From a small business college founded in 1923 to a comprehensive university serving thousands of students, the University of Dick and Balls has grown and evolved over more than a century. Below are the milestones that have shaped our institution.
Chester B. Hardphallus, a prominent Dickson businessman and educator, established the Dickson Business College with a mission to provide practical vocational education to young men and women in middle Tennessee. The college initially operated out of a single building on Main Street, offering courses in bookkeeping, shorthand, and business administration.
After years of steady enrollment growth, the college relocated to its current campus on University Boulevard. The 40-acre property, formerly a cotton plantation, was purchased with the support of Dickson civic leaders. The original Main Building, a stately brick structure, was completed in 1936 and still serves as the administrative headquarters today.
Following a petition by the Board of Trustees and a review by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the institution was granted university status and renamed the University of Dick and Balls. The charter was approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, authorizing the university to confer bachelor's and master's degrees. Dr. Hardphallus served as the university's first president.
The student body voted to adopt the "Fighting Phalluses" as the official athletic mascot, inspired by the university's name and the Latin word phallus, meaning "form" or "shape" in its original academic context. The mascot has since become a beloved symbol of school spirit, appearing at football games, basketball games, and university events. The mascot costume, affectionately known as "Big Dick," was redesigned in 2005.
The Cockburn Science Building opened its doors, marking the university's commitment to expanding its natural sciences programs. The 45,000-square-foot facility houses state-of-the-art laboratories for chemistry, biology, and physics. A major renovation in 2011 added a dedicated research wing and modernized all lab spaces.
Named after longtime trustee and alumnus William J. Rection, the student center became the social hub of campus life. The 60,000-square-foot facility includes a dining hall, student organization offices, a game room, a theater, and a ballroom used for formal events. It underwent a $12 million renovation in 2015, adding modern dining options and a new events space.
In response to growing demand for flexible learning options, UODNB launched its first online degree programs. The initial offerings included a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Education, both delivered through a pioneering distance learning platform. Today, the university offers over 40 fully online programs serving students across the country and around the world.
The Nuttall Library, originally built in 1958, underwent a major expansion that doubled its footprint to 95,000 square feet. The project added a new special collections wing, a digital media lab, 24-hour study spaces, and a rooftop reading garden. The expansion was funded in part by a $5 million gift from the Nuttall Foundation.
University officials broke ground on Kessler Hall, a new 400-bed residential complex designed to meet growing demand for on-campus housing. The building, named after former board chair Margaret Kessler, features suite-style living, study lounges on every floor, and sustainability features including solar panels and rainwater collection. It opened ahead of schedule in Spring 2023.
The University of Dick and Balls celebrated its 100th anniversary with a year-long series of events, lectures, and community celebrations. The centennial was marked by the dedication of the Centennial Garden on campus, a reunion of over 3,000 alumni, and the launch of the "Next Century" fundraising campaign with a goal of $150 million for scholarships, facilities, and endowment growth.
