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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.

2000 - 2011

March 2000 

The renovation of the Lambuth Theater is completed – the Theater is dedicated as the Hamilton Performing Arts Center (HPAC).

March 27, 2000

Lambuth’s chapter of Best Buddies International hosts the second annual 5K Run/Walk.

February 18-March 13, 2001

Lambuth University hosts the exhibit “Remebering Luboml: Images of a Jewish Community” – the exhibit is complemented by several satellite events.

February 27, 2001

The annual Sociology Symposium entitles “The Holocaust: A 21st Century Perspective” is held at Lambuth University.

April 3, 2001

The inaugural Lyles Lecture takes place at Lambuth University with Dr. Will Willimon as keynote speaker – the Lecture series was established by Lambuth alumnae Paula Lyles Calhoon and Nancy Lyles Parker in memory of their parents, Dr. Paul and Anne Lyles.

Summer 2001

Lambuth University School of Arts & Communication hosts the first Cultural Odyssey Camp.

2002

U.S. News & World Report ranks Lambuth University among the top 30 in the Southern Comprehensive Colleges category. 

Homecoming 2002

Lambuth University students, faculty, staff, and alumni take part in the annual Heart Walk to raise money for the American Heart Association. 

September 27-29, 2002

Lambuth University volunteers participate in Habitat for Humanity House Blitz.

October 6, 2002

Lambuth University hosts the televised debate of Tennessee U.S. Senate candidates Lamar Alexander and Bob Clement in the Hamilton Performing Arts Center.

Summer 2002

Two Lambuth alumni, Jenny Redding, ’02, and Clarence Hamptopn, ’50, carry the Olympic Torch on its journey to the 2002 Winter Games as it passed through Memphis and Jackson, TN.

Fall 2003

Lambuth University opens a computer lab for students, equipped with 20 computers.

September 24, 2003

Lambuth University celebrates the accreditation of the School of Business by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.

January 5-8, 2004

The M. D. Anderson Planetarium offers NASA’s live version of Hubble ViewSpace Program – only 25 sites across the U.S. have been selected to participate in the program.

Spring 2004

Lambuth University Financial Aid Office begins a Community Service Reading Program to help Lambuth students get involved with the local community. Elaine Reese, daughter of guitar virtuoso Mario Maccaferri, donates his music collection to Lambuth University; Lambuth University’s Jazz Band performs at the 1st Annual Lunchtime Concert.

Fall 2004

President Kazuo Hiramatsu of Kwansei Gakuin University visits Lambuth University as part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Bishop Lambuth; Jackson, TN mayor, Charles H. Farmer, declares September 10, 2004, Bishop Walter Russell Lambuth Day.

September 11, 2004

The Lambuth Alumni Association begins a newspaper readership program at Lambuth University.

Spring 2005

A Parent Council is formed at Lambuth University.

March 2005

The Ned R. McWherter Leadership Scholarship is established thanks to a gift from former Tennessee Governor Ned R. McWherter and the Lambuth Board of Trustees – the Scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate the highest standards of academic achievement and citizenship, as well as exemplary leadership and service to their school, church, and community. 

June 5, 2005

Lambuth College alumna Adriane Lenox, Class of 1978, wins a Tony Award in the category of Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Mrs. Muller in John Patrick Hanley’s “Doubt.” 

November 17, 2005

The Dunlap-Williams Log House Museum of Early America is removed from the Lambuth University campus and relocated on a 1,700 acre farm in Hardeman County.

November 29, 2005

Lambuth University athletic training center is dedicated to honor Dr. Keith Nord and Sports, Orthopedics, and Spine.

2006-2007 

Lieutenant Governor John Shelton Wilder, Sr., donates papers, memorabilia, and his office furniture to Lambuth University – part of a plan to create an Institute for Public Service in his name.

2007

Lambuth University begins offering tuition assistance towards a licensure in special education to post-baccalaureate individuals and special education assistants through the BASE-TN state-sponsored program.

February 17, 2007

Lambuth Sports Hall of Fame of Lambuth University is dedicated in honor of Ike Castellaw.

October 26, 2007

Dedication of Eickhoff Plaza, located in front of the Wilder Union Building, honoring Andy Eickhoff, Jr., and Amy Tacker Eichoff, both alumni of Lambuth College Class of 1974.

2008

The L.L. Gobbel Library at Lambuth University acquires one of the rare 800 copies of the Processus Contra Templarios, Proceedings Against the Templars, from the Vatican Secret Archives.

2008 

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) conducts a review of Lambuth University, expresses concern over the school’s governing and finances, and presents 20 recommendations to the school; Lambuth University announces a financial restructuring plan, which includes lay-offs, cut to retirement contributions, and the elimination of some academic programs.

2009 

Lambuth University fails the Department of Education’s financial responsibility test, has to post letter of credit to obtain federal student aid money. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission conducts a study to see if the University of Memphis could acquire Lambuth University; the City of Jackson authorizes the purchase of several buildings belonging to Lambuth University to help with the school’s financial issues. SACS decides that Lambuth University will keep its accreditation, but will be on probation until it addresses all of SACS’s 20 recommendations.

Spring 2010 

Lambuth University seeks a management group to take ownership of the school – it reaches an agreement with a for-profit investment group that will allow the school to remain a non-profit and maintain ownership of the campus.

Fall 2010 

Lambuth University announces that the school will receive three levels of funding from the investors; a SACS special committee visits Lambuth University in October – in December, SACS decides not to renew Lambuth University accreditation, primarily for the school’s financial status; Lambuth University decides to appeal – the school will remain open until SACS reviews appeal and issues a decision and will maintain accreditation on probationary status until then.

Early 2011 

In February, SACS rejects Lambuth University’s appeal and denies the accreditation; Lambuth University obtains an injunction from the U.S. District Court in Atlanta to fight SACS’s ruling to remove the school from its membership – the school will maintain its accreditation on probationary status until the legal matter is resolved; in March, President Bill Seymour states that Lambuth University’s accreditation matter with SACS caused the investors to pull their offer from the table.

April 2011 

Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist announces that local leaders and organizations/institutions such as the City of Jackson, Madison County, the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Energy Authority, West Tennessee Healthcare, and Healthy Communities LLC are ready to pay off Lambuth University’s debt if the school is purchased by a public university such as the University of Memphis.

April 30, 2011 

Lambuth University hosts its final graduation.

May 2011 

Tennessee state and local officials began working on a plan for Lambuth University to become a satellite campus of the University of Memphis.

June 30, 2011 

Lambuth University officially closes.