For release: January 9, 2013
For press information, contact Dan Lattimore, 731-425-1937 or 901-258-5044

January 12 marks the first anniversary of the official acceptance of the former Lambuth University property by the Tennessee Board of Regents, making it a branch campus of the University of Memphis.  On a bitterly cold Jan. 12, 2012, Gov. Bill Haslam, University of Memphis President Shirley Raines, and government officials and business leaders from Jackson, Madison County, and the State of Tennessee, raised the U of M flag over the Lambuth Campus for the first time.

Since then, Lambuth Campus has grown considerably in enrollment, faculty, degree programs offered, buildings renovated and in use, and widespread acceptance as a geographically convenient and affordable source of higher education in West Tennessee.

In May 2011, a financial crisis loomed over Lambuth University, a small, private school that was founded in 1843, forcing it to cease operations that summer.  With support from the City of Jackson, Madison County, West Tennessee Healthcare, and the Jackson Energy Authority, the University of Memphis acted quickly to begin serving students in August 2011.  About 300 students enrolled that first semester.  

The Lambuth name was kept by design, according to Dr. Dan Lattimore, dean of the Lambuth Campus and dean of the U of M’s University College.

"The name ‘U of M Lambuth Campus’ is very valuable," said Lattimore. "That tells Lambuth alumni and those who live in the Jackson area who have been a part of Lambuth for years that we want to include them in everything we do."

In the fall of 2012, the campus became home to 582 students, with about one-fourth of them from Memphis.  To accommodate the increased enrollment, additional housing, a bistro, bookstore, fitness center and more technologically advanced classrooms opened last fall.  These facilities could not be refurbished until the official deed for the property was transferred to the U of M.  

Students who transferred from Lambuth University were given credit for courses already completed so they could graduate on time.  A milestone was celebrated in May 2012 when 42 students graduated from the University of Memphis as the first graduating class from the Lambuth Campus.  Half of them were from Jackson and half were from throughout West Tennessee.

Keeping students involved in campus life is an important goal of the Lambuth Campus. To encourage that, a Campus Life Grant is available to full-time students who choose to live on campus. The grant covers all living expenses in exchange for the students’ agreeing to become leaders in campus organizations and activities.  Grants are currently available for fall 2013.

Degree programs and areas of study have been expanded beyond nursing, business and education to include the music entertainment industry, accounting, communication and others.  A complete listing is available at www.memphis.edu/lambuth.

The University of Memphis Lambuth Campus remains a testament to the vision, determination, and hard work of the those who recognized the value of Jackson having a public four-year university. 

“Students at U of M Lambuth enjoy a small campus where they interact directly with professors and staff to meet their educational goals and secure their future,” said Lattimore.  “The affordable, quality education they receive here will be a boost to West Tennessee, as many of these students continue to live and work in the area.  The University of Memphis is pleased to be able to have a vital role in the economic and educational future of West Tennessee.”