An important icon in Knoxville's civil rights history is taking a step back, in order to look ahead.
Knoxville College won't hold classes in the next academic year. The grounds have fallen into disrepair and the school has accumulated major debt.
But that didn't stop the school from graduating its 132nd class in a ceremony filled with the promise of revival in the air. Three students took the stage inside Roger's Memorial Baptist Church. For the graduates, it was the end of an academic journey. But the same can't be said for their 8 younger classmates.
"I couldn't process it, it was really shocking, I was upset," said Precious Adisa, a junior at the school.
Adisa cheered on her friends as they received their diplomas, knowing she likely won't have the chance to earn one.
"I wanted to teach. I have passion to go to South Korea and teach English," said Adisa.
As an international student from Nigeria, her time in the U-S depends on school.
"Our visa, F1 status stays while we are in school," explains Adisa, "So as long as we are in school we are fine. If we are not in school and school is in session then we will have a problem."
Though the outside experience wasn't what she had expected from college, it was still home.
"I learned to just enjoy it and stop looking at the building," said Adisa, "Because the professors have their Ph.D's, their masters, they are credible."
It's a place where she's made many new friends.
"A lot of culture, we have Belizians, Jamaicans, people from Dominica, just a lot of places I'd never thought I'd meet people one on one from," said Adisa.
Precious Adisa says she doesn't have an exact plan but is starting to look at Johnson University. Though her story will continue somewhere else, her time at Knoxville College, won't be lost.
"Of course I'm not going to forget it," said Adisa, "Because its going to be part of my life history now"
Educators tied to the school aren't giving up yet.
"I believe in Knoxville College, I believe in its mission and what it can accomplish," said Dr. Jane Redmond.
A 1970 graduate, Dr. Jane Redmond credits the college with her success.
"Knoxville College was like an incubator for me that helped me grow and nourish me," said Redmond. "To prepare me."
Now, she volunteers her time doing the same for students.
"When you have people who are committed who catch the vision," said Redmond, "We have and is willing to volunteer their efforts, their expertise and time, their resources to any project then it will be successful."
She is hoping to inspire others to do the same so this doesn't have to be her last Knoxville College ceremony.
"We are not closing. It may be bleak, but joy comes in the morning," said Redmond in her speech, "Like the phoenix we shall rise again."
Dr. Redmond tells WBIR the college is working on a plan, but isn't ready to reveal it yet. They hope to re-organize over the next year and welcome students again in 2016.
State Representative Joe Armstrong was among the audience. He expressed his concerns for the school's future.
"So its sad when you lose an icon and its important that we come back, we set down and we figure out a way to regenerate Knoxville college," said Armstrong.
He believes it has potential for revivial.
"With all the different programs and strategies from Tennessee promise and now President Obama with the national program maybe Knoxville College can come back as a community college or junior college," said Armstrong, "But its very important because of the history and legacy that It has and we need to preserve and we need to make sure that Knoxville has that legacy going forward."
The school is helping its eight remaining students find other options.
