I recently stumbled upon some old photographs of my alma mater, Austin College in Sherman. I have always been fascinated in pictorial memories from the past, as images allow me to transport back to that era and imagine living in someone’s shoes. I can visualize myself as a student standing outside the newly-painted Sherman Hall in 1915, among a time when America was dominant on the world stage and women did not have the right to vote in elections. Or as a biology professor in the 1910s, when Thompson Hall first installed laboratories and other date-science equipment for students. The photographs are found on the ‘Austin College History’ Pintrest page and the information concerning the history of the college is found in more detail in Light Townsend Cummins’s book, Austin College: A Sesquicentennial History, 1849-1999 (Austin: Eakin Press, 1999).
Sherman Hall was constructed in late 1914 and dedicated to a large crowd of faculty, students, staff, and townsfolk on April 8, 1915– it was dedicated on that day “to oratory, which stirs the souls of men to the dramatic art that pictures human life.” Designed by the architectural firm of C.D. Hill and Company, President Thomas Stone Clyce decided to name the building after the citizens of Sherman, as many had given small donations to the college to help fund the construction process. The building was frequented by many students and housed the college’s administrative offices, the chapel, and a large library. Today, Sherman Hall, situated on the east side of campus and facing Grand Avenue, is the oldest building on campus and is home to the Hoxie Thompson Auditorium and offices of the humanities faculty (photograph in 1926, from the school newspaper, Chromascope).
In the wake of the 1913 fire that destroyed Old Main, Dr. Thomas Stone Clyce, who served as president of the college from 1900-1931, quickly called for a new master plan. This plan, with approval from the Board of Trustees, called for the construction of a science building. For funds, President Clyce turned to the Thompson brothers, all of whom were or had been students of the college. The four brothers proved to be extremely generous and donated $30,000 for the building– thus, the building was named after the brothers. Dedicated in 1914, Thompson Hall housed classrooms, offices, and labs for students studying science and mathematics. Additionally, the hall contained a first floor, or the ‘basement,’ which was unfinished at the time of opening and served as a storage space for the college. In an effort to give the building a monumental appearance, exterior stairs were constructed and gave the students access to the main hallway on the 2nd floor. I distinctly remember having my only science class in Thompson Hall my freshman year in 2012. Due to infrastructure problems, Thompson Hall officially closed in spring 2014, and today lays abandoned in the center of campus. The Idea Center now houses the mathematics and sciences departments (photograph in 1928, Chromascope).
Upon taking office as the president of Austin College in 1900, Dr. Clyce dreamed about constructing a dormitory on campus as he wanted the students to feel part of the campus. He suggested the idea to the Board of Trustees, who affirmed the idea, however, opposed the building due to a lack of funds. Dr. Clyce turned to James A. Baker, Jr. of Houston, who was instrumental in the founding of Rice University. Baker, Jr. promised to give Austin College the funds necessary to build the dormitory. Luckett Hall, named after the third president of the college Reverend Samuel M. Luckett, broke ground on January 22, 1907, and was completed on April 2, 1908. The white sandstone building had three stories– two floors for bedrooms and a operational basement, which would later contain the campus post office, a reception room, and student dining hall. The first floor also housed an apartment for the matron (the first was Mrs. Sarah S. Collins of Fort Worth) who would supervise the residence hall. The second floor housed twenty-five students and a college infirmary. Luckett Hall, which sported the most conveniences of the era, including vacuum-generated steam heat, indoor plumbing, and electric lighting, proved to be a popular hotspot and gathering place for all students on campus for nearly a hundred years. At opening, each resident was charged sixteen dollars a month for room and board. The building closed in 2002 after problems with black mold and demolished Luckett Hall in June 2004. Today, the fountains at the entrance plaza have been built on the land where the oldest dormitory in use west of the Mississippi River stood (photograph in 1928, Chromascope).
The Power House on the north side of the Sherman campus was built in 1908 and provided electricity, warm water, and power for all the buildings. The building was outfitted in the Great Depression era with classrooms and was a popular place for students to gather after hours. The Power House, with it’s iconic graffiti tower, was demolished in the 1950s to make way for the William Dean Residence Hall (built in 1962). Today the campus has its own physical plant, which is located in the Thompson offices on the south side of campus, adjacent to the IT and campus police offices. Tunnels under the Austin College campus still exist- I have seen them (photograph taken in 1927, Chromascope).
Austin College is today regarded as one of the few universities in the nation that changes lives. Students are held to a high standard in classes, and professors expect each student to comprehend the material and then apply the information to their post-grad careers. Each student is assigned a faculty mentor during their first-year to ensure that level of success is met and the student graduates within four years. Moreover, each faculty member has elected to be at Austin College because they devote most of their attention to the scholarship of teaching– some do conduct their own research outside of hours, but Austin College focuses on pedagogy than archival materials. 97% of the faculty hold PhDs or terminal degrees in their fields, enhancing the quality of an education that focuses on the whole student rather than once specific aspect. At Austin College, students explore beyond their prescribed horizons and devote their time to community and service– a freshman becomes a well-rounded and successful young adult (photograph of chemistry students in Thompson Hall in 1920s, Chromascope).
Student life expanded in the twentieth century on the Austin College campus. New residence halls were constructed, allowing students to live and study and eat on campus. Many organizations, Greek Life groups, and other community events were formed. Student leaders were elected and chosen to lead the student body into a new age of adventure and learning outside of the classroom. Moreover, athletics and intramural sports became very popular on campus. Cheerleaders were introduced in the 1930s and ever since, more sport teams have been added to the college’s lineup. Recently, men’s and women’s water polo teams were introduced (2017). New athletic facilities and fields were built, allowing students to competitively release their energies on sports– the college’s mascot is the kangaroo. The football team won the NAIA 1981 National Championships. Homecoming at Austin College was introduced towards the end of the century, and is still today a weekend of festivities where students and alumni gather to watch football, view a golf-cart parade through campus, drink refreshments, and enjoy each other’s company. Though Austin College does not give out athletic scholarships today because it is listed as an NCAA Division 3 institution, the college encourages all students to become athletes and engage in fair play and competition. I swam on the swim team for all four years of my undergraduate studies (two of which as a team captain), and I loved every moment of it. College athletics helps you focus on your schoolwork, have fun in the process, and join new friend groups allowing the network connections to grow (1st photograph of cheerleaders and football players in the 1930s, Chromascope; 2nd photograph of football players in the 1950s, Chromascope).
Go ‘Roos!!
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