Roll of Honor

McConnell, William J.

Branch of Service: Airforce
Era: WWI
Location of Burial: Westminster Cemetery
Town of Burial: Bala Cynwyd, PA

William J. McConnell, nicknamed the “Little Parson,” and author of the original MTSU alma mater, died of pneumonia while serving with the Red Cross in Germany during World War I.

In 1912, student William J. McConnell wrote the first school song titled, “Hail, M.T.N!” The music is the 19th-century Russian national anthem, God Save the Tsar!, composed by Alexei Lvov. When the normal school became Middle Tennessee State Teacher’s College, the abbreviations “M.T.N.” were substituted with “S.T.C.” During the golden anniversary in 1961, Charles Douglas Williams, graduate in 1953, wrote “Alma Mater”, an original composition musically and lyrically. The state college adopted the new piece as its alma mater. The song is played before every football game and sung during commencement exercises.

---

Additional Photos