Knoxville College: A Legacy of Education and Resilience
Knoxville College, nestled in the Mechanicsville neighborhood near downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, holds a significant place in the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Founded in 1875 by the United Presbyterian Church of North America, it stands as the only HBCU in East Tennessee and one of the oldest in the state. This private liberal arts college has a rich history of providing educational opportunities, particularly for African-American students in the post-Civil War era.
A Historical Overview
The establishment of Knoxville College was part of a broader missionary effort by the United Presbyterian Church of North America. Following the Civil War, the church's Freedmen's Mission sought to establish schools for formerly enslaved people across the South. In the 1870s, they decided to concentrate their efforts on building a larger, better-equipped school in Knoxville.
In 1875, the church acquired property that had previously served as a Confederate battery during the Civil War. The first building, McKee Hall, was completed in 1876, and the school officially opened its doors in December of that year. The institution was initially conceived as a normal school, primarily focused on training teachers, while also running an academy for local children's education. John Schouller McCulloch was named the school's first principal and Eliza B. Wallace was named the school's principal of female students.
Knoxville College received its charter from the State of Tennessee in 1901. Six years later, the Eliza B. Wallace Hospital was established, serving the dual purpose of training nurses and providing healthcare to the local Black community.
During World War I, Knoxville College students actively participated in fundraising for liberty bonds and the Red Cross. In 1919, following one of the city's worst racial episodes, the school's administration, comprising both Black and White members, staunchly defended the African American community and commended its students for their restraint.
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In 1925, students organized a month-long boycott to protest the school's strict behavioral code, culminating in negotiations between student leaders and the school's dean, Herbert Telford.
Campus and Architecture
Knoxville College's campus, situated on a hill overlooking the Mechanicsville neighborhood, encompasses 39 acres and features 17 buildings. These include administration and classroom buildings, a performing arts center, a gymnasium, a library, a chapel, and a student center.
Several buildings on the campus hold historical significance:
McKee Hall: The oldest building on campus, originally built in 1876 and largely rebuilt in 1895 after a fire. It is named after O.S. McKee, who established the first school for African-American children in Nashville in 1862.
President's House: Built in the late 1880s.
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Wallace Hall: Constructed in 1890 as an orphanage. It is named for Eliza B. Wallace.
Elnathan Hall: Originally built in 1898 after a fire destroyed the original building, it was altered in 1905 and 1971. This building has served as a women's dorm, administration building, and classroom building. Elnathan Hall was destroyed in a fire on Nov. 4, 2024. As of Nov. 7, fire investigators suggested the fire was intentionally set at its source. They specified that the “set” could be because of arson but also could have been due to cooking.
McMillan Chapel: Built in 1913, designed by Knoxville College alumnus, William Thomas Jones. It served as the campus's primary performance venue and hosted notable speakers such as George Washington Carver, Countee Cullen, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Jesse Owens.
Challenges and Recent Events
Beginning in the 1970s, Knoxville College faced increasing financial difficulties, leading to a period of decline. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools withdrew the college's accreditation in 1997, resulting in a significant drop in enrollment and a worsening financial situation.
As enrollment plummeted, the school's debt increased, and it became unable to pay its faculty or electric bills. Most campus buildings were shuttered and abandoned, and degree programs were discontinued.
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In January 2010, Horace A. Judson was hired as interim president, but he soon left, and the college continued to struggle.
In June 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency seized control of the A.K. Stewart Science Hall to conduct an emergency clean-up of toxic chemicals that the college had improperly stored in laboratories. In early 2015, state accreditation was withdrawn, further straining the college's finances. In April 2015, the school announced it was suspending classes for the Fall 2015 term in hopes of reorganizing.
In May 2016, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation recommended the college become a state Superfund site due to ongoing contamination concerns from the Stewart Science Hall. In September 2016, the City of Knoxville demanded that Knoxville College make repairs to fourteen of its buildings within 90 days or face condemnation. City crews subsequently boarded up the buildings.
As of August 2018, most of the campus sat abandoned, in an advanced state of disrepair. Most buildings were open to vagrants and vandals, causing severe damage. The former college center has been set on fire twice. Since early 2018, the college administrative offices are back on campus again, occupying the college Annex which is next to McMillan Chapel.
The state allowed it to resume courses in 2018, but they have been online, the Knoxville News Sentinel newspaper reported in July, as the college seeks to regain its accreditation.
On Nov. 4, 2024, Elnathan Hall at Knoxville College was destroyed in a fire. The unused building was ruled a total loss. As of Nov. 7, investigators think the fire was set.
Current Status and Future Prospects
Knoxville College is still trying to regain its accreditation and is also searching for a new president of the HBCU. On December 5, 2024, it was announced that Dr.
As of 2010, Knoxville College offered two degrees: the four-year Bachelor of Liberal Studies, and the two year Associate of Arts. Knoxville College followed a debt-free policy that allowed students to complete the degree program without the accumulation of debt. This was accomplished primarily through its College Work Program, which allowed students to offset much of their tuition costs by working for several hours per week.
The college maintains its commitment to providing quality education as private institution, with an intimate enrollment of around 100 students. Although not accredited, the college offers Associate’s degrees and concentrations in Humanities, Natural Sciences, Math & Physics, and Public & Environmental Health. These programs are designed to foster critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and a deep understanding of societal and environmental issues.
Knoxville College is overseen by a 16-member board of trustees, whose chairman is Dr. Eric Barnes. The board includes representatives from the Knoxville College National Alumni Association.
Student Life and Activities
Knoxville College's Student Government Association (SGA), elected by the student body, acts as a liaison between students and campus administration. Student activities include a dance team, a debate team, a choir, and a trivia team (which competes with other HBCUs in the Honda Bowl Competition). The school's newspaper, The Aurora, has been published for over a century.
Notable People
- George E. C. Florida A&M University football coach who won more than 85 percent of his games over a 24-year period, from 1945 to 1969.
- Lyman T.
- Willie E.
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