Bob Hutton, associate professor of Appalachian studies at Glenville State University in Glenville, West Virginia, and former UT lecturer of history, published Bearing the Torch: The University of Tennessee, 1794–2010. Hutton’s book is a comprehensive history of UT that faculty, students, alumni, Vols fans, or anyone interested in learning more about the history of UT will appreciate.
“There’s a campus history that came out in the 1980s that was in bad need of a successor. I think that mine’s unprecedented in its focus on the ever-changing quest for equality in our world and on our campuses.”
Hutton’s book portrays a biography about how UT’s history reflects both Tennessee and the nation, combining various historical contexts with UT’s own history and issues.
“I love spending time in the archives, and I do aspire to be a decent writer, and I thought it’d be nice to write something that I knew a lot of people would be interested in reading.”
“Most readers will gain an appreciation for how many times the school nearly disappeared and how many times it got much-needed help from surprising places (like the federal government, for one)” Hutton said.
“I’m hoping the book will give people a better sense of the school’s past and heritage.”
On Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. Hutton and writer/researcher Jack Neely were at the East Tennessee History Center to discuss Hutton’s new book. The conversation was also available to be streamed online.
–Story by Jessica Foshee