Photo Gallery | Tigers Around Town: The First 25 Years

Submitted by Ashli Blow, New Media Content Producer

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012, 12:18pm

1912 "Norm"

Tennessee Normal School opens with Dr. Seymour Mynders as President.Sponsor is The University of Memphis College of Education.

"Norm" by Jay Cheatham

This tiger is still located on campus outside Ball Hall.

1913 "Screech"

John Willard Brister is named the second President of West Tennessee Normal School. This Tiger is in honor of Seymour A. Mynders.

"Screech" is by Lizi Beard-Ward

This tiger is behind the McWherter Library at University of Memphis in the Ellipse.

1914 "Search for Knowledge"

The first University Library is established in the Administration Building. This tiger is sponsored by University Libraries and donated by Friends of the Libraries and Libraries Faculty and Staff.

"Search for Knowledge" is by Pam Cobb

This tiger is infront of the McWherter Library at University of Memphis

1915 "Jan"

Tuition for non-residents increases from $12 to $20 per quarter. Ann and Jim Vining are the sponsors for this tiger.

"Jan" is by Debbie Richmond

This tiger is behind the McWherter Library at University of Memphis in the Ellipse.

1916 "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

The Class of 1916 produces the first issue of "The DeSoto" yearbook. Memphis Area Association of REALTORS Education Foundation is the Sponsor of this tiger.

"Won't You Be My Neighbor?"

This tiger is outside the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS on Poplar.

1917 "TIGUrS"

Faculty members plant Victory Gardens as a show of support for WWI war effort. Tigers Initiative for Gardens in Urban Settings is the sponsor for this tiger.

"TIGUrS" is by TIGUrS Committee

This tiger is located in the TIGUrS garden at The University of Memphis.

1918 "Tiger Lily"

Andrew A. Kincannon is named the third President of West Tennessee Normal School. The tiger is in honor of Andrew A. Kincannon (1918-1924).

"Tiger Lily" is by Lizi Beard-Ward

This tiger is behind the McWherter Library at University of Memphis in the Ellipse.

1919 "Tail of Two Cites"

West Tennessee Normal School becomes a three-year college.This tiger is sponsored by Landers Ford Lincoln Collierville.

"Tail of Two Cites" is by Bonnie Gravette

This tiger is located at Landers Ford Lincoln in Collierville.

1920 "Tangled Up in Blue"

The women's basketball team defeats Union University 41-16 for their first intercollegiate win.Sponsors for the tiger are Harold Byrd and the Bank of Bartlett.

"Tangled Up in Blue" by Megan Travis-Carr

This tiger is located at The Bank of Bartlett on Poplar.

1921 "Hunka Tiger"

Zach Curlin becomes the School's first Athletic Director. Ben (BBA '78) and Victoria Watkins are the sponsors.

"Hunka Tiger" by Lizi Beard-Ward

This tiger is located at The University of Memphis in front of the Fogelman Executive Center.

1922 "White Tiger"

The School's library expands to 9,000 volumes and contains most major periodicals. Hobson Realtors is the sponsor of the tiger.

"White Tiger" is by Robyn Gridley Nickell

This tiger is currently in front of Hobson Realtors on Poplar.

1923 "Blue on Blue"

Scates Hall, the first men's dorm, and the School's first cafeteria open on campus. Budweiser of Memphis is the sponsor of the tiger.

"Blue on Blue" by Livia Carboni

This tiger is located at The University of Memphis.

1924 "Sunflower Tiger"

John W. Brister is re-installed as President of the Normal School. In honor of John Willard Brister (1913-1918 & 1924-1939)"Sunflower Tiger" is by Bettye Brookfield.

1925 "Presentation of the Blues"

The name of the School changes to West Tennessee State Teachers College. The Commercial Appeal is the sponsor of the tiger.

"Presentation of the Blues" is by Steven Harper

This tiger is behind the McWherter Library at University of Memphis in the Ellipse.

1926 "Zodiac Tiger"

The first Bachelor of Science degrees are conferred. The tiger is sponsored by Wei Chen (IMBA '98)- the First Chinese citizen to fly around the world.

"Zodiac Tiger" is by Christie Johns

This tiger is behind the McWherter Library at University of Memphis in the Ellipse.

1927 "Dreamers"

The College offers scholarship loans to students for the first time."Dreamers" is by Joy Routt. Tiger Sports Properties is the sponsor.

Courtesy of University of Memphis Alumni Association

1928 "Pouncer Ranger"

The Memorial Gymnasium, Brister Library and an addition to Mynders Hall are completed. "Pouncer Ranger" is by Terez Wilson. Snowden Grove Entertainment is the sponsor.

1929 "Classic Memphis"

President John W. Brister unveils the new "Alma Mater," which he composed that spring. This tiger is from Jim McGehee for RANA.

"Classic Memphis" by Sandy Branson

This tiger is on the corner of Poplar and Highland.

1930 "Tennessee Afternoon"

The School's name is changed to State Teachers College, Memphis. Donated by Bob and Susan Wilson in honor of Dr. Marguerite Cooper.

"Tennessee Afternoon" by Hannah McCormick

This tiger is located at the Wilson Air Center.

1931 "Littlest Tigers"

The Journalism Club publishes the first issue of the student newspaper, "The Tiger Rag." This tiger is called "Littlest Tigers" by Barbara K. Lipman School Students in honor of Barbara K. Lipman School.

"The Tiger of the Future"

This tiger was made by preschool students at Barbara K. Lipman School. It has glow in the dark planets on it so when it is dark, he lights up - just as the students believes the future lights up. It is currently in the school's art room.

1932 "CampUS"

Tuition is free to Tennessee students and $225 for out-of-state students.The tiger is in honor of Campus School.

"CampUS" by Mary Larrick (BFA '66) and Campus School Students

This tiger is outside the Campus School.

1933 "Skyline"

The College's first literary magazine, "The Observer," is published. Classic Party Rentals is the sponsor of the tiger.

"Skyline" by Lizi Beard-Ward

This tiger is currently located at Classic Party Rentals.

1934 "Vision of the Future, Celebration of the Past"

The Emergency Relief Administration provides funding for part-time jobs for students.First Tennessee is the sponsor.

"Vision of the Future, Celebration of the Past"

This tiger is outside of the First Tennessee on Poplar.

1935 "Memphis Music Tiger"

The College is awarded full accreditations from the SACS and the AATC. Monogram Foods: King Cotton and Circle B is the sponsor pf the tiger.

"Memphis Music Tiger" by Flow Tutor

This tiger is located at the Monogram Foods: King Cotton and Circle B office.

1936 "Tom the World Over"

The first Student Handbook is distributed to the student body. Elma Neal Roane is the donor of the tiger."Tom the World Over" is by Jamie McMahan and is currently in repair.

Courtesy of University of Memphis Alumni Association

1937 "Bert" by Elisha Gold

The College moves from family-style meals to cafeteria-style dining. EMHC Emergency Mobile Health Care is the donor of this tiger.

"Bert" by Elisha Gold (MFA '09)

This tiger is still at The University of Memphis in front of McCord Hall.

In celebration of The University of Memphis centennial year 100 unique tiger statues have been been put on display around The University’s campus or around town.

Made out of fiber glass the Bengal tiger figures each have a unique design and many of them were donated from sponsors in the Memphis community.Each tiger represents a highlighting point of each year.

We have the first 25 tigers in this slideshow, take a look and check back soon for the next round!