Knoxville College considers whether to mark its 150th year with virtual homecoming

Five months after a devastating fire on Knoxville College’s essentially vacant campus, the historically Black college is weighing whether to have an in-person or virtual homecoming celebration to mark its 150th anniversary.

An April 3 post on the college’s website said officials had “made the initial decision to host a virtual Homecoming experience,” but also were considering the possibility of planning an in-person celebration if sponsors and funding for one could be found.

Autumn homecoming celebrations for Knoxville College alumni have traditionally involved significant in-person gatherings in Knoxville involving multiple events, even in recent years when the college has been struggling with debt, low enrollment, the closure of its buildings, and the loss of national and state accreditation.

This year’s celebration carries particular significance, marking 150 years since the 1875 founding of the Knoxville institution as a “normal school” to train formerly enslaved people for careers as teachers a decade after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery.

The April 3 statement from Eric Barnes, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the prospect of a virtual homecoming event would ensure “accessibility, broad participation and responsible cost-savings during this pivotal time in our revitalization journey.

“At the same time, we recognize the deep desire from our community to gather and celebrate in person, and we hear you, and we feel it too,” the statement added. “That’s why the leadership of Knoxville College is actively exploring the possibility of hosting a physical Homecoming celebration on campus and throughout the Knoxville area.”

Leaders have set a June deadline to make a final decision, and urged alumni and supporters not to cancel any plans or hotel reservations before then, Barnes said in the online post.

As recently as March 3, a post to the Historic Knoxville College Facebook page promoted a link to book local hotel rooms for “Knoxville College’s 150th Anniversary Weekend, happening October 2–5, 2025.”

At the time of the Nov. 4 fire that left the 126-year-old Elnathan Hall in ruins, most of the buildings on its campus – including Elnathan Hall – had been closed and unused for years, with recent class offerings online only, and the college was searching for a new president after the departure of its previous leader. Rotesha Harris was appointed as president in December, with the specific goal of regaining the accreditation the school lost decades ago.

Knoxville College is the only Historically Black Colleges and Universities institution in East Tennessee.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville College considers making homecoming a virtual celebration