Knoxville College Faces New Setback as Historic Elnathan Hall Engulfed in Second Devastating Fire

Historic building ruins surrounded by smoke and ash.

Knoxville College Experiences Second Fire Devastating Historic Elnathan Hall

Knoxville, Tennessee – On the night of November 4, 2024, a significant fire swept through Elnathan Hall at Knoxville College, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake. This confronts the college with yet another challenge as it seeks to restore academic and physical integrity to its campus.

History of the Building

Elnathan Hall, originally constructed in 1893 as a dormitory for young women, later transitioned into an administrative and classroom building. The building suffered its first devastating fire in 1896, shortly after its opening, before being rebuilt in 1898.

Current Impact

According to Frank Shanklin, a member of the college’s Board of Trustees, the building was boarded up and had not been in use for over 40 years. Shanklin expressed concern that the recent fire presents a setback for Knoxville College as it actively pursues reaccreditation.

“Despite efforts by someone to destroy this building, we remain positive about the future of Knoxville College,” Shanklin stated. “We have committed to keeping the campus safe and working with the city to secure these buildings.”

Fire Department Response

The Knoxville Fire Department, led by spokesperson Mark Wilbanks, confirmed that the fire department has been called to the campus eight times for fire-related incidents in 2024, up from five calls in the previous year. Investigators suspect the fire was deliberately set.

“It is highly likely this was a set fire and not an accident,” Wilbanks commented. Following the fire, the structure was demolished for safety reasons, as precautionary measures were deemed necessary due to the risk of further damage.

Challenges Facing Knoxville College

Founded in 1875 by the Presbyterian Church, Knoxville College has encountered significant challenges in recent years. The institution lost its national accreditation in 1997, leading to dwindling student enrollment and increased financial difficulties. The absence of accreditation has made students ineligible for federal financial aid, further complicating enrollment efforts and faculty retention.

Classes have not been held on campus since 2017 due to safety concerns, so the college currently operates its courses exclusively online. In August, school leaders submitted their application for reaccreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). To regain accreditation, they must resolve 23 compliance violations noted by TRACS, which include concerns over leadership, financial stability, and accurate reporting of enrollment figures.

Community Reactions

Local leaders and community members are gravely concerned about the impact the loss of Elnathan Hall symbolizes. Renee Kesler, president of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, expressed deep sadness over the loss of the historical structure. “The pictures of flames billowing from Elnathan Hall, a beloved place, evoke a deep sense of erasure of history,” Kesler remarked, emphasizing the importance of preserving the college’s rich legacy.

State Representative Sam McKenzie called on the community to rally around the college during this critical period, asserting, “There remains a mission for Knoxville College to survive and thrive for the benefit of the underserved and underrepresented.” McKenzie encouraged local residents to actively support the college as it strives for reaccreditation and aims to restart bachelor’s programs.

Future Initiatives

Knoxville College officials emphasize the need for community support to facilitate the college’s revival. Frank Shanklin highlighted the importance of the college to Knoxville’s history, reminding residents that the school has played a role in fostering successful African American professionals for nearly 150 years.

With a leadership transition underway, the college hopes for a positive outcome. The interim president expressed gratitude for community support, stating, “Are our hearts broken? Absolutely. Is our resilience broken? Absolutely not.” She reaffirmed the commitment to rebuild and restore the college’s former glory.

As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the community remains hopeful for Knoxville College’s resilience amid its challenging circumstances.