Alumni
A Legacy of World-Changers
The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech has a long and prestigious heritage of graduating world-changers. From industry leaders working to streamline manufacturing, to environmental engineers identifying better solutions to ensure fresh water and air, to pioneers in cyber defense and security, our alumni are involved in improving the quality of life for their communities and their world.
Since our beginning in 1915, as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, we have attracted and graduated some of the most talented students in this region and across the world. We are proud of our alumni, proud of your accomplishments, and proud of the way you continue to invest your time, talents and energy to ensure success for the next generation of students.
History and Tradition
We know that the outstanding history and success of the College of Engineering at Tech has rested on the accomplishments, reputation, and legacy of our alumni. No doubt, in 1912, when community leaders opened the University of Dixie – or Dixie College as it was fondly known – little could they have foreseen the future of their humble beginnings.
Three years later, in 1915, Dixie College was reestablished as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, and engineering education in Tennessee was on its way to success. We are well aware that without our alumni, we could not continue to build on that 1915 dream of the little college on Dixie turned TPI.
Changes to TPI happened rapidly in the early years. In 1929, it conferred its first four-year bachelor’s degrees, after authorization by the State of Tennessee of its college format. In 1938, educational programs were divided into Professional and Technical subjects, with the first officially named Engineering bachelor’s degrees offered in 1949. Then, in 1965, the College of Engineering was formally established, and its departments expanded quickly over the next 50 years.
Today, the college offers bachelor’s degrees in seven different engineering, technology and computer science disciplines. Its graduate programs are constantly expanding due, in part, to additional support by the State of Tennessee, which resulted from Tech’s reclassification as a Doctoral University under the Carnegie Classification® of Institutes of Higher Learning.
Additional doctoral programs have expanded with industry partnerships, such as the one with Oak Ridge National Labs that provides in-house instruction for employees of ORNL interested in graduate degrees. Programs are also being developed to better-train master’s level students in management principles that are specific to engineering professionals. By striving to meet the demand for job-ready engineers in a constantly changing world, and with your help, the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech has continually been ranked among the top-rated engineering programs in the South.
Thank you alumni! Thank you for believing in us, and for supporting our students so they can join your ranks and become world-changers.
For more history about Tennessee Tech, visit History and Tradition.
Stay Connected
Let us help you stay connected to your former classmates and inform you of news and events about the college. Update your contact information by simply clicking the link, so we can let you know of news as it happens.
Nominate a Fellow Alum
Help us recognize the accomplishments of our alumni by nominating them for an Alumni Award. Each year, the College of Engineering presents awards for Engineer of Distinction, Computer Scientist of Distinction, Technologist of Distinction, and Distinguished Young Alumni. We collect nominations throughout the year. The deadline for submission for consideration each year is October 1.
Tell us Your Stories
Tell us about your life milestones and accomplishments, and send us scans of your old photos. Simply email us at engineering@tntech.edu. Help us use your stories to promote engineering education at Tech and to encourage students to become proud Tech alumni.
