Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication .

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Southwestern Presbyterian University, 1925, Artifact-023, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The collection was acquired by Special Collection and University Archives prior April 1958.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Southwestern Presbyterian University was completed in June 2025.

Biographical Note

Rhodes College was founded as the Masonic University of Tennessee in 1848 in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1850, it became Stewart College, and five years later it became part of the Presbyterian Church. In 1875, the college added a School of Theology and was renamed Southwestern Presbyterian University. The school closed in 1917, and in 1925, the university moved to Memphis, where it also took on a new name, Southwestern. In 1945, the college was once again renamed Southwestern at Memphis, and finally in 1984, it became Rhodes College.

Scope and Content

This bronze medal commemorates the 50th anniversary of the founding of Southwestern Presbyterian University of Clarksville, TN, and its move to Memphis as well as name change to Southwestern. It is embossed on the front with "SOUTHWESTERN / 1875-1925 / [buiding image of Palmer Hall] / PALMER HALL / JUBILEE AND / INAUGURAL / NOV. 26-28-1925 / -.- / MEMPHIS, TENN." The back has a laurel wreath surrounding the text "TO COMMEMORATE THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTHWESTERN PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDED IN CLARKSVILLE, TENN. 1875 AND ITS INAUGURAL IN MEMPHIS IN 1925 AS SOUTHWESTERN -.-"

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Southwestern Presbyterian University by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).