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Lambuth History and Archives

This guide includes information about The University of Memphis Lambuth Campus history, links to digitized Lambuth archive collections, and information about historical items located in the Lambuth Archives.

1991 - 1999

July 1, 1991 

Lambuth College obtains university status and becomes Lambuth University.

1992

Lambuth University first Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is established.

December 1993 

Lambuth University celebrates its 150th anniversary.

1994 

The Oxford overseas study program begins.

Summer 1995

The Flag Day Picnic is established at Lambuth University, co-sponsored by the Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association. 

Thanksgiving 1996

First annual Thanksgiving service in the R. E. Womack Memorial Chapel, open to the whole Lambuth community.

1997 

Ken Brasfield of Brasfield Constuction makes a gift-in-kind donation for the renovation of the ground levels of Jones Hall; Mark Hawks of Design Constultants creatively contributes to the architectural design of the project.

Fall 1997 

Lambuth University receives a $250,000 gift from the estate of Mary E. Cannon, which will be used to create the Mary E. Cannon endowed scholarship fund; Reverend and Mrs. Luther Shaffer establish a $30,000 gift annuity with Lambuth University; Lambuth University receives a gift from Marshall Morris to establish the Adian W. McClaren Endowed Scholarship Fund.

October 9, 1997 

Holocaust survivor Zev Kedem speaks at Lambuth University – he was one of the over 1,100 Jews who were saved by Oskar Schindler.

November 1997 

Four Lambuth University students attend the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature.

November 17, 1997 

Jeanne and Henry Varnell make a $1.5 million challenge gift to Lambuth University.

Spring 1998 

Lambuth University establishes the Elbert and Amanda Weaver Endowed Scholarship Fund thanks to an anonymous donation; Lambuth University receives a $25,000 gift from Reverend William T. Barnes, Lambuth College alumnus.

January 23, 1998 

Lambuth University hosts the funeral service for Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly, in the R. E. Womack Memorial Chapel – about 500 people—celebrities and other mourners—in attendance.

February 25-28, 1998 

Seven Lambuth University students participate in the Midwest Model United Nations in St. Louis, MO.

February 27, 1998 

Women of the Calabash perform in the R. E. Womack Chapel at Lambuth University in celebration of Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

March 10, 1998 

The Lambuth Board of Trustees establishes the Lambuth Legacy Society in appreciation of those who have chosen or will choose to include Lambuth University in their estate plans.

March 19-21, 1998 

Seven Lambuth University students participate in the National Mock Trial sub-national competition in St. Paul, MN.

March 29, 1998  

The International Student Association of Lambuth University hosts an International Festival on campus.

April 1998 

The Lambuth University Psychology Department hosts the first annual West Tennessee Psychological Conference, sponsored by West Tennessee Healthcare; Lambuth College alumna Mrs. Charles Carter of Dallas pledges $150,000 to Lambuth University to support increases in faculty and staff salaries.

April 24, 1998 

Lambuth University announces that Dr. Ralph S. and Mrs. Barbara Hamilton have pledged $1.5 million to Lambuth.

Fall 1998 

Five Lambuth College alumni and their families donate a $30,000 challenge gift to Lambuth University to encourage alumni and friends of the school to support the Lambuth Annual Fund. Lambuth College enters its 150th year of history.

October 1998 

David Kennedy, President of the Board of Trustees of the Earhart Foundation of Ann Arbor, MI, announces the donation of a $3,000 grant to the Lambuth University Department of Political Science to augment the university’s library resources in the area of political science and international affairs.

December 2, 1998  

Lambuth University Jones Hall is dedicated as Varnell-Jones Hall.

1999 

Dedication of Oxley Square and its four halls, Whetstone House, Loeb House, Henley House, and Dawson House.

March 6, 1999

Over 1,500 West Tennessee students participate in the Region II Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Lambuth University.

March 14-16, 1999

The Jane Hyde Scott Center for Christian Studies at Lambuth University hosts the 1999 Institute on Wesleyan Theology, “Walking with Christ.” 

September 11, 1999

Lambuth University Alumni work with Habitat for Humanity for the first annual Day of Service.