University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee is home to a public institution of higher education known as the University of Memphis (UofM). The institution was established in 1912 and now serves more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

The university operates the Herff College of Engineering, the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI), the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, the former Lambuth University campus in Jackson, Tennessee (now a branch campus of the University of Memphis), the Loewenberg College of Nursing, the School of Public Health, the College of Communication and Fine Arts, the FedEx Institute of Technology, the Advanced Distributed Learning Workforce Co-Lab, and the Institue for Innovation in Learning The University of Memphis is designated as an institution that falls under the category of "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very High research activity."

The General Education Bill was passed into law by the Tennessee Legislature in the year 1909. The provisions of this measure called for the establishment of three colleges: one in each grand division of the state, plus an extra institution specifically for students of African-American descent. Following a lengthy process of bids and lobbying, the state of Tennessee was forced to decide between Jackson and Memphis as the location of the new institution that would serve West Tennessee. One of the primary factors that contributed to Memphis' selection as the location for the new West Tennessee institution was its close access to a train line when compared to other potential locations. This would make it possible for students and teachers to go to their respective homes and spend time with their families. East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), and Tennessee State University were the three additional institutions of higher learning that came into being as a result of the General Education Act (TSU).