Renamed East Tennessee University

1840

Renamed East Tennessee University

1840

Renamed East Tennessee University

A redesignation as East Tennessee University in 1840 by the state legislature during the presidency of Joseph Estabrook did not improve the institution’s economic fortunes. The faculty was small. It was difficult to secure competent teachers at salaries ranging from $500 to $1,000 a year. Even when good instructors were found, it was difficult to keep any of them for very long. The president received little more than the rest of the faculty, with his salary sometimes being supplemented by a percentage of the tuition receipts.