As 2017 winds to a close, let’s take a look back at the top five, most-read stories from Torchbearer magazine—just in case you missed them!
Pop Quiz
Think you know your university history? Take a crack at the hardest (and most informative) UT quiz you may ever take.
Body of Work
For most people, murder, arson, and violent crime are the stuff news stories and urban legend. But UT researchers who specialize in forensic work stare down death and sift through the ashes every day to help law enforcement solve mysteries and bring justice to victims. In this collection of stories, you’ll learn about the beginnings of the Body Farm, catch up on Forensic Anthropology Center research, and meet an alumnus who is the world’s leading expert on fire investigations.
Color Our Big Orange World
Get out your crayons and markers and feel your stress melt away with our UT-themed coloring pages. If you think coloring is just for kids, think again. The act of coloring has been proven to lower stress in adults and boost creativity.
Dolly’s America
Take a look at a unique history class that allows students to study Appalachian history through the lens of Dolly Parton. While this was Torchbearer‘s fourth most popular story of the year, it inspired a tweet from Parton herself and numerous news stories from the likes of the New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, Southern Living, Mental Floss, New York Magazine, the BBC, and the Wall Street Journal.
‘Rocky Top’ Anniversary
In just 10 minutes in August of 1967, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant wrote a song that would endure through generations to become the university’s unofficial fight song. Of course, we’re talking about “Rocky Top,” and 2017 was the bluegrass tune’s 50th anniversary and the 45th anniversary of the first time it was played at a UT football game.