Title: Andrew Holt Papers

Date/Date Range :   1958-1987

Extent: 22.5 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection contains papers of Dr. Andrew David Holt, President of the University of Tennessee from June 1, 1959 to September 1, 1970. This material relates to speaking engagements made by Dr. Holt from the 50's to the 80's; showing his valuable contribution to the development of education, his commitment to the leadership of students, and his warm friendliness in serving his church.

Call number: MS-1479

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Mrs. Andrew Holt donated this collection to the University of Tennessee in 1987.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Andrew Holt Papers, MS-1479. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of fifteen boxes.

Andrew David Holt Jr. was born to Andrew David and Mary Elizabeth Brown Holt on December 4, 1904 in Milan, Tennessee. He completed his undergraduate work at Emory University, after which he began working in primary and secondary education. In 1937, he completed his Ph.D. degree at Columbia University's Teacher's College and began working as Executive Secretary for the Tennessee Education Association (TEA). He held this position until 1950, interrupted only by two years spent serving in World War II. While working for the TEA, Holt became dedicated to the cause of improving Tennessee's public education system and proved instrumental in instituting a retirement system for teachers and a statewide sales tax to support education.

In 1950, Holt came to the University of Tennessee to serve as Executive Assistant to President Brehm. In 1953, he was promoted to Vice-President, and was finally made President in 1959. He remained in this position until 1970. Holt proved to be one of the University's most enthusiastic and productive presidents: during his tenure, enrollment tripled, faculty and staff doubled, state appropriations rose over 400%, and numerous new institutions and institutional relationships were established. Holt was also extremely popular: known as a kind, modest, and religious man, he proved to be an extremely effective goodwill ambassador for and consensus builder within the University. As one administrator put it, "Andy could get people to work themselves to death for him. He was forever telling everybody how good they were." Holt died in Knoxville on August 7, 1987.

Letters from students, citizens, congressmen (including Howard Baker), and Presidents Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson express their thanks and appreciation for the work he did. During the time "Andy" served as President of the University, he had all honorariums placed in scholarships for students or directed to a worthy cause. Andy felt the State of Tennessee paid him for his job at the University, not for his "humble words."

After his retirement, Andy Holt continued to serve. His speeches entertained, informed, and inspired; always stressing the importance of education, the support of worthy causes, and his love of God.

The papers are filed in alphabetical order, either by the name of the organization, the state, or the college. There are also boxes of scrapbook material which contain photographs, news clippings, letters and speeches.

• Holt, Andrew David, 1904-1987.
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville -- Presidents.