East Tennessee University reopened after the war .
In 1869 the state legislature selected the university as the state 's federal land - grant institution , under terms of the Morrill Act passed by Congress in 1862 .
East Tennessee University reopened after the war , and in 1869 the state legislature selected the university as the state 's federal land - grant institution , under terms of the Morrill Act passed by Congress in 1862 .