University of Memphis

University of Memphis International Student Insurance

The University of Memphis (UofM), located in Memphis, Tennessee, was established in 1909. It opened its doors as the West Tennessee State Normal School, a teacher-training institution, in 1912. It became the West Tennessee State Teachers College in 1925 and then Memphis State College in 1941. Graduate studies began in 1950, and it was granted university status and a new name (Memphis State University) in 1957. The first black students were admitted in 1959. Doctoral programs began in 1966. The school gained its present name in 1994. Today, the University of Memphis enrolls more than 21,000 students and counting each year. The school colors are blue and gray, and its athletic nickname is the tigers.

Academic and Research Opportunities

UofM is divided into 14 academic colleges and schools offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. A few divisions of note include the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, The College of Professional & Liberal Studies, the Fogelman College of Business & Economics, the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality & Resort Management, the Loewenberg College of Nursing, and the School of Communication Sciences & Disorders. 

There is also a distinct research presence on campus. Research centers and institutes include the FedEx Institute of Technology, which focuses on interdisciplinary research and innovation in new technologies like drones, cybersecurity, self-driving vehicles, and biologistics; the Center for Earthquake Research and Information; the Chucalissa Museum and Indian Village; the Computational Research on Materials Institute at UofM; and the Institute for Gambling Education and Research.

On Campus

Points of interest on campus include the Art Museum of the University of Memphis, which opened in 1981 and whose claim to fame is the Ancient Egyptian Collection Exhibit. The Ned R. McWherter Library is one of the largest research libraries in the mid-Southern United States. The Veterans Care Center, located in the school’s Psychological Services Center, addresses the mental health needs of military veterans regardless of era, discharge status, or service connection.

Notable Alumni

Notable University of Memphis alumni include actor Fred Thompson, novelist Johanna Edwards, stand-up comedian Les McCurdy, former Mayor of Memphis Willie Herenton, and sports columnist Gary Parrish.