Sewanee, The University of the South

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 denomination. Often known simply as "Sewanee," the school enjoys an excellent academic reputation and is well-ranked on the annual US News & World Report list of the best American liberal arts colleges.US News & World Report summary of Sewanee Sewanee has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars, garnering the distinction of the most Rhodes Scholars per capita of any other school in the country. The campus (officially called the "University Domain" or, affectionately, "The Mountain") consists of 10,000 acres (40 km²) of scenic mountain property atop the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee. Enrollment is currently about 1500 students.

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. Several figures later prominent in the Confederacy, notably Bishop Leonidas Polk, were involved in the founding of the University. Unfortunately, due to the damage and disruptions of the Civil War, construction came to a momentary halt around that time. In 1866 the process was resumed, and this date is usually given as the re-founding of the University and the point from which it has maintained continuous operations. The University's first convocation was held on September 18, 1868, with nine students and four faculty members present.

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 the two schools which exist today, liberal arts and theology.

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 very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!"

"The history and traditions of Sewanee are those of the Old South, and the ante-bellum days with their chivalry and culture, as well as the days following the Civil War when Sewanee, struggling as she then was, helped the stricken South through agonies and trials, enduring the hardships and privations of the Reconstruction period, until to-day she has emerged a living symbol of the loyalty and idealism of her founders." -Order of Gownsmen, "History of the University," Students' Handbook of THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH, 1921

"The University of the South, an Episcopal institution, was a great center for the cult of the Lost Cause." -John Shelton Reed and Dale Volberg Reed, 1001 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE SOUTH, 1996

"Because of the circumstances in which it was established, the University and its surrounding community of Sewanee embodied many of the aspect that distinguished the Lost Cause from other eras and social movements." -Charlotte Hutton, "The Lost Cause and Sewanee," January 13, 2002

"Name change" and identity controversy

Recently, the institution has begun combining its two names in all non-University publications and 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. The University of the South. Graphics Identity Standards Manual, Section 5.1.

Some have criticised this move and perceive the new logo and identity standards as an attempt to downplay the university historical and cultural ties with Southern culture. Finder, Alan. (2005). In Desire to Grow, Colleges in South Battle With Roots, The New York Times. McWhirter, Cameron. (2005). Colleges suffer identity crisis, The Atlanta Journal Constitution. The new logo and identity standards are seen by some in a similar light as the controversial university mace and its disappearance from public display. Cusack, Andrew. The 'New South' Scorns an Old Mace.

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"Name change" and identity controversy

Noted Sewanee alumni

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