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[[Image:Sewaneefall.jpg|right|frame|<center>Sewanee in the Fall</center>]]

[[Image:Sewaneefall.jpg|right|frame|<center>Sewanee in the Fall</center>]]

'''The University of the South''' [http://www.sewanee.edu] 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 [http://theology.sewanee.edu/ 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 has a strong academic reputation and recently ranked 40th in the annual ''US News & World Report'' list of liberal arts colleges.[http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3534_brief.php 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 school in the country.[http://sociology.ucsd.edu/graduate/graduate.htm] The campus (officially called "The Domain" or, affectionately, "The Mountain") consists of 13,000 acres (40 km²) of scenic mountain property atop the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee, although the developed portion occupies only about 1000 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 town of Sewanee includes 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 [http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=89264 89264 Sewanee] is named in its honor.

'''The University of the South''' [https://www.sewanee.edu] 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 [https://theology.sewanee.edu/ 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 has a strong academic reputation and recently ranked 40th in the annual ''US News & World Report'' list of liberal arts colleges.[https://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_3534_brief.php 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 school in the country.[https://sociology.ucsd.edu/graduate/graduate.htm] The campus (officially called "The Domain" or, affectionately, "The Mountain") consists of 13,000 acres (40 km²) of scenic mountain property atop the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee, although the developed portion occupies only about 1000 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 town of Sewanee includes 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 [https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=89264 89264 Sewanee] is named in its honor.

==History==

==History==

On July 4, 1857, delegates from ten dioceses of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Episcopal_Church_in_the_United_States_of_America Episcopal Church] — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas — were led up Lookout Mountain by Bishop Leonidas Polk for the founding of their denominational college for the region. The cornerstone, laid on October 10, 1860 and consecrated by Bishop Polk, 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 the relic can be visited by pilgrims. Several figures later prominent in the Confederacy, notably Bishop-General Leonidas Polk, Bishop Stephen Elliott, and Bishop James Hervey Otey, were prominent founders of the University.  Generals Josiah Gorgas and Edmund Kirby Smith were important to the University's postbellum revival and continuance.

On July 4, 1857, delegates from ten dioceses of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Episcopal_Church_in_the_United_States_of_America Episcopal Church] — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas — were led up Lookout Mountain by Bishop Leonidas Polk for the founding of their denominational college for the region. The cornerstone, laid on October 10, 1860 and consecrated by Bishop Polk, 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 the relic can be visited by pilgrims. Several figures later prominent in the Confederacy, notably Bishop-General Leonidas Polk, Bishop Stephen Elliott, and Bishop James Hervey Otey, were prominent founders of the University.  Generals Josiah Gorgas and Edmund Kirby Smith were important to the University's postbellum revival and continuance.

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 and Lee University|Washington College]] in his native Virginia.

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 and Lee University|Washington College]] in his native Virginia.

: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."

: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."  [http://www.sewanee.edu/styleguide/Styleguide_ver1_3.pdf Graphics Identity Standards Manual]

: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."  [https://www.sewanee.edu/styleguide/Styleguide_ver1_3.pdf Graphics Identity Standards Manual]

When this naming system was proposed in 2004, it was misinterpreted by some alumni to reflect a change in the official name of the University.  A minor scandal ensued, due in large part to insinuations that the change was intended to "distance" the University from its historic association with Southern culture.  The controversy has generally subsided, though some students and alumni still mistakenly refer to the incident as a "name change".

When this naming system was proposed in 2004, it was misinterpreted by some alumni to reflect a change in the official name of the University.  A minor scandal ensued, due in large part to insinuations that the change was intended to "distance" the University from its historic association with Southern culture.  The controversy has generally subsided, though some students and alumni still mistakenly refer to the incident as a "name change".

Modern traditions include the Festival of Lessons and Carols in early December, an imitation of the traditional Christmas service in [[Cambridge University|Cambridge]].  Also, local [[mythology]] regarding [[angels]] is abundant; residents of the Domain tap the roofs of their cars as they pass through the stone gates in order to "get their angel" for protection in their travels.  Numerous other traditions continue to flourish on the Mountain, many adapted to fit modern practices.  

Modern traditions include the Festival of Lessons and Carols in early December, an imitation of the traditional Christmas service in [[Cambridge University|Cambridge]].  Also, local [[mythology]] regarding [[angels]] is abundant; residents of the Domain tap the roofs of their cars as they pass through the stone gates in order to "get their angel" for protection in their travels.  Numerous other traditions continue to flourish on the Mountain, many adapted to fit modern practices.  

In recent years, some alumni and students have perceived that the school was trying downplay the university's [[tradition]]s, particularly its historical and cultural ties with Southern culture.[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/education/30sewanee.html In Desire to Grow, Colleges in South Battle With Roots]. [http://www.leonidaspolk.org/Colleges%20suffer%20identity%20crisis%20%20ajc_com.htm Colleges suffer identity crisis]. As a result, some traditions have come under special scrutiny.   

In recent years, some alumni and students have perceived that the school was trying downplay the university's [[tradition]]s, particularly its historical and cultural ties with Southern culture.[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/education/30sewanee.html]. [https://www.leonidaspolk.org/Colleges%20suffer%20identity%20crisis%20%20ajc_com.htm]. As a result, some traditions have come under special scrutiny.   

One particular concern was the disappearance of a ceremonial baton, called a "mace," dedicated to [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]] and decorated with Confederate-themed marks and images. The mace, donated to the University in 1965, was displayed in official processions until 1997, after which it broke and was deemed unusable. A new mace, dedicated to the four founders of the University but bearing no Confederate imagery, was commissioned and continues to be used in University processions.

One particular concern was the disappearance of a ceremonial baton, called a "mace," dedicated to [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]] and decorated with Confederate-themed marks and images. The mace, donated to the University in 1965, was displayed in official processions until 1997, after which it broke and was deemed unusable. A new mace, dedicated to the four founders of the University but bearing no Confederate imagery, was commissioned and continues to be used in University processions.

== University hymn and alma mater ==

== University hymn and alma mater ==

''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]].[http://itw.sewanee.edu/Music111/Works/Haydn/haydn.html] The tune was previously used for the Austrian national anthem and a variation is used for Germany's national anthem.

''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]].[https://itw.sewanee.edu/Music111/Works/Haydn/haydn.html] The tune was previously used for the Austrian national anthem and a variation is used for Germany's national anthem.

[[Image:The_Seal_of_The_University_of_the_South.png|right|thumb|University Insignia]]

[[Image:The_Seal_of_The_University_of_the_South.png|right|thumb|University Insignia]]

<blockquote>God of Light, Whose face beholding,<br />

<blockquote>God of Light, Whose face beholding,<br />

== The School of Theology ==

== 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. [http://theology.sewanee.edu/cota]

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. [https://theology.sewanee.edu/cota]

 

 

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.sewanee.edu/ University homepage]

* [https://www.sewanee.edu/ University homepage]

* [http://theology.sewanee.edu/ The School of Theology at the University of the South]

*[[Jessie Ball duPont Library]]

* [http://www.sewanee.edu/sewanee_review Sewanee Review]

* [https://theology.sewanee.edu/ The School of Theology at the University of the South]

* [http://www.sewaneewriters.org/ Sewanee Writers' Conference]

* [https://www.sewanee.edu/sewanee_review Sewanee Review]

* [https://www.sewaneewriters.org/ Sewanee Writers' Conference]

[[Category:General Reference]]

[[Category:General Reference]]

[[Category:Education]]

[[Category:Education]]