September of 2000 The month, we now recall, Jim Byford called for changes, His back against the wall. The days of Chris Chalokwu And the wrath of Philip Conn Were more than UTM could bear, And soon they would be gone. Morale at UT Martin Was perilously low With faculty leaving left and right, The tyrants had to go. As other deans departed, Jim Byford stood alone, To call for resignations And let the truth be known. Yes, Conn and Chris Chalokwu, They swore that they would stay, But Byford's resolution Was standing in their way. We rallied in the quad that week With TV cameras on And less than two weeks later, The chancellor was gone. The dust has long since settled, And many may not know How close we came to losing Our campus' heart and soul. But grassroots efforts saved the day And justice called their hand. With thanks, we pause, remembering When Jim Byford took a stand.
"There's No One Like Jim B!", written to the tune of "There's Nothing Like the Bean!", in honor of Jim Byford's retirement in December 2009.
Click here for the lyrics (PDF)
Related Links
Open letter of thanks sent to local newspaper