by Joseph Haydn.[1] The tune was previously used for the Austrian national anthem and a variation is used for Germany's national anthem.

God of Light, Whose face beholding,
Israel's Leader learned Thy Will,
Fire and storm the Rock enfolding,
Where the Voice was calm and still,
Give Thy Children on this Mountain
Grace and power Thy Truth to know;
Open here a living fountain,
Whence Thy Praise shall ever flow.

On the world now grows the Vision
Love of Country—Freedom's call;
Gage of Battle, Life's decision,
Faith will see the Christ through all.
Clearer, surer, rings the story,
"Christ our Brother—God Most High!
Through earth's vapors sweeps the glory,
Wrong, injustice, sin must die."

For the warfare train us, Father,
God of battles, God of might,
That no mists of Hell may gather,
Darken or obscure the right.
Gird our souls with Thy compassion,
Purge our minds with fire divine;
Light of Light, the Truth incarnate,
Make our lives and thoughts like Thine.

Alma Mater, written by Newton Middleton (Class of 1909)

Alma Mater, Sewanee
My Glorious Mother ever be.
I will give my All to Thee
God Bless Thee to Eternity.

Thou canst make me worth the while
O Guide and Shelter me.
And all my life, through Storm and Strife,
My Star Thou'lt be.

The School of Theology

The School of Theology at the University of the South was founded in 1878. Originally it was known as "St. Luke's" because it was housed in St. Luke's Hall, which was given by Charlotte Morris Manigault to the University specifically for a School of Theology. Following the merger of the Sewanee Military Academy with the nearby St. Andrew's School in 1981, the School of Theology moved to the former SMA campus. Because this new location was a mile away from St. Luke's Chapel (west of the UTS campus proper), seminarians worshipped in a converted classroom until a new chapel was constructed adjacent to the school in 2000. [2]

The School of Theology is one of the eleven seminaries officially connected with the Episcopal Church.

Noted alumni and faculty

The Most Rev. Edmond Browning, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
Paul Harris Boardman, film producer and screenwriter
Archibald Butt, military advisor to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft
John V. Fleming, Louis W. Fairchild '24 Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Princeton University
Radney Foster, singer/songwriter
The Rt. Rev. Leopold Frade, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida and former Bishop of Honduras.
William Crawford Gorgas, Surgeon General of the United States Army
The Rt. Rev. Campbell Gray, late Bishop of Northern Indiana
Smith Hempstone, journalist and U.S. Ambassador to Kenya
Roger Hodge, editor of Harper's Magazine
H.T. Kirby-Smith, author and poet
Jon Meacham, managing editor of Newsweek
The Rt. Rev. William Millsaps former university chaplain and current presiding bishop of the Episcopal Missionary Church
Anson Mount, stage, film, and television actor; star of NBC show Conviction
William Alexander Percy, lawyer and author from Greenville, Mississippi
The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church
Kyle Rote, Jr., American soccer player
John Shoop, Offensive Coordinator for the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and University of North Carolina football teams
Hudson Stuck, (Anglican) Archdeacon of the Yukon
Admiral (ret) William O. Studeman, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Raegan Payne actress, writer, and star of LonelyGirl15

External links

University homepage
The School of Theology at the University of the South
Sewanee Review
Sewanee Writers' Conference
Sewanee On-line Museum (Sponsored by the Leonidas Polk Registry Research Project- a gift from a University Trustee to the Sewanee community)
A Letter From The Episcopal Church Historical Society On Bishop Polk And His University
Sewanee Rugby Club Homepage
Sewanee Purple (student newspaper)

References

^ ^a ^b The University of the South. (2006). The Sewanee Student Handbook.
^ US News & World Report summary of Sewanee
^ UCSD Sociology Graduate Program: Graduate News, <http://sociology.ucsd.edu/graduate/graduate.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
^ The University of the South. Graphics Identity Standards Manual, Section 5.1.
^ Finder, Alan. (2005). In Desire to Grow, Colleges in South Battle With Roots, The New York Times.
^ ^a ^b McWhirter, Cameron. (2005). Colleges suffer identity crisis, The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
^ ^a ^b Cusack, Andrew. The 'New South' Scorns an Old Mace.

Private Colleges and Universities in Tennessee

American Baptist College • Aquinas College • The Art Institute of Tennessee- Nashville • Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences • Belmont University • Bethel College • Bryan College • Carson-Newman College • Christian Brothers University • Crichton College • Cumberland University • Fisk University • Free Will Baptist Bible College • Freed-Hardeman University • Hiwassee College • Johnson Bible College • King College • Knoxville College • Lambuth University • Lane College • Lee University • LeMoyne-Owen College • Lincoln Memorial University • Lipscomb University • Martin Methodist College • Maryville College • Meharry Medical College • Memphis College of Art • Memphis Theological Seminary • Milligan College • Nashville School of Law • O'More College of Design • Rhodes College • Sewanee: The University of the South • Southern Adventist University • Tennessee Temple University • Tennessee Wesleyan College • Trevecca Nazarene University • Tusculum College • Union University • Vanderbilt University • Watkins College of Art and Design

Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
Austin • Birmingham-Southern • Centre • Colorado College • DePauw • Hendrix • Millsaps • Oglethorpe • Rhodes • Sewanee • Southwestern • Trinity (Texas)