{iS 5or*,

'Drroms frndTisiorlso

The flistorv of Navnrro CoIIege

Bv Dr.Tommy Stringer

tuff{" Copyright1996 by NavarroCollege

lsBN0-98244-090-7

Printedby DavisBrothers Publishing Co., Inc. Waco,TX ?reface

Dreamsand Visionsprovides a brief accountof the SO-yearhistory of NavarroCollege. lt is basicallyarranged chronologically by the administrationsof the institution'sfour presidents.A wide varietyof sourcesprovided information and insightinto the peopleand eventsthat have contributedto the uniquehistory of Navarro.Numerous interviews, both formaland informal, *,,gavepersonal insights into the school'sdevelopment and uncoveredepisodes that were not "writtendown" anywhere. Publications such as The Growl,El Navarro, and the Corsicana Daily Sun added more information.Numerous in-house publications, brochures, and photographswere also helpfulin tellingNavarro's story.

Of course,not everyevent in the College'sfifty year historyis includedin this work. But a concertedeffort has been madeto includethose episodesthat have provento be of specialsignificance in shapingthe institution.Navarro's story is a story of people,and many havebeen recognizedby nameon thesepages. Others who gave of their time, talents,and resourceswere not named.The intentionwas not to slightanyone, but time and space limitationsdid come into play.

Dreamsand Visions is intendedto give the readeran understandingand appreciation of the experiencesand peoplethat madeNavarro College a "firstclass junior college," as envisionedby its founders.lt is impossibleto countthe numberof lives that NavanoCollege has touchedor to measurethe influenceit has exertedin ils fitty year history,but this work is a feebleattempt to describesome of those accounts.The experienceof researchingand compilingthis volumehas giventhe writera greaterappreciation for NavarroCollege and the many peoplewho have contributedto its success.

Dr. TommyStringer HistoryInstructor NavarroCollege rtcknowledgments

A projectof this naturecan be completedonly with the assistanceand cooperation of many people.lt beganwhen Dr. KennethWalker asked me to producea historyof *.frlavarroCollege as the institutionprepared to celebrateits 40th anniversary.The intormation that was gatheredat that time publicizedthe beginningsof the Collegeand the contributions of many peoplewho were involvedin its foundingand development.

Over the next decade,suggestions were made to expandthe previouseffoft into a full book-lengthhistory of Navarroas part of the 50th anniversarycelebration. Many people have contributedsignificantly to this final product.Former students,faculty members, administrators,members of the Boardof Trustees,and communityleaders granted interuiews, both formal and informal,to share their recollectionsof the College'sdevelopment at its variousstages. Many sharedphotographs, documents, and personalmemorabilia that added humaninterest aspects of the life of the institution.The Registrar'sOffice and the Business Officemade available statistical data relatedto the growthand developmentof the College. McAfeeDaniel not only providedinformation based on his long associationwith the College but he also editedthe manuscript.Linda Timmerman provided editorial comments, and, along with Lisa Washburn,was instrumentalin the lay-outprocess involved in "puttingthe book together."Jeremy Pereira supplied photographs from his "collection,"and Dr. Lary Reed and Dr. Gerald Burson providedmuch suppottfor the project.Funding for publicationand distributionof the book camefrom the NavarroCollege Foundation,

No doubt, there are others whom I am inadveftentlyomitting who made various contributionsto this endeavor.Although you are unnamed,you are appreciated. DreamsandWsions

The ]{istory of Navilrro College A.A. Atlison,Corsicana's postmaster and chairmanof the EducationalCommittee of theCorsicana Chamber of Commerce,was among the firstin NavarroCounty to recognizethe important role which the iunior college could play in theducationalprocess. Chapter I TheDream

NavarroCounty, which is locatedfifty determinationwould $erve the settlers well as miles southeastof Dallas in north central they carved out a new life for themselves: Texas, has a colot{ulhistory, dating back to building homes, raising crops, starting the beginningsoJ Texasstatehood. Stories of businesses, erecting churches, and cowboysand Indians,Texas Rangers,cotton, establishing schools as they brought railroads,oil, and chiliare all included in the civilizationto the rugged Texas frontier. rich heritageof the region. The first Texas Legislatureestablished The first Anglo residents,who came NavarroCounty in July, 1846, and named it for Texas patriotJose i Antonio Navarro. A five-membercommittee laid out a townsiteto serve as the seat of government for the newly createdcounty, and at Jose Navarro's request, called it Corsicanain honorof the islandof Corsica, the bifthplaceof his father. The town grew consistently although not MuMul+drawnl + drawn slreefstreet carcar, Beaton StreetStreet' - Corsicana. spectacularly during the next decade. Like in the 1840s,were typicalpioneers, having mostcommunities in Eastand CentralTexa$, uprootedthemselves to seek a betterlife and Corsicana enthusiastically suppofted willingto take the risksthat accompanysuch secessionand the Confederatecause during an endeavor. They were attractedto the the Civil War, sending450 of her sons to area by the rich black soil, whichwas ideal fight in GeneralLee's Rebel army. The for cotton production,and their spirit of arrival of the Houstonand Texas Central

4 Railroadin 1871 brightenedthe community's launcheda new boom for NavarroCounty. future considerablyby providinga dependable At its peak, the PowellField was yielding means of transportingpeople and goods into 315,000barrels of crudeper day, bringing and out of the city, economic prosperity and a population explosionto NavarroCounty. The future lookedextremely bright. lt was underthose dynamicconditions that the dreamof a "first classjunior college" for NavarroCounty was first discussed. The County'sresidents had long demonstratedan interestin improvingthe qualityof life throughexpanding educational opportunities.Dozens o{ one-roomschools had flourishedthroughout the County,offering fundamentalinstruction in the "ThreeR's." As transportationimproved, consolidation of many of those schoolsoccurred. By 1860 there were five good boardingschools in NavarroCounty, including one at Dresden, one at Chatfield,and the remainingthree at Corsicana.The CorsicanaFemale Institute providedinstruction for youngwomen in the social graces as well as in academic subjects. MajorHenry Bishop established a militaryschool in Corsicanaabout the time of the outbreakof the Civil War, while Mrs. J.W. Gillick operateda private academic Jose AntonioNavarro institution.Professor R.S. Roberlsoperated a femaleacademy in Corsicanawhich was The town's direction was altered notedfor its outstandingprograms in the fine dramaticallywhen in 1894workers drilling a arts, chemistry,physiology, and hygiene. water well only blocks from Corsicana'sThe Catholic Church also operated a businessdistrict struck oil. By the end of parochialschool in Corsicanain the late 19th the decade,there were 500 producingoil century. The Corsicana Public Sch.ool wells within the city limits of Corsicana,system opened in 1880, providinglocal yieldingmore than 800,000barrels of crude studentswith the opportunityto receivean per year, making Corsicanathe state'sfirst educationwithout tuition cost. commercialoil field. Corsicanabecame the The residentsof NavarroCounty also vanguardfor productiontechnology, marketing demonstrateda longstandinginterest in strategies,and diversifieduses for petroleum highereducation. The 1872 recordsof the products. Some of the industry'smost NavarroCounty Court mention a "collegeof dynamicand innovativeleaders got their first higher learning"at Dresdenin the western experiencein the Corsicanafield. part of the County. Dresden College The developmentof the SPindletoPoccupieda large,two-story building in that Field in 1901 shifted oil interest from community, In 1869, the Cumberland Corsicanato the Texas Gulf Coast,but a PresbyterianChurch established Tehuacana gusherdrilled on a ranch near Powell10 Universityjust acrossthe NavarroCorinty line miles east of Corsicanain January,1923; in LimestoneCounty to train youngmen for

5 was foundedin 1899by the CorsicanaMethodist Conference. The institution's name suggested its primary focus,namely to prepare students to transfer to SouthwesternUniversitY at Georgetown, the leadingMethodist college in the area at that time. By 1902 U.T.S.boasted a student bodY of 200, but enrollment was erratic over the next several years, and financialproblems were a constant source of Trinity University - Tehuamna concern for administrators. the Presbyterianministry and to providea In 1910trustees changed the school's wholesomeChristian environment for young name to Central Texas College. The peopleto pursuetheir studies. The school followingyear, a bulletinfrom the State btruggtedduring its tenureat Tehuacanauntil Board of Educationclassified Central Texas it moved to Waxahachiein 1902, and the Collegein a groupof institutions"doing work trustees changed its name to TrinitY. In 1942 the school moved once again, this time to San Antonio,and today it enjoysan outstanding reputation for academicexcellence. The Methodist Church acquiredthe original Tehuacana University propeftY and established WestminsterCollege, which operated at that site until the 1960s. - BloomingCentralTexasCollege, BloomingGrove Grove, located 15 miles west of Corsicana,also boastedan abovethat of a secondaryschool, but giving institution of higher learning. Known no degrees." C.T.C.described itself as a originallyas the UniversityTraining School, it junior college, although no academic or 6 accreditationagency ever classified it as - University of Chicago, concurred. He universities such. AlthoughCentral Texas Collegehad 'afterproposed restructuring American impressivefacilities and offereda wide range the German model, devoted to programsand extracurricular'professionaltraining and research. A of academic - activities,the failureof the institutionwas separatedivision patterned after the German almostinevitable. Becauseof its locationin - gymnasiumwould address the freshmanand sophomore years of study. Harper a rural,isolated area and its high tuitionoost - - as a private institution,there was never an establishedsuch an arrangementat the adequate number of potential students Universityof Chicagoin the 1890s,calling it availablefrom whichto recruit,and financial a juniorcollege, while the upperdivision, or problemswere chronic. Consequently,the junior and senior level, was labelledthe institutionclosed its doorsin 1912' seniorcollege' Those individualsin the 1920swho Similar effotts were emerging in the began exploringthe possibilityof a college Midwest as academies and seminaries forhavano Countydid havea foundationon expandedtheir curriculato includecollege junior which to build. They learnedfrom the courses, and they evolved into experiences of earlier endeavors. They colleges. The {irst such institutionswere qeHllied that a private.Navarro school located in a privately funded, primarily church-affiliated' ruralsetting like Countywould have The first public junior college opened in serious ploblems in attracting sufficient Joliet, lllinois, in 1900. Over the next numbersof studentsand adequatefinancial severaldecades the movementgrew rapidly. resourcesneeded to operatean institutionof Texas was in the vanguardof the higherlearning. Gonsequently, the organizers junior college movement' The Methodist determinedthat a two-yeai college rather Churchbegan Lon MorrisCollege in 1854in than a four-yearinstitution would be more Kilgore before moving the school to likely to sucieed in NavarroCounty, and a Jacksonvilte.Weathertord Gollege establi$hed puoltc institutionrather than a privateone in 1869 and Blinn College founded in would be more affordablefor perspective Brenham in 1883 were both Methodist students. Thus a first class,tax-supporled colleges before they became public collegewas the dream of civic leaders institutions. In the early TwentiethGentury iuflar junior and educators. threeBaptist four-year colleges became The junior college is a recent collegeswith the understandingthat their developmentin the Americaneducational graduateswould be admitted to Baylor junior system. Initially,higher education in America Universityclassified as juniors. Public was availableonly io wealthyaristocrats and collegeswere establishedin Hillsboro,San Temple, emphasizedstudies of the classics.Such Antonio,Paris, Amarillo, El Paso, institutionsprepared young men for life as a and Tylerin the 1920s. The movementwas genleman bui little else. As democracy obviouslygrowing and meetingeducational Expanded,citizens' demands for rights and needsof localcommunities as they struggled privilegesincreased, including the accessto to provideacademic opportunities for their education. Among the first to proposea citizens' postmaster separateinstitution lor the first two yearsof A,A. Allison,Corsicana's coilegewas HenryTappan, president of the and chairmanof the EducationalGommittee UnivJrsity of tvtictrigan. In l8sa Tappan of the CorsicanaChamber of Commerce, maintainedthat in suin an institutionstudents was among the first in Navarro Gountyto junior could matureand developbetter study habits recognizethe importantrole which the before enrollingin a university. William collegecould play in the educationalprocess. Rainy Harper, founding presidentof the He publishedan article entitled "Junior Colleges,"in the June, 1928,issue of Texas convincingto othercommunity leaders. The Outlook. Citingthe rapidlyincreasing high CorsicanaChamber of Commerceannounced school population and the already that its major goal for 1929 woutd be the overcrowdeduniversities, Allison saw the two- establishmentof such an institution in year collegeas the most efficientand least Corsicana. In a publishedannouncement, expensiveway to providehigher education the Chamberexpressed hope that the college opportunitiesfor aspiringstudents, Naturally,would be organized"within the next few Allisonwas promotingthe establishmentof months,"The sebdsfor NavarroCollege had suchan institutionin Corsicana.Because of been planted,and all indicationswere that the recentoil boom,the County'spopulation those seeds would germinate rapidly. had escalatedto 50,000people, and Allison NavarroCounty was enjoyingthe prosperity pointedout that Navarrowas the only county of the oil boom,which had swelledthe local that size in the statewithout an institutionof populationand pouredsubstantial amounts of higherlearning. By Allison'scalculations, 200 moneyinto the local economy. Everything to 300 young peoplefrom NavarroCounty seemed to be ideal for achieving the were "awayat college"in 1928. With a local Chamber'sgoal. "first class junior college,"he believedthat External circumstance$,however, manyof themwould have stayed near home preventedthe dreamfrom becominga reality to study. In addition,Allison maintained that at that time. In March, 1929, Herbeft manyyoung people who could not affordto Hooverwas inauguratedas the nation'snew go away to college perhaps could have Chief Executive. The United States had raisedsufficient funds to attenda localtwo- been ridinga wave of prosperityduring the year institution. 1920s,but Hooverhad campaignedon a Allisoncited other advantagesof the promisethat the economywould get even two-year college. At the junior college, better--"achicken in everypot and a car in students would get more personalizedevery garage." In his inauguraladdress he attentionfrom instructorswho were trained announcedthat "we are just around the professionals.Their primaryinterest would be cornerfrom the aholitionof povertyin the teachingrather than research. Enrollingat a UnitedStates." junior collegewould enablethose students Seven months later the economy startingtheir college careersto adjust to collapsed,plunging the nationinto the Great highereducation without having to endurethe Depressionand sending25 percent of the intense pressure of a large universityAmericanwork force into the ranks of the environment. At the smaller, more unemployed. Millions of others were personalizedschool, there would be the underemployed,working at jobs far below opportunityto learn better study habits and their capabilities,levels of training, and to developthe disciplineneeded to succeed earningcapacity. NavarroCounty struggled in college. Allisonconcluded that therewas along with the rest of the country. Paul more than an adequatesource of potential Moore,longtime employee of the Corsicana studentsfrom which to recruit, With an Daily Sun, related an episode that improvinghighway system crisscrossingthe characterizedthe economicwoes of the county, young people could live at home, county as well as the entire nation. The thus avoidingthe high cost of room and owners of the Daily Sun called all the board, and travel a short distancefor two employeestogether to announcethat the yearsof collegetraining at a campusright at payrollwould have to be reducedby ten their doorstep. Allisonwas convincedthey percent. Workerswere asked to decideif woulddo exactlythat. they would rathertake a ten percentwage ApparentlyAllison's arguments were cut or reducethe staff by 10 percent. In a I unanimousvote, the employeesopted for the resourcessimply were not availableto pursue it seriously. Priorities were being rearranged; suruival was of more immediate concern to the local residents. As the economy began to improve by the end of the 1930s, leaders thought they could revive interest in the college again. However. another external obstacle arose, namely the outbreak of World War ll. Hitler's invasionof Poland Nr Activitie of Texas, Corsicana Facility in September, 1939, plunged pay cut rather than see some of their Europe into war, but America's initial colleaguesterminated. responsewas to declare an official policy of Franklin D. Rooseveltinitiated the neutrality. The Japanese attack on Pearl New Deal in 1933 in an effort to pull the Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought the countryout the economicdisaster. Because UnitedStates into the conflict. The sons of so many Texanswere in prominentpower Navarro County responded to the call to positionsin Washington,the Lone Star State arms. More than 3.500 Navarro Countians got a disproportionatelyhigh share of New servedin the armed forces, fighting in every Deal programs and funds. Corsicana'stheater of the war. On the homefront,the unemployedbenefitted from FDFI'sprograms. American Well and Prospecting Company A Civilian ConservationCorps camp was convertedits operationsfrom the manufacture located south of town near Lake Halbert, of oil field equipmentto the production of providingjobs for young men betweenthe 24Omillimeter shells and 1,000pound semi- agesof 18 and 25. Othersfound work with armor piercing bombs, The plant ran the Works ProgressAdministration (WPA), around-the-clock,employing as many as Despitethose job opportunities,many people 1,000 people during its peak period of in the county remainedunemployed. The production. ln addition, several local Collin Street Bakery providedbread to the businessessponsored war bond drives to needy,distributing it throughschools. County raise funds to help finance the war effott. officials opened the basement of the Rationing items such as gasoline, sugar, courthouse where transients slept on newspapersthey spread on the f loor. Although there was still interest in the proposedjunior college,obviously financial I meat, and tires requiredall Americans, including the people of Navarro County, to limit their use of such commodities. Many constJmer goods were simply not available at all during the war. Once again, prevailingconditions interrupted any plans for the establishment of the college, at least for the time being. Other matters were more urgent, to say the least. When the war ended in 1945, there were two Cadetson Parade- Air Activitiesof Texas distinct directions the American economy could have taken. With the cancellationof militarycontracts or closing of war-related numerousmilitary contracts and the closing plants. Theresimply would not be enough of manywar-related plants and factories,the positionsfor such a large numberof job nationmight well haveplunged into massive seekers. The Gl Bill hoped to alleviate unemploymentnot unlikeconditions during someof the strainby providing$13.S billion the Great Depression. Some economistsin educationalbenefits for the returning were predictingthat as many as 10 million seruicemen. Many of those men had Americans may lose their jobs in the entered the military immediately upon transitionfrom a wartime to peace-timegraduating from high school, and economy,The otherpossibility was runaway consequentlythey had no opportunityto inflation. Becauseof rationingand shortages, begincollege. On the otherhand, many had Americanshad been forced to do without their collegestudies interrupted by the war. manyconsumer goods during the war years. Still others would never have even Becauseof their pent-updemands for such consideredgoing to college becausethey items,they mightbe willingto pay exorbitant lackedthe necessaryfunds fo do so. The prices for those goods. PresidentHarry subsidiesavailable under the Gl Biil would Trumanwas confrontedwith the dilemmaof provideboth the incentiveand the financial trying to prepare for both massive meansfor those men to begin or resume unemploymentand spiralinginflation, their collegecareers. Thoseconditions actually proved to be In addition,the federal government the catalyst that was needed to make was abandoningvarious facilities that were Allison's dream of a college for Navarro no longerneeded because of the conclusion Countya reality. (Mr, Allisondied in 1943). of the war. The Air Activitiesof Texaswas In an effortto preparefor the demobilizationamong the installationsto be closed. of the armed forces,Congress passed the Located six miles south of downtown Serviceman'sReadjustment Act, commonly Corsicanaon US Highway287, the Air called the Gl Bill, The returningveterans Activitiesfacility was establishedin 1941as would find a job marketalready saturated part of a governmentplan to train the with workersdisplaced by the cancellationof thousandsof pilotsneeded by the Army Air 10 Corps for World War ll. Under a plan background in public education, including developedby GeneralH.H. "Hap"Arnold, the C.G. Stricklandand MargaretPannill, both of Army contractedwith privateflight schoolsto whom would laterplay prominentroles in the conductthe training.The civilian-ownedflight founding and early developmentof Navarro schoolsprovided everything except the pilot JuniorCollege. traineesand the airplanes. A pailnership Miss Pannillrecalled being approached composedof B.L. Woolley,B.W. Woolley, by Air Activities officials with an offer to E.D. "Dick"Criddle, Edward "Doc" Booth, and teach in the ground school. Naturally,she J.O. Womackreceived a contractto operate was somewhat surprised at the request. such a facilityin NavarroGounty. Underthe After all, her backgroundwas in music and terms of the contract,the Air Activitiesof literature. Her assignment at the air tield Texas would provide food, housing,and would be to teach the cadets meteorology, civilianground and flightinstructors, and the airplane identification,and navigation,fields Army Air Corpswould provide planes, cadets, which she readily admitted she knew little and appropriatemilitary personnel as part of about. When she raised questionsabout her the training process. The Federal qualificationsto teach such subjects,she was Goyernmentpaid the schoolon a per hour told the main concern was her teaching * tihsis. The school,which was designatedas ability. "They asked me if I thought I could a primaryflight school, was the secondleg teach. I told them I knew I could teach. of a three level trainingprocedure, Upon They then told me they would provide the completionof their schoolingat such facilities informationand teach me what I needed to as the Air Activities,cadets were then sent know." She acceptedthe challenge,but she to basic trainingwhere they learnedto fly admitted that she prepared diligently every planesmore sophisticated than the PT's they night for the next day's lessons,just barely were operatingat primaryschools. staying one step ahead of her students. Air Activitieswas locatedon a 400- She would demonstratethat same level of acre tract ownedby Corsicanabanker, J.N. commitment and talent later as one of the Edens. A large part of the acreage had original faculty members at Navarro Junior been an oil tank farm, which requiredthe College. levelingand removalof those tanks before During its three and a half Years of constructionof the pilot training school operation,more than 8,000 cadets received Gampuscould get u.nderuay. Constructionprimary flight training at the Corsicanafield includeda parkingstrip ?,000feet long and before they moved on to more advanced 225 feet wide, several hangers, barracks, instruction. Pilots from the Corsicanafield otficefacilities, maintenance buildings, and a flew combat missions in every theater of the mess hall-kitchen.By March18, 1941,six war. But as the Allies gained the upper buildingswere completed,and the first class hand in the long and bloody conflict, the of 51 cadets arrivedthe followingday to need for such facilities declined' The begintheir training. Corsicana Field was ordered closed in The ten weeksof traininginvolved 60 October,1944. hours of flight instructionand 140 hoursof The facilitY made significant groundschool in the theory of flight, airplane contributionsto the Allied victory, and it had engine$,maps and navigation,meteorology, an enormouseconomic impact on the County and mathematics.There was also a rigorous by providing as many as 500 civilian jobs physical training program which included and the purchase of suppliesand materials calisthenicsperformed to music,a forerunner used to operate the Field. But the Air of jazzercize. The civilianinstructors who Activitie$of Texas had yet another important taught in the groundschool usuallyhad a role to play in the community'shistory, 11 County educators and business were highly enthusiasticabout the proposal, leadersonce again raisedthe issue of the In the meantime,Nonruood approached creationof a juniorcollege. At that time, the the Corsicana Chamber of Commerce and Navarro County School Administratorsthe CorsicanaCity Commissionwith his idea, Association,comprised of superintendentsand and both groups reacted favorably. A principalsof all the county'sschools, held contingencyof Navarro County businessand monthlygatherings, rotating the meetingsite civic leaderstraveled to Fott Wotth to meet among the respectivecampuses, The with John Murray McGee of the War Assets superintendentof the host schoolprovided a Administration,a governmentagency charged meal, usuallyprepared by the high school with the responsibility of disposing of homeeconomics department. Normally there government-owned buildings and other was some type of program following the propefties. A former residentof Corsicana, dinner. McGee personallyknew many of those in the According group. After listening to their proposal to to R.Aa (Andy) use the abandonedair field as a campus for Armistead. who a college, McGee gave his blessing to the was principal of idea and promised to lend his support for Corsicana High final approval which had to come from School at the Washington. time, the April, The mayor of Corsicana, John C. 1946, meeting Calhoun, and Fred Hatvey of the Industrial was scheduledto Committee of the Corsicana Chamber of be held in Commercewent to Washington to meet with Corsicana. CISD federal authorities concerning the proces$ Superintendent involved in the city acquiring the property. W.H. Nonrvood Once again they received a positive Mr. W.H. Norwood hosted the response,and the transaction was approved, gathering, but callingfor the propefty to be turned over to ratherthan arranginga musicalpresentation the city of Corsicana. or a dramaticproduction as was usuallythe With the groundwork now laid, Mr. case, he presentedthe program himself, Noruood, who had been a driving force Nonruood declared to the assembled behind the junior college project, decided it educatorsthat now was the time to push for was time for him to relinquishthat dominant the long{alked-aboutjunior college. The Air role and turn over the reins to local business Activitiesfacility would be suitablefor a leaders. ln a meetingheld May 28, 1946, in campus, and the returning servicemen,the Navarro County Gourthouse, O.L. motivatedby Gl educationalbenefits, would Albrittonand Ralph Brown were named co- providethe foundationfor a studentbody. chairmen of an 11-member steering Norwood appointeda five-membercommitteewhose objectivewas to devise a committee composed of himself, County strategyto win a county-wideapproval of the School SuperintendentJ.C. Watson, Ray college by means of an election. Other Wallerof Dawson,W. B. Harrisonof Frost, members of the committee included Mrs. and G.H.Wilemon of Kerens.The chargeto George Daniel and W.H, Notwood of the committeewas to explorethe idea lurther Corsicana,R,E. Huling of Emhouse, Mrs. and reporttheir findingsto the groupat the J.K. Bradley of Rice, C.M. Chapman of May meeting. At that meeting, they Kerens, Jim Flichards of Richland, C.M. presented a strongly favorable repoft, Newton, Jr. of Dawson, Buell Robinson of indicatingthat their respectivecommunities Barry, Bruce McOormickof BloomingGrove, 12 Navarro Junior College district. Voters also chose a 7-member board of trustees to govern the new institution. Original Board members included O.L. Albrittonof Corsicana; L,B, Bonner of Eureka: Lloyd Carraway of Corsicana; Bruce McGormickof Blooming Grove: Curtis Patterson of Frost; J.W, Richards of Richland; and Ralph Brown of Corsicana. Some of the early Texas junior colleges such as Theoriginal Navarro College Board of Trustees. Paris,Hill, and Tyler, had been appendagesof the and CurtisPatterson and G.L. Haleyboth of local independentschool districts, offering Frost. The committeemembers were asked classes on the high school campus, run by to survey their respective communitiesthe same administrators,and governed by regardingattitudes about the creationof the the $ame board of trustees. Such was not college, and their findings were the case tor NavarroJunior College' From overwhelminglypositive. ln light of such the outset it was understoodNJC was to be favorableresponses, the steeringcommittee a separateentity from the local independent designatedJuly, 16, 1946,as the date for an school districtwith its own administrationand election to approve the creation of the governingboard. institutionand a 10 cent ad valoremtax rate The makeup of the Board also to providefor its funding,and to choosea 7- demonstratedanother predetermined premise, member board of trusteesto govern the namelythat the institutionwould be a county, institution. not a city, institution. The Board members P.T.A. groupsand other local civic came from every geographicalsegment of organizationsdid much of the work in the NavarroCounty to insure that every area securingsuppoft for the electionby obtaining was representedon the Board. In addition, voters lists and writing letters to every selecting the name Navarro Junior College registeredvoter in NavarroCounty, Others indicatedthat there was a legitimate attempt spokeat meetingsof civic organizationsand to includethe entire county, not just the city serviceclubs promotingthe advantagesof a of Corsicana,in the College district, The collegefor the county. Therewere telephone founders intent was to providean institution canvassingsand door-to-doorcampaigns to $erve the educational needs of the urging voter suppott for the college. No studentsof the entire countY. organized opposition arose against the Beforethe new collegecould assume election,and the hard work paid off. The control of the propetty that was to serve a$ final tally was 1,219 votes in favor of the the campus, it was necessaryto restructure collegeand only 374 opposed,a marginof some of the existingcontractual agreements' nearly4 to 1. The voter$had createdthe Initially,the federal governmenthad leased 13 the land occupiedby the Air Activitiesof Texas from J.N. Edens. BY mutual agreement,the leasehad been transferredto the city of Corsicanaat the end of World War ll when the base closed. The city plannedto developa municipalairpoil at the site. The leasewas due to expirein 1952' but it carried a 1O'yearrenewal option' Corsicanaattorney Jerry C. Roe handledthe transactionin whichthe Boardof Trusteesot NavarroJunior College agreed to pay the city of Corsicana$500 per year for use of the 311-acretract underlease from Edens' Since the lease agreementaPPlied only to the land, it was necessaryto make other arrangementsfor utilizationof the buildings.A contractsigned August 7, 1946, gave the College temporary use of 7 buildings,t hanger,and 2 barracks' The Collegenow had a campus. The following year, July, 17, 1947, the FederalWorks Agencytransferred permanent possession of the buildings, including all fixtures and equipment,to the College. The total value of the propertydonated to the Collegewas estimatedto be in excessof $90,000. With a campussecured and a Board of Trustees in place, the dream of a "first class junior^college" initially envisioned by A.A. Rttison,despite interruptions caused by .the Depressionand WorldWar ll, was now closerto becominga reality. The next step involvedtaking the plan off the drawing boardand puttingit into actionby gettingthe collegeoperational.

14 RayL. Walter- NavarroCottege President' 19#'1956 Chapter II

Lavlng the foundattont'll,e Waller Administratlon. 1946-56

The newly electedBoard of Trustees a junior college of NavarroJunior Collegeconvened for its in Corsicana, A initialmeeting July 22, 1946,and choseO.L. monumentaltask Albrittonas chairman,'L.B. Bonneras vice lay before chairman,Lloyd Carraway as secretary,and President Waller RalphBrown as treasurer. The Board'sfirst as he prepared officialact was to name Ray Walleras the to put everything institution'sf irst president. A native of in place by Louisiana,Waller had graduatedfrom high September,when school in Winnsboro,Texas. He held classes were degrees from Texas Tech Universityand scheduled to SouthernMethodist University. Wallerhad begin, taught and coachedat severalschools in Joining Texas, and he Waller in the Gasfon T. Gooch had for a time school's first served as adm in istrat ion superintendentof were G.G. (Connie)Strickland as dean and schoolsat Rice,a Gaston T. Gooch as registrar. Both men small communitywere well knoqn and highly respected north of personallyand professionallyin the Navarro Corsicana.At the Countyarea. Stricklandwas superintendent time he was of schoolsat Purdonand had seruedas named president assistant county school superintendent, of NJC, Waller Gooch, who had worked with Waller at wasDawson,was principalat CorsicanaJunior superintendentof High School before joining the staff of schools in NavarroJunior College. Dawson in The Boarddirected President Waller to prepare proposed presentit at C.G. (Connie Strickland) western Navarro a budgetand County, and he the next meeting,which was scheduledfor had been among the followingweek. The budgetwhich Waller the most ardentsupporters for the creationof presentedand the Board approvedtotalled

16 $52,500 and was based on a Projected Corsicanain a ratherremote area, and the enrollmentof 200 students. Nebasketball,and tennis. KennethClark was crowd hiredas the first coach. Othermembers of assembled in the originalfaculty included Lucille Boyd, Paul the sweltering Floyd, Eva Crowder,A.L. Whitfield,Sue heat to dedicate Flouse, Ernest Gray, William Thomason, the new facilitY. Evelyn Foley,Jimmie Sue Akers, Margaret What had been Berry; and CharlotteBallard. The faculty a facility to train werewell trained, holding degrees from such men for war prestigiousuniversities as SMU, TCU, Baylor, would now be Columbia,Texas A&M, Northwestern,and the used to prepare Universityof Texas. Althoughmany had youngpeople of secure teachingpositions in publicschools, Navarro County Charles A. Skelton - The frrst they lett those iobs to come to Navarroat to be leadersin student to enroll at Navarro somewhatof a risk. After all, this was a society. College. new endeavorthat may fail. But there Registrationfor seemed to be no hesitancywhatsoever to fall classesbegan September 9. CharlesA. takejobs with the newlyemerging institution' Skeltonwas the first studentto enroll' When "l never doubtedfor a minutethe college classes began the following week on would make it," LucilleBoyd recalled,and September16, 238 studentshad registered. those same sentimentswere echoed by The studentbody assembledthat morningto severalother members of the originalfaculty' hear remarksfrom Governor-electBeauford Since the campus wa$ located Jesterof Corsicana,as well as from other approximately six miles from downtown stateand localdignitaries. Approximately80 17 percentof the first studentbody consistedof semester. "As it turned Qut," he commented, veterans of World War ll who were now "NavarroJunior College was the best thing ready to begin or resume their college that ever happenedto me." He completed studies.Only 44 womenwere included in the his studies at Baylor after leaving Navarro first studentbodY, and returned to Corsicanato open a private Jimmy Morris,a Corsicanaattorney law practice. He also later served as District who was a memberof the first studentbody, Attorney and as a State Legislator. commentedhow importantit was fot' him The fact that the student bodY personallyto have a localjunior college to consisted of such a high percentage of attend. "lf NavarroJunior College had not veterans gave it a unique flavor. The been startedwhen it was, I mightnot have students were more mature than typical gone to collegeat all," he remarked. He beginningcollege freshmen, They were older had visited Texas A&M after he graduated chronologicallysince military service had from CorsicanaHigh School,but he was delayed or interruptedtheir college careers, intimidatedby its size, and he merelycame but they were also more emotionallymature back homewithout enrolling. Then came the because of their war'related experiences' Many of them realizedthis was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity made possible by fundingfrom the Gl Bill and the creationof a local college. Consequently,for the most Pdfr, theY were conscientious students, serious about their studies' It took time for some to adjust to civilian life after their military exPeriences, however. Margaret Pannill recalledteaching class one day when a car in the parking lot backfired. A young man who had been involved in some of the 1946-47facultY and staff most intense combat of the war dived under his desk, years SecondWorld War, and like thousandsof an instinctivereaction resulting from on otheryoung men, Morrisanswered the call to the battlefront. arms. After he completedhis tour of duty, All in all, the studentsand faculty he was undecidedas to what he wantedto involved in those f irst days recalledan do. Also, he had little money. He arrived atmosphereof incredibleenthusiasm. There ground back homein Corsicanaas the new College was a senseof beingin on the floor was just startingoperations. The fact that of sometl';ingspecial and significant,and they part it' he couldstay home,study in a smallcollege welcomedthe opportunityto be of atmosphereuntil he decidedwhat he wanted CoachKen Clarkrecalled a feelingof family to do, and at the sametime be with people amongfaculty and studentsalike, a sense of he knew, promptedhim to utilize his Gl cooperationand suppoftthat almostdefies benefits to enroll for classes that first explanation. This was illustratedhy an 18 incidentthat occurred.during the first year of resemblea tree-linedcollege campus with the College'sexistence. Dean Strickland'sivy-coveredwalls. She and some of the wife became seriously ill and required otherwomen personnel tried to brightenit up numerousblood transfusions. A busloadof somewhatby plantingflowers around the studentstraveled to Dallas to donate blood buildings. for her, and more were preparedto go if Despite the inconveniences,classes they were needed. Becauseof that incident' got undetwayas scheduled. The College Stricklandcommented he developeda strong catalog outlined a strenuousattendance feelingof family towardhis colleaguesand policy which permittedthree absencesfor the students. unavoidableemergencies in each course This is not to say there were no each semester. Absenceson the day problems. Jim Edgar,chemistry instructor, precedingor followinga holidayor from any recalled his first day of classes' His announced quiz counted as a double classroom wa$ completelyempty' "There absence, Every Friday instructorswere wasn't a chair, a table, or anythingin it-' requiredto turn into the dean'soffice a list nothing,"he said, Aftercalling the roll,he of all absencesfor the week. Euneva dismissedthe class and promisedthem that Herod Burlesonrecalled that the community ,+'Whbflthey returnedhe would at least have was obviously unawareof how colleges a lecturefor them. In the meantime,he operated. As the switchboardoperator, she went home and built some tables and frequently received telephone calls f rom borrowedsome chairsfrom a local funeral concernedtownspeople reporting they had home. At leastthe studentswould have a seen college students downtown in the placeto sit while he lectured' Over the next middleof the day. Why, they wondered, several months he struggled to secure weren'tthose students in class? Apparently suppliesand equipmentfor his laboratory,they thoughtcollege classes were arranged were and little by little the College acquired like high schoolclasses, and students materials,most of which becameavailable expectedto be in classfrom the time they throughgovernment surPlus. arrivedon campusin the morningsuntil the Dean Stricklandremembered that he, schoolday was over in the afternoon. point PresidentWaller and RegistrarGooch had Whileacademics were the focal is more one typewriterbetween them, and it was an of the newly createdinstitution, there just A old "beat-up"one that Stricklandhad used in to college than classes. college graduateschool. Eventuallydesk$, chairs, needstraditions and symbols,and obviously filingcabinets, typewriters, and other supplies a new institutionlike NavarroJunior College point' to the and equipment were secured through had none at that lt was up governmentsurPlus as well. first. group of students and faculty to The campusitself was somewhatof establishthem. MargaretPannill recalled that year and an inconvenience.lt was utilitarianin that early in that first school students the buildingswere adequatebut they were sometacutty gathered informally outside near lessthan desirablein appearance.After all, the administrationbuilding to chooseschool those structureswere plain white buildings, colors,a school mascot,and other school name designedfor use as a militarybase with little emblems. Durirrgthe discussionof a concernfor aesthetics.The buildingssat in for the athleticteams, someone suggested the oil an openfield, obviously an importantfeature the name Drillersin keepingwith for flighttraining but not the imageportrayed heritageof NavarroCounty, but eventually tinally for a collegecampus. MargaretBerry, an the talked turned to animals and girl, instructor and administrator'recalled how narrowedto breedsof dogs. One Miss drab the campuswas' lt certainlydid not Pannill remembered, even suggested 19 manager of the yearbook when he was a student at East Teras State College in Commerce. "You'rethe yearbook sponsor," commented Waller, and Edgar continued that responsibilityuntil 1970. The first yearbook, El Navarro, was dedicated to A.A. Allison for his tireless efforts in the late 1920sin gettingthe Collegestarted. Robert Jackson, who later Coach Ken Clark with Basketball Taamin LockerRoom would serve as Navarro County Judge, was the editor of the first edition "spaniels."When Jimmy Morris pointed out of the yearbook. the admirable traits of strength and One of the most unusualorganizations determinationof the bulldog,an informalvote on campuswas a volunteerfire depaftment, taken by the groupdecided the Bulldogsit CoachKen Clark was electedchief of the would be. Perhapsthe fact that President group which consistedof both facultyand Wallerand RegistrarGooch had both been studentswho lived on campus. They held associatedwith the Dawsonschool system practicesessions and at times had a fire whose mascotwas the bulldogmay have truckavailable to them. The departmentwas influencedthe decisionsomewhat. calledinto actionwhen a fire causedby a Students formed various campus faultyheater broke out in the sciencebuilding organizations.The veteran$organized the one cold evening in early 1947. The KVBClub. The ChoralClub and the Drama firefighterswere hamperedin their effortsto Club attractedstudents interested in the arts. quell the blaze by the fact that the water A $tudentCouncil was electedwith Sammy froze in the hoses. After some struggles, Palmerichosen as the first president. There theywere able to containthe fire in one end was the B.A. Club for businessmajors and of the science buildingand kept it from an Aesculapiu$Club for those interestedin spreadingto other structureson campus. science. MargaretPannill sponsored the Mr. Edgar's papers and books were Canterbury Club, a student religious destroyed, but he recalled that several organizationsupported by the Episcopal buildingson campuscould have gone up in Church. flameshad it not beenfor the valiantefforts Studentsand facultYexPressed an of the firefighters. interestin publishingan annualto recordthe Gtubs and social events kept the year's event. In a facultymeeting early in studentsoccupied, but most extracurricular the semesterin which the publicationof a activitiesrevolved around athletics. Many of yeabook was underdiscussion, Waller asked the youngmen in the originalstudent body if any of the teachershad any experience had beenactive in sportsin high school,and workingwith such a publication.Mr. Edgar they were eager to continuetheir athletic commentedthat he had been business careersat NJC, Consideringthe prominent

20 of a scholarships they were given jobs on campus, such as workingin the library,cleaning classrooms, or maintenance work on the buildings and grounds. The money which they earnedwas applied to tuition and fees and other school- related expenses. What they lacked in Navano CollegeFootballTeam resting during practice. equipment and facilities,they made role'n''thatsports played in communitiesup for in enthusiasmand desire, throughout Navarro County, it is not The Bulldogstraveled to Sequinto surprising that the Board of Trustees play Texas LutheranCollege for the first approveda full slate of athleticsfrom the gameof the initialseason. In lightof the very outset. Initiallythe Boardthought they short preparationtime and the lack of wouldwait a year or two beforebeginning an equipment(the last shipmentof shoesarrived athletic program because of the cost the day before the first game), no one involved, but demands from prospectiveexpectedthe Bulldogsto fare well in their studentsled them to implementa program firstcontest. But they scoredan impressive the first year. 21-14victory. "l wasn'tsurprised," remarked Ken Clark,a three-sportletterman at Coach Clark. "Those boys had alot of Baylor,was hiredto coachthe teams. He desire, and we had some good athletes. was the onlycoach. "l was the entirestaff," The footballteam finishedthe seasonwith a he commented. Clark,who had seruedin respectablerecord of 4 wing,three losses, the ArmyAir Corpsduring World War ll, was and 2 ties. hiredin August,and he had to put together Whenbasketball season began, Coach a team, find equipment,and arrange a Glark had a problemin that there was no schedulein only one month. Finding gym on the campus. He broughtthe players equipmentwas the most difficult. There into Corsicanathree days a week to practice simply was none available. Many of the in the YMCA gym. Home games were playerspracticed in tennis shoes duringthe scheduledin high school gyms around the earlyworkouts, while otherstook off helmets countyas well as at CorsicanaJunior High or shoulderpads and gave them to the School.The Bulldogsmanaged to win some substitutewho was replacingthem in the gamesand were competitivein all of them. lineup. Findingplayers was no problemat $uccesson the athleticfield can be all for CoachClark. Becausethe returning attributedpartially to the fact that the players Gl's were eagerto play, he did not haveto who participatedwere quite mature for recruita team. He had no scholarshipsor collegefreshmen and sophomores. Most other inducementsto offer them, only the were in the early to midtwentiesand had opportunityto participate. The playersdid beenthrough some harrowingexperiences in receivesome financialassistance. ln place the war. They had learneddiscipline in the 21 military. Coach a heavy$nowstorm, a ratherunusual event Clarkfor NavarroCounty, which is characterizedby commented,relatively mild winters. Classes were "There is alot cancelled for several days, as most off- of difference campus students were unable to get to betweenan 18- campus. Consequently,the studentsliving year-old boy on-campusfrolicked in the snow. The male and a Za-year- studentsbuilt sleds and hookedthem up to old man, both the buses. The men had a wide rangeof physically and experiencesin the militarydriving all types of mentally. That transportvehicles, so maneuveringa school difference is bus for a sleigh ride was no challengefor obvious on a themat all. football field." Livingin a residencehall provided Clarkadded the some uniqueexperiences for the students. 'dorms" fact that his The were the barracksthat cadets players had hadlived in duringtheir Air Activitiestraining. beenThe rooms openedout on the boardwalks, Homer Wasson suited up for accustomed to and they were sandwichedbetween faculty basketball.Currently Mr. Wasson taking orders members' apartments. Apparently,the is the Chairman of the Navarro made his job administrationhad plannedit that way so as CollegeBoard of Trustees. much easier. to providesome supervisionfor the students, "All I had to do Most of the roomswere designedto house was tell themwhat I wanted,and they did it two students,although there were one or two withoutquestioning, just like they had done "suites"available with accommodationsfor with their commanding officers in the four students. Livingin a dormitorygave the service." studentsa real $ense of being in college, Much of the succe$sof the early even if the campuswas an abandonedair Bulldogathletic teams can be attributedto base. CoachClark. An outstandingathlete himself, Althoughthe Gollegewas off to a Clarkhad an indepthknowledge of the spofts goodstart, there were some problems,most he was coaching, But more importantly,he of whichwere financialin nature. President was a man of characterwho quicklyearned Wallerdid a remarkablejob of managingthe the respect of his players. A rather quiet limitedfunds available during that first year, and unassumingman off the field, he but the budget was strainedto the limit. demandedthat his players pefform with The Board of Trustees found it necessary class. He expectedthem to give their best on several occasionsto borrow money in efforts athletically but to do $o with orderto meet operatingexpenses. The $65 sportsmanship. Severalof Coach Clark's per semesterthat studentspaid for tuition Bulldogs went on to ptay at four-year and fees coupled with the funds collected collegesafter completingtheir eligibilityat from NavarroCounty propefty owners simply NJG. did not generateenough revenue to operate All of the student activitieswere not the Collegeadequately. Some relief came in necessarilydone through organizations, clubs, January,1947, when the Texas Legislature or teams. The students found various appropriated$325,000 to be dividedamong unstructuredways to enteltain themselves. six juniorcolleges that had been organized The old air field provideda "playground"for sincethe Legislaturehad adjournedin 1945. the students. The winterof 1948produced Laterduring the 1947session, the lawmakers 22 passed a bill raising the per capita cafeteria during the lunch period. In her apportionmentfrom the state from $60 to "spare time," she duplicated tests and $100, providingadditional revenue for the handouts for instructors on an outdated College. In addition,the Boardof Trustees mimeographmachine. She epitomizedthe called an electionto raise the propertylevy intense level of dedication demonstratedby from ten cents to twenty cents, and voters those people involved in launching the approved the proposal by a comfortable College. Mrs. Burleson retired in 1980 margin. Thoseadditional revenues generated having completed 33 years of seruice to from the stateas well as from local property Navarro. She spent the latter paft of her owners helped considerablyin alleviating career working the in the Records and some of the institution'sfinancial burdens. Registrar'sOffice. Two impoftant personnel matters Instructorswere equally dedicatedto occurredduring the springof 1947. Ralph the task at hand, Mr. Edgar taught biology Brown, a memberof the originalBoard of and chemistry,both general and organic, and Trustees,announced that he would not be a ran the labs associatedwith those courses, candidatefor re-election.The originalBoard sponsored the yearbook and coached the electedin July, 1946,was designatedas an tennis team. Mrs, Boyd taught Spanish, "+iFitdtimgoverning body that would serve until French,physics, and psychology. She was the electionof a permanentBoard. All the the most versatileteacher on the staff, One originalBoard members,except Brown, were instructor commented that "anything we re-electedto full terms in the springof 1947. couldn't find a teacher for, Lucille would LeightonB. Dawson,a Corsicanaattorney, teach it," Multiple preparationsand limited announcedhe wouldbe a candidatefor the seat being vacatedby Brown. Dawsonwas electedto the Boardin April, 1947,and he continuedto seruein that capacityuntil 1989, a tenure of 42 consecutiveyears. ln 1977 the auditoriumat the west end of the AdministrationBuilding was named in his honor for his many years of seruice to NavarroCollege. Also in the spring of 1947 Euneva HerodBurleson joined the Collegestaff. Her first assignmentwas to work in the testing centerfor veterans. The Collegecontracted with the Veterans Administrationto test returningGls for occupationalinterests and aptitude. Based on the resultsof those tests, the veterans would be advised concerningthe curriculumand trainingthey shouldpursue. After a stint in the testing center, Mrs. Burleson was assigned to operatethe telephoneswitchboard on campus in additionto runningthe bookstoreand servingas secretaryto the dean and the registrar. "l was the entireclerical staff," she commented.She also ran the campus The programfor the first Commencementat Navarro post office and was the cashier in the College. 23 resourceswere simply part of the job for the Brown recalled he was the first graduate faculty. simply because he was first on the list As the first academicyear came to a alphabetically. close, students, faculty, and staff could look The next few years would prove to be back with pride on some rather significanta less stressfulthan the first one. lncreasesin accomplishments.The year endedwith the state funding coupledwith voter approvalof first graduation ceremony, which was held tax increaseshelped to ease some of the June 1, 1947. Thirteen students had financialstrain the College had experienced completed enough hours trom other initially. An appreciable increase in institutions and f rom NJC to receive enrollment generated more revenue from diplomas. Dr. C.C. Colveft of the University tuition and from state funding, but it also of Texas at Austin, a pioneerin the junior required the expansion of course offerings college movement across the state, and the addition of staff and more addressedthe graduates. The first student extracurricularactivities. In addition to the to receive a diploma from Navarro Junior traditional academic transfer courses, NJG Collegewas W.E. (Bill) Brown ol Richland. also offered some vocational-technical He had attendedHill Junior Collegeduring programs. Courses in auto mechanicsand the 1945-46 academic yeqr tollowing his cabinet making attracted significant numbers dischargefrom the Navy. When he heard in of students, as did a program for training the springof 194€ that plans were underway mid-levelbusiness managers. for a junior college for Corsicana,he was The athletic program was also elated,and he eagerly enrolledat NJC in the expanded during the second year of the fall of 1946. The hours he had earned at school'soperation. Guyle Akridge was hired Hill coupled with the courses he completed as Coach Clark's assistant,and golf, track, at Navarro were enoughto qualify him for graduation in 1947. The other 12 members of the first graduatingclass were Dwayne Bryson, Mary Ella Franks. Flobert Jackson, Alfred Lee Lord, Francine Nicholson, Eleenor Norton, H.R, Ponder. Betty Ann Rawlinson, Charles Reed, Charles Skelton, Jimmie Ruth Thompson, and Sam Warner,Jr. The rodeo was a populat event for the studentsat NavarroCollege. 24

I

L. tennis, and baseballwere added to the Sefloritaswas organizedto perlorm at athleticprogram. R.L. Arnold,who taughtin halftimeat the footballgames, Mrs. R.L. the BusinessDepaftment, coached the golf Arnoldwas the group'ssponsor. team, and Jim Edgar coachedthe tennis One of the most prestigious team in additionto teachingchemistry and organizationson campus,Phi Theta Kappa, biology and sponsoring the yearbook. the nationalacademic honor society for two- Akridgecoached the baseballteam to a state year colleges,was formedin 1948. The championshipin 1950, and the state's adminibtrationasked Margaret Pannill to sportswritersnamed Clark Texas Junior sponsor the Navarro chapter. To her CollegeCoach of the Year in 1948. surprise,the nationaloffice accepted NJC's Some of the ag boys persuaded first applicationfor membership,despite the CoachClark to organizeand stagea rodeo, factthe Collegewas in only its secondyear and it did not take a great deal of of existence. Charter membersincluded persuadingon theirpart to get him to agree. MarthaAllen, Helen Ganze, McAfee Daniel, Clark was often called "Cowboy" as a CharlesHerd, William H. Balcom,Jr., Helen nickname,and he had participatedin some Gayle Watkins,William J. (Bill) McKie, rodeosas a youngster.At the first football MarjoriePrine, J,C. Redden,Wade Johnston, -*ffi110u*t, which was sponsored by the Marilyn DuBose, and William Stewart. CorsicanaRotary Club, the team presented Throughthe years,Zeta Omicron(Navarro's Clark with a pair of handtooledcowboy local chapter name) was recognized boots. Consequently,because of Clark's repeatedlyon the state and nationallevels personalinterest in the sportand the urging for its accomplishmentsin various PTK of the ag boys, in May, 1947,NJC hosted activities. the first TexasChampionship Junior College Navarro Junior College reached a Rodeo; which was held at the local majormilestone in 1948when the American fairgrounds. The event attracted entrants Association of Junior Colleges notified from junior collegesall over the state,and PresidentWaller that NJC had beenaccepted the rodeobecame an annualactivity at the for membershipin that organization.The Collegefor severalyears thereafter. designationof Navarroas a "firstclass junior The increasein enrollmentprompted cellege"assured students that coursesthey the expansion of other extracurricularhad taken there would transferto senior activities.C.E, Beenejoined the faculty in institutionsfor full credit. 1947 as the band director and music From the earliest days of the instructor. Soon after he came to Navarro, operation of the College, the Board Beene composedthe school song, uHail, determinedthat the Air Activitiesfacility Navarro."A campusnewspaper, The Growl, would be a temporary campus. In began publicationthat same year. The December,1947, the Boardauthorized Waller editorialin the initial issue was writtenby to meet with officials of the IOOF sophomoreMcAfee Daniel, who later became (lnternationalOrder of Odd Fellows,a men's one of Navarro'smost beloved instructors fraternallodge) to discussthe purchaseof and chairmanof the Departmentof Letters. some propeftyowned by the Lodgewest of LucilleBoyd sponsored the SpanishClub, the downtownCorsicana. The two sides reached Cheerleaders,and the FutureTeachers Club an agreementwhereby the Collegeacquired in additionto her teachingduties. There a 47-acretract which would be developedfor was a FolkloreClub, a BarbershopQuailet, use as a permanentcampus at some a Pre-EngineersClub, an Aggie Club, and undeterminedfuture date. The purchaseprice the 'N' Club for athleticlettermen. In 1950 was $14,176.26. Highway31 split the a girls' dance and drill team called the property with approximatelythree acres 25 locatedon the southside of the highwayand brick. The new structure the remainderon the northside. The three recommendedby the buildingcommittee and acre tract was subdividedinto residentiallots approved by the Board provided for 16 and sold. The revenuefrom the sale was classrooms,administrative and faculty offices, appliedto the purchaseof the maintract. In and an auditorium. The central heating 1949 Navarro County voters approveda systemwas a welcome feature for those who $540,000bond packageto raiserevenue to had shiveredthrough winters at the old air constructa permanentbuilding on the site, field campus. The Board plannedto have other buildings The Air Activitiessite had served the movedin frorn the Air Activitiescamous and Collegewell in its beginnings. Studentswho renovatethem for use at the new location. attendedclasses there commonly referred to 'Barracks The Collegeemployed E.E. Burkhart,a local themselvesas the Bunch," and contractor,to superuisethe movingof those they held many fond memories of their buildings. The most challengingproject in experiencesat the original campus. They the endeavor was the relocationof an commented on the closeness that existed airplanehanger which was designatedto be among the studentsand the faculty as they used as a gymnasiumat the new campus. struggledtogether during those early, difficult Becauseof its enormoussize, Burkhartand year$, Looking back over their experiences his crew had to dismantlethe structureinto during those formative years, many sectionsand then reassembleit at the new expressed amazement at what they site. Other buildingsmoved from the old accomplished under challenging campus would serve as dormitories,a circumstances.Others marvelled over some science building, and a cafeteria-studentof the pranksthey pulled. For example, union building. The administrationbuilding duringone of the bus ridesfrom an outlying was to be the only new structureon the new communityto the campus,some passengers campus. complainedof beingcold. Sincethe bus O,L. Albrittonheaded a five-memberwas not equipped with a heater, they buildingcommittee to plan and designthe attemptedto solvethe problemby buildinga new structure. Other members of the fire in the aisleof the bus. "lt's a wonder committeeincluded John Corley,Mrs. W.H, we didn't blow that bus up," one former Hastings, B. Lynn Sanders, and Lloyd student commentedin reflectingon the Carraway. Albritton,who had been the first episode. chairman of the Board of Trustees, had But now it was time to leavethe Air resignedfrom the Board in 1948 becauseof Activitiessite for a new and improved a potentialconflict of interest, He was also campus.Plans were to meve into the new a memberof the Boardof Directorsof the facility in the fall of 1951, hut the new FirstNational Bank, which was the depositor administrationbuilding was not quite of Collegefunds. Accordingto his widow, completedand ready for occupancyat the Albrittoncommented that he couldwork just beginningof the semester. Sincemany of as hardfor the Collegeeven if he were not the buildingsfrom the Air Activitiessite had on the Board,and did preciselythat. Verda alreadybeen moved to the new location,that Gooch, longtimebusiness manager of the campus was not availablefor use either. College,remembered that a cornmonsight Consequently,although the Collegehad two viduallyevery afternoon at the new campus campu$es,neither of them were adeguatefor was Mr. and Mrs. Albrittonsitting in their use. The Boardand Administrationdecided blue Mercury automobile,observing the to begin classesat the new site that fall. constructionof the new building. She Some classeswere held in the lobbyof a laughinglycommented that he countedevery dormitory,and MissPannill taught an English 26 olass in the science lab. The Sefroritasthe Air Activitiessite eliminatedthe barracks rehearsedtheir routinesat one end of the appearance. Besides,the open campus gym whilea typingclass was meetingat the providedplenty of roomto expand,and that other end. At the same time otherclasses indeedwould be a legitimateneed in the were meetingin the grandstandsin various nottoo-distantfuture. parts of the gym. "You talk about open December6, 1954,was a landmark classrooms---wehad theml" recalledMiss date in the historyof NavarroJunior Gollege. receivedwoid Pannill. On that datb President'AssociationWalter On the first day the new from the $outhern of Colleges administration building was ready for and Schools(SACS) that NJC had been tully occupancy, a rainstorm hit, turning the accreditedby that agency. This meantthat campu$into a quagmiresince there were no credits earned by Navarro'sstudents would sidewalksor paved parking lots. At every be acceptedby any collegeor universityin entranceto the new buildingthere were rows the entireUnited States. Althoughalready of shoes, neatly lined up just inside .+."[1,1*'"entrance. Determ in ed not to track mud into the new building, students removedtheir shoes as theY entered and walked to classes in their stocking feet. That scene was repeatedoften housefor the new NavarroGdlege campus. Aprill' 1952 during the Ddication cercnony and open unusuallY rainyspring. accredited by the Association of Texas A formal dedicationceremony and Gollegesand by the TexasEducation Agency open house for the new campus was (TEA), NJC's acceptanceby the Southern conductedApril 1, 1952. The completionof Associationmarked the highestaccreditation the new administrationbuilding and the possible. Navarrowas one of the first occupationof the new campuswere major institutionsto win SACSapproval on its initial achievementsfor NJC, givingit a senseof application. In remarkspublished in The permanence, No longerwas the schoola Growl, President Waller attributed the strugglinginstitution housed on an abandoned successfulapplication to a highly qualified militarybase. Onlyfour buildingssat on the faculty,a soundfinancial programr and the 44-acrecampus, giving the appearanceof new campus that had just been opened. wide openspaces, but at least it was a real Fullmembership in the SouthernAssooiation collegecampus. Puttingbrick veneer on the after only eightyears of existenceindicates otd buildingsthat had been transpoftedfrom how far the institutionhad come in an

27 incrediblyshort time. campu$,and worked toward full accreditation The College, as well as the for the College. As the foundingpresident, community,was saddenedby the sudden he wa$ the pattern-setterfor succeeding death of PresidentWaller on February11, administrations.Waller was fortunateto have 1956, His passingmarked the end of an had an outstandingand dedicatedfaculty and era for NJC. He had providedstrong staff, a visionary Board of Trustees, and leadershipfor the infant institution. His overwhelmingcommunity suppotl. Those administrationwas a difficult one as he factorscombined with his decade of positive stretchedlimited financial resources, recruited leadershiplaid a solid foundationfor Navarro facultyand staffpersonnel, planned for future JuniorCollege a$ the institutionmoved to its expansion,established a new permanentnext phase of development.

The lirst NavarroCollqe Band.

28 The ScienceBullding - Befterknown as'Atom Hall"

r"if 'H.rl;ir

Class Rooms

Libraryand Cafeteria The original Administration Building at the Nrfield Gampus

Music Room and AssemblyHall

30 Ben Jones- NavarroGollqe President1956-1973 31 ChaprerIII T-heButldtng Vearst The Jones.4dminlstratlon, 1956-73

The sudden death of PresidentRaY other, They had us in alphabeticalorder Wallerin February,1956, marked the end of accordingto schools--Navanoand Northeast," an era for NavarroJunior College. He had Jones remembered.Two years later while laida solidfoundation for the institution,and he was visitingrelatives in Kilgore,Texas, now it was time to buildon that foundation' Jones learnedof Walle/s death and the The Boardof Trusteesoffered the presidency Board's search for his replacement. He of the Collegeto Gaston Gooch,but he applied for the position and was hired, declinedthe offer, preferringto remainin his beginninghis dutiesJune 1, 1956. positionas dean. He did serve as president At that time the campusconsisted of on an interimbasis until a permanentone six permanentbuildings, gnd enrollment was employed. totalledslightly more than 500 students,most The Boardselected Dr. Ben W. Jones of whom were traditionaleighteen and as Navarro'ssecond president. A nativeof nineteen-year-oldsenrolled in two-year Georgia,Jones held a bachelo/sdegree from transferprograms, completing their basic core Georgia Southernand a master'sdegree cour$es before transferring to 4-year trom GeorgePeabody College. Followinga institutions.Jones made no administrative tour of duty in the armyduring World War ll, personnelchanges when he assumedthe Jones enrolledat the Universityof Texas at presidency.Gaston Gooch remained as the Austin,completing his doctoratein 1948. His academicdean, a positionhe had held since professionalexperience included public school the spring of 1947'. He had been the teachingand administrationin Arkansas. In school'sfirst registrar,but he became the addition,he had been assistantdirector of dean when C.G. Stricklandleft Navarroto extension courses at the Universityof jointhe facultyat BaylorUniversity. Actually Mississippi. In 1952, he was named the two titles of dean and registrarwere president of Northeast MississippiJunior combinedinto one position,which Gooch College in Booneville,a positionhe held helduntil 1963. when he acceptedthe presidencyof Navarro. According to his widow, Gooch ln 1954Dr, Jonesmet RaYWaller at enjoyed his associationwith students and ceremonies in which their respective welcomedevery opportunity to get out of the institutionswere admittedinto the Southern officeto mingleand conversewith them. As Associationof Schools and Collegesfor a result,he developeda specialrapport with accreditation."We were seatednext to each the student body. This relationshipwas

92 demonstratedwhen in 1957, becauseof communities,just as the foundersof the illness, Gooch wa$ confinedto his home, institutionhad envisioned. But there were unableto come to campus, Wantingto give also studentsfrom Dallas,Waco, and points him a gift to show their concern,a group of even faftheraway. lt was duringthis period students questioned his secretary, Euneva that the first internationalstudent enrolled at Burleson,regarding what she thoughtwould Navarro. The young man was from Greece be appropriate. She rememberedthat Gooch and was a nephewof a Corsicanarestaurant had always wanted a basset hound, so the owner. ln 1958 Cecil Williams. a students collected money and bought him businessinstructor at NJC, receiveda grant one. They presented Gooch with the dog to teach in an American school in Oruro, and a doghouse, which they painted the Bolivia. When he returnedto Corsicanathe color of the Gooch'sliving room. "Pup Dog," followingyear, he broughtfive Bolivianyoung as he was called, became a Gampuspet, men with him, and they enrolledat NJC. and students would borrow Pup Dog to take home for the weel

33 cultureand helpingthem overcomeproblems allowedto do so. of beinghomesick. Through the yearsthere A group of five Black females enrolled have been studentsfrom Argentina,Chile, in the fall of 1961. Thelma Butcher Mexico,Canada, Germany, Thailand, Hong (Johnson),one of that group, remembered Kong, Vietnam,Micronesia, Srilanka, lsrael, attendingmeetings in the spring and summer lran, lraq, Turkey, Pakistan,Lebannon, of that year in Corsicana'sBlack community. Ethiopia,Surinam, Venezuela, Gambia, Nepal, Duringthose meetings,which were conducted and numerousother countries,giving the and attendedonly by African-Americans,the campusa truly internationalatmosphere. topic of discussion was the possibilityfor Another major change in Navarro's Black studentsto ailend Navarro if they were studentbody occurredin 1961. Seven years interested. She recalled no pressure to earlierthe UnitedStates Supreme Court had attend or not attend, nor did she recall any ruled in case of Brown v.the Board of screening process to hand pick particular Educationof Topeka.Kansasthat the concept studentsto break the color barrier. "l wasn't of "separatebut equal"had no placein the militant or angry. I just wanted an area of public educationand that public education. lt wa$ something I wanted for schoolsmust end racialsegregation "with all my own benefit,"she recalled. She cited the deliberatespeed." The Coutt left the same reasons for attending Navarro that mechanicsof how that task was to be done hundreds of other students had given; to the individualschools. The original namely, "lt was where I lived, and it was settlersof NavarroCounty had migratedfrom convenient," states in the Deep $outh in the 1840s, ShirleyCarroll (Winn), also among the bringingwith them their slaves and racial first African-Americanstudents to enroll at ul attitudesthat were typicalof that time and Navarro that fall semester, concurred. region. County voters overuhelminglydidn't consider myself a pioneer in trying to supportedsecession in an 1861election, and desegregatethe school. lt was just simply more than 400 young men from Navarro that I wanted to further my education." County served in the Confederatearmy Noting that her parents were financially duringthe Civil War. When the Corsicana unableto send her elsewhereto college, she IndependentSchool District was organizedin realized that she could live at home and the 1880s,there was a separateschool for afford the cost of attending Navarro, The Blacl< students, and racial segregationother Black students who enrolled that fall remainedthe rule not only in the school were Lois White Kelly, Corine Haywood,and systembut in the communityas a whole. MargaretEnglish Hall. No Blackstudents attempted to enroll Both Thelma Johnson and ShirleY at NJCfollowing the Brownruling until 1961. Winn commented that other than some Verda Gooch recalledthat the Collegedid name-callingand subtle remarks,there were offer courses in the Black communityof no real problems with the desegregation Corsicanaprior to the actual integrationof experience, Although both commentedthat the campus,but that arrangementdid not they felt more toleratedthan accepted by the work very well, Accordingto President student body and faculty, they both agreed Jones, Navarro had no policy per se that, overall, the integration process was regardingintegration following the Brown relativelypeaceful, Neither Ms. Johnson nor ruling. "We just decidedto play it by ear," Ms, Winn joinedany campusorganizations or he recalled. The Gollegemade no active clubs, but they both indicatedthey were not attempt to recruit Black students,but the prohibited from doing so. On the other administrationdecided that if and when Black hand, they were not specificallyinvited to join studentsattempted to enroll,they would be either. "l just wasn't interestedin joining any 34 of them,"recalled Ms. Winn. ralliesand sittinga$ a groupat footballand As more Black studentsenrolled in basketballgames. They drovestudent buses the followingyears, they beganto assimilate to out-of-townathletic events. MarvinRay, more and more into the student body. a businessinstructor and long-timesponsor Throughthe years,$ome of Navarro'smost of the group,commented that for ten years outstandingstudents have been Black. They in succession,he attendedevery Navarro have excelledin every phaseof campuslife footballgame whereverthe Bulldogswere includingacademics, athletics, and the arts, playing. Many have held leadershippositions in In addition,Los Vaquerosserued as campus organizationssuch as the Student ushers and guides for various campus GovernmentAssociation and Phi Theta events,assisting visitors in findingtheir way Kappa. aroundcampus. They sponsoreda variety The increaseand the diversityof the of socialactivities for studentsin additionto studentpopulation required the expansionof hosting service projects, most notably an studentlife and extracurricularactivities. The annualblood drive. traditional discipline-relatedorganizations In the mid-1960sHistory instructor continuedto functionas they had from the Eloise Stover organizedLas Amigas, a ",ent'liestday's of NJC'sexistence--the Spanish similar group for NJC's women students. Club, the French Club, Future Teachers, The organizationwas highlyvisible around FutureBusiness Leaders of America,the Pre' campus,performing various services for the law Club,and the IndustrialArts Club. The College and the community,as well as Aggie/FlodeoClub was among the most sponsoringvarious campus social activities. activegroups on campus. RanchDay, held Wanda Gillen,one of the latersponsors of in conjunctionwith the annualCollege rodeo, the group, noted that it was somewhat was one of the students'tavorite times of the exclusiveand prestigious,since membership school year. Both students and faculty was by invitationonly and standardsfor dressedin westernattire and pafticipatedin admissionwere rather rigid. Both Las rodeo-relatedevents. There was a beard- Amigas and growingcontest for the men, but all facial Los Vaqueros hair must be shaved off the day after the disbanded in contestwas over. the early Journalism students continued to 1970s. publish the Growl to keep the campus Another informedabout College happenings, and the men'sservice staff of El Navarro capturedthe highlightsof org.anization the schoolyear in the annual. The Student on campus Councilplanned a varietyof social eventsfor was Circle K, studentsincluding the ChristmasFormal, the Comprisedof SweetheanDance, and the SpringFormal. 15 to 20 men, tn the springof 1960,Political Science this instructor Pat Murphy organizeda men's organization service club called Los Vaqueros (The WAS AN Cowboys). Membership,which was bY extension of invitationonly, rangedfrom 15 to 25 men, the Kiwanis Distinctiveby the wheat-coloredjeans, white Club, a civic MargaretPannill shirts, red string ties, and black Western and service hats, Los Vaquerosserued a$ a campus organizationcomposed of business and spirit organization,pedorming skits at pep professionalmen. The objectivesof CircleI 35

I purposes of the programwere to offer college- credit courses in Bible and religiousstudies and to provide spiritual and social activitie$ for NJC students. A committee composed of Ferma C. Stewart, Ralph Evans, and Earl Craig met with College 1978-1973College Board of Trust*s administrators regarding the were to developleadership skills amongits implementationof the program. In March, membersand to be availablefor service 1955,Navarro's Board of Trusteesapproved projectsand activitieson campus. the proposal,and the Church acquired Zeta Omicron,NJC's Phi Theta KaPPa propertyimmediately southeast of the campus chapter,played a dominantrole in stateand on 41st Street to constructa Bible Chair nationalPhi ThetaKappa activities during the Building. Dedicationceremonies for the 1960s. MargaretPannill, Bill White, and facility were held September 6, 1955. CecilWilliams spon$ored the chapterduring Throughthe years the Bible Chair offered those years. Williamsrecalled that in 1965 religious studies courses and provided Zeta Omicronreceived five nationalawards' opportunitiesfor spiritual growth and ln addition,Carlos Moore and Dana Arnold developmentfor $tudents. were electednational president of PTK in In Septemberof 1955,the Corsicana's 1962 and 1964 respectively,and Williams First Baptist Church establisheda Baptist served on the national board of directors. studentorganization at the College" Since Bill O'Neal, an NJC student and later NJCserved all of NavarroCounty rather than honoredas NavarroCollege Ex-Student of just Corsicana,Baptist leaders decided the the Year, recalledthat Mr. Williamstook programshould be fundedand administerHd seven PTK membersto the 1961 national by the NavarroCounty Baptist Association. conventionheld in Wyoming. They traveled In 1956that Associationpurchased property by van with a sign emblazonedon the side directly across Highway 31 south of the reading, "Zeta Williams and his 7 Little campusfor the constructionof a student Omicrons." center, In the meantime,while the building There were also organizationson was under construction,the Baptiststaught campusto addr'essthe spiritualinterests of Bibleand religioncourses for collegecredit Navarrostudents. In early 1955 the West at the EmmanuelBaptist Church, which was SideChurch of Ghristin Corsicanaapproved locatedon 7th Avenue near the Navarro the creationand sponsorshipof a Bible Chair campus. program at the Navarro campus. The

35 The BaptistStudent Union Building Navarro won was completed in 196? with dedication outright or ceremoniesheld on September2, The BSU shared six has remainedone of the most visibleand conference active organizationson campus, providing championships. students with opportunitiesfor spiritual His 90 career development,recreational and socialactivities, victories and Christianseruice. includeda win In Januaryof 1956, the Methodistovel StudentMovement (MSM) was organizedon Perkinston, the NJC campusunder the supervisionof the Mississippi, WesleyFoundation. Tom Tribblewas named JuniorCollege director of the program. The Gorsicana ln the Districtof the MethodistChurch, consisting of Hospitality some 35 churches,contributed f unds to Bowlplayed in purchasea buildingsite directlyacross from Gulfport, ffitrFmfiftiffiI$ffidu/..ii ti?,ri] .'|iriir,l,r,it'iFrt the campus, adjacentto the BSU. Ray Mississippi,irt LeeS mith- Footbal I Coach-1 95 1 ,*Wdlier,Navarro's first presidentand an active 1962. In the Methodistlay leader,wa$ a memberof the 1966 Shrine first boardof directorsof the MSM, When Bowl played in Shreveport,Louisiana, the he died suddenlyin February,1956, the Bulldogs lost to Perkinston.$everal of board voted unanimouslyto name the Smith'splayers were namedJunior College proposedcampus center in his honor. All-Americans,and many went on to The First ChristianChurch and Westminstersuccessful football careers at major PresbyterianChurch of Corsicanaasked the universities. Some went on to PlaY Methodist Conferenceif they could be professionallootball in the NFL or the includedin the program. When a suitable CanadianFootball League. Smith stepped arrangementwas made among the three downas headfootball coach in 1966,but he physical courses denominationalgroups, the organization'scontinuedto teach education ' name was changedto the UnitedChristian at Navarrountil his retirementin 1974. Fellowship.The UCF, like the BibleChair Al Carmichaelreplaced Smith as head and the BSU, offeredcredit Bible courses footballcoach. From1967 through 1969, he and providedsocial activitiesand spiritual compileda recordof I wins and 23 losses. serviceprograms for Navarrostudents. DonnieDuncan replaced Carmichael in 1970. Catholicstudents found spiritualand The Bulldogswere 11 and 1 that season, recreational activities and opportunitiesincluding a victory over Grand Rapids, through the Newman Club. That Michigan,Junior College in the Wool Bowl organization,named for Cardinal John playedin Roswell,New Mexico. Duncan's Newman,had originatedon the campusof overall recordas head coach was 24'7-1. the Universityof Pennsylvaniain 1893. A He left Navarroafter the 1973 seasonto chapter tormed at Navarro in 1956, but it becomean assistantcoach at the University disbandedin the mid-1960s. of Oklahoma. He later was the head coach Despite a wide varietY of student at lowa State University,before he returned extracurricularactivities on campus,athletics to OU as athleticdirector. continuedto be the focal point of campus ln 1961 NJC and the Gorsicana life. lee Smith becamethe head football coach in 1951, and he led the Bulldogsto nationalprominence. Under Smith's direction, 37 Football was not the only successful sports program at Navarro. The basketball team won the conference championshipin 1960. while the baseball team claimed conferencetitles in 1954, 1958, 1959, and NavarroCol lege Bulldog Football Team. 1960. The Bulldogs also fielded lndependentSchool District entered into a competitiveteams in golf and track. joint agreement to build a new football The spott that Navarro came to stadium to be used bY both athletic dominate through the 1960s and 1970s, programs. The new facility was located on however, was tennis. Herschel Stephens a aa-acre tract of land on Highway 31 came to NJC in 1963 to teach Englishand approximatelya mile west of the Navarro campus. Total cost of the facility was $120,000 with Navarro contributing $20,000, while $45,000 came from the Drane Foundation,and the remaining $55,000 from the CISD. Although the Corsicana School District retained ownership of the facility, and it was otficiallynamed Tiger Field in recognition Hsschetslephensand the 1973Tennis Team. of the Corsicana High Schoolmascot, the Collegewas granted journalismand to coach the tennisteam. a use privilegeagreement. The Navarro Beginningin 1967, the Bulldog netters Bulldogshave playedall their homefootball compiledthe nation'slongest winning streak, games at Tiger Field since the facilitywas posting 122 consecutivevictories before completedin 1961. droppinga one-pointdecision to a university 38 team in 1974. Stephens'record of 354-33-5 ChristmasFormal and Sadie Hawkins Days included 11 consecutive conferencewhen the girls invitedthe boys out on dates. championships.He was namedTexas Junior Freshmenwere initiatedinto the student body CollegeCoach of the Year in 1973. Both each fall with nonsensical pranks and the men's and women's tennis teams freshmanbeanies required attire. But all the consistentlyranked among the top ten campus activities were not necessarily squadsin the nationduring Stephens' tenure structuredaround formal clubs, organizations, as coach. or teams. Studentsgathered in the SUB for The Bulldog athletic teams were games of "42," Hearts, and Spades. Rudy supported by an enthusiasticgroup ot Carroll,president of the Student$enate and cheerleadersand a livelymascot. NJC's first a memberof the Bulldogfootball team in the mascot was Beauregardlll, a fifty pound mid-1950s, recalled several spontaneous bulldog of championshipstock. Jimmy activities planned by students with limited Morris,a Corsicanaattorney who had been financial resources. "We would pile into a memher of Navarro'sfirst student body, someone's old car and drive around the donatedBeau to the College. Eeaulived in football practicefield hunting rabbitswith a the athleticdorm and attendedall the Bulldog stick," He remernbered. There were '*',fiootballgames until his deathin 1961. He hayrides,and every Tuesday night there was was buried on the campuswith a granite a dance that ended promptlyat ten o'clock. markerin the Courtyard,designating his final Some of the football players lived in the restingplace. north end of the BulldogGym. One half of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Erowndonated a those "living quafter$" was affectionately replacementfor Beau,another bulldog named called "The ExecutiveSuite," while the other Timbo. His reign as team mascot wa$ half was known as "The Hole." Admittedly rather short lived, however,as he died in 1963. Doc Hanks, president of the Student Senate, and BillyDyer, president of Circle K, directed a drive to raise $200 to purchase the next mascot,named Empire. However,Empire was struck and killedby a car afterthe purchase. ln the summer of 1968,Bob Corley,son of the one{ime Board of Trustees member John Corley,presented a one-year-oldbulldog The original Bulldog G1m was the tast building on the new campus from the named Precious to Corsicana NrtieH Campus. carry on the tradition of the Navarromascot. there was little luxury in either half and The Student Council sponsoreda almostno privacy,but, accordingto Carroll, variety of social events such as the there were some strong ties of friendship

39 made in those livingarrangements. Mayorof Corsicanafrom 1959to 1965. His Besideschanges in the makeupof the interestin Indianculture dated back to the studentbody and the additionalextracurricular 1930s,when he began his collectionof activities,the physicalappearance of the artifacts. Since he was a residentof El campus was also undergoingsignif icant Paso,Texas, at the time, he was able to change. Increasingenrollments required travel extensivelythroughout Mexico, West expandingthe tacilities. In the fall semester Texas, and New Mexico, in search of of 1959,enrollment totalled 579 students,and additionalitems to includein the collection, that numberincreased by 100 the following Readingauthored two bookson Indian year. To accommodatethe growingnumbers culture, Arrows Over Texas and Indian of students,Navarro county votersapproved Civilization.The collectionwhich he donated a $200,000bond packagein 1959 for the to the Collegeconsists of some44,000 items constructionof an east wing to be addedto mounted in 502 cases, Composedof the AdministrationBuilding. The primary arrowpoints,grinding tools, sinkers,beads purposeof the new annexwas to housethe and other ornament$,knives, scrapers, and library, which had been located on the spearpoints, the Readingcollection is one of secondfloor of the AdministrationBuilding the most extensiveof its kind in the entire sinceits constructionin 1951. By the end of SouthwesternUnited States. lnitiallythe the decade,the libraryhad simplyoutgrown Reading Collectionwas housed on the thosefacilities. secondfloor of the Administration,but it was The new two-storywing, which was movedto the GoochLibrary in 1979. completedin 1960,housed the libraryon the A major landmarkin NJC history f irst floor and a theater-inthe-roundand occurred in 1962 when the Navarro classrooms,known as the Englishwing, on CommunityFoundation, commonly called the the secondfloor. In 1968the theaterwas Drane Foundation,awarded a grant of officiallynamed the Spruilland Sue Cook $450,000to the Collegeto constructa new Arena Theaterto honor Mr. Cook, one of sciencebuilding. Frank Neal Drane,founder Navarrois original faculty members, In of the CorsicanaPower and LightCompany additionto teachingspeech and drama,Cook and a dynamiccivic leader in Corsicana, had coachedthe tennis team for several establisheda trust fund upon his death in years. He had also sponsoredthe Cuftain 1938 to finance worthwhile projects in Club and had directednumerous dramatic NavarroCounty. Dranehad long been an productionsthat had won awardsfrom the avidsuppofter of highereducation, serving on Texas Junior College Speech Association.the Boardof Trusteesof TrinityUniversity. His wife Sue, or Cookieas she was called, Along with A. A. Allison,Drane had been worked diligentlyalongside her husbandin one of the leadingproponents for a junior directingthose award-winning plays, although college in NavarroCounty in the 1920s. she was never an otficial member of the Consequently,the directorsof the Drane NJC facultyor staff. Foundationhad heen especiallygenerous to In 1960 RobertS. Readingdonated NavarroJunior Collegefrom the time the his extensivecollection of lndian aftifactsto institutionwas establishedin 1946. For the College. A nativeof Richmond,Texas, example, when the East Wing was Fleading held a degree in electrical constructedin 1959,the Drane Foundation engineeringfrom Texas A & M. He moved contributed$20,000 to the buildingproiect, to Corsicanaas managerof the localoffice bringingDrane Foundationcontributions to of Lone Star Gas. Readingwas active in more than $60,000 at that time. The civic and communityaffairs, seruing as City $450,000 grant in 1962 for the science Commissionerfrom 1957 to 1959 and as building was the single largest private

40

I I I I i contributionthe College had receivedat that the designof the building. When the Frank time. Neal Drane Hall of Scienceopened in the Withoutdoubt, the happiestindividual fall semesterof 1963, Navarrocould boast of over the announcementof the Drane gift was a science facility second to none. In James Edgar, Chairman of the Science addition to the f unds for the actual Depaftment. "That was one of the greatest constructionof the building, the Drane pleasuresof my life when they announced Foundationdonated an additional$25,000 to they were giving us the money for the the library to purchase math and science sciencebuilding," he smiled, As one of the books and other materials related to those originalfaculty members at NJC, Edgar had disciplines.Ben McKie presentedMr. Edgar struggledthrough those early years with less- with a sizable financial gift to buy some specialized laboratory equipment, and the ,, N a v a r r o , , Pharmaceutical Society provided scholarships and additional equipment. According to Edgar, Drane Hall surpassed the facilities of any junior college in the state and was superior to those at many tour-year institutions. "l would have to list Sputnikas one of the major contributing factors to our getting the new Frank NealDrane Hall science building," Edgar commented. than-adequatefacilities and only a minimal The Space Age began in October, 1957, amountof equipment.Nevertheless, he had when the Soviet Union launchedSputnik l, managed to build a remarkablescience the first man-madesatellite to orbit the earth, program, training countless numbers of One month later the Russians successfully studentsin pre-med,pharmacy, engineering, launched Sputnik ll with a dog on board. pre-dentistry,and other science-relatedfields. The first two American attempts ended in With a highly publicized reputationfor failure, creating a feeling of fear and excellencealready established, Navarro would apprehension coupled with determination now have even greater opportunitiesto across the nation. The nation'seducational expandprograms in those areas. system was blamed for America's poor Alongwith PresidentJones and Dean showingin the space race. When President Gooch,Edgar visited campuses across the John Kennedyannounced in 1961 the United state of Texas to get ideas for the new States' commitmentto have a man on the facility. The administrationpolled science moon by the end of the decade, there was and mathinstructors for their inputregarding a redirected emphasis on the teaching of

41 math and sciencein nation'sschools. After Englishinstructor, was namedas one of that reevaluatingthe methods used to teach yea/s ten honoreesto becomeNavarro's first math, public schools developeda new PiperProfessor. In 1971,Lucille Boyd, who instructionaltechnique called "new math.u taughtSpanish and French,was also named The interestin scienceand math that a PiperProfessor, swept acrossthe countryin the late 1950s The Texas Junior CollegeTeachers and early 1960sattracted more studentsinto Associationnamed a male and female those disciplines, prompting educationalTeacherof the Year each year at its annual institutionsto expandand upgradeboth their e,onvention.Navarro instructor$ who received facilitiesand courseofferings in those areas. that award over the years includedJames With a new, first-classfacility in DraneHall, Edgar, MargaretPannill, Lucille Boyd, Lee NJC was preparedto offer its studentsan Smith, and Cecil Williams. The even higher quality of instruction in ManufacturingChemist Association of the mathematicsand sciences. United $tates honoredJames Edgarfor his While the math and science many yearsof teachingexcellence. lt was departments had received widespread obvious from the numerou$honors and recognitionfor excellencein instruction,other awardsbestowed upon NJC instructorsthat areas of the faculty were also being the facultywas a majorstrength of Navarro's acknowledgedfor their efforts. One of the educationalprogram. most prestigioushonors given to collegeand Enrollment continued to increase universityteachers in Texas is the Minnie throughthe mid-1960s.Part of the growth Stevens PiperAward. Each year the San can be attributedto the expandingrole of the Antonio-baststlPiper Foundationnames ten United Statesin the VietnamWar. Young Piper Professorsfrom across the state in menwho enrolledas full-timestudents, which recognitionfor their dedicationto the teaching was definedas a minimumoI 12 semester profession,their outstandingteaching skills, hours,and maintainedat least a 2.0 grade and contributions to their respective point average received student deferments institutions.In 1961,Margaret Pannill, NJC from the SelectiveService System. In other words, they were exempt from the draft. Therefore,many young men who may not havegone to collegeat all choseto enrollto avoid or defer military service. The academicstandards required to maintaintheir draft-exempt$tatus also providedincentives for thoseyoung men to study harderand to stay in school. By the fall of 1965,when American build-up in Vietnam increased significantly,Navarro's enrollment reached an all-timehigh of 1,184students, an increase of nearly250 overthe previousfall semester, Existingfacilities simply could not accommodatethe expandingnumbers of students. Oncemore the votersof Navarro Countyexhibited support for the Collegeby approvinga $1 millionbond proposalfor the constructionof several new buildingson would Ludlle Bo1d,a rxifiatt of he Minnie StevensPiper campus, Local monies be Award. supplemented by federal tunds provided by 42

-r _ the HigherEducation Act of 1964, one of the major pieces of legis lat io n In President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. Among the new facilitiesto be constructedwith the recently approved revenues wa$ a vocational-technical building.Lary Reed, a 1959 graduateof NJC who, two years laterafter completing The AL. Bain Cmtq for TechnicalArte ddg*rir'ii''degree baccalaurgatg at East Texas State, returned to Navarro as a of the NavarroBoard of Trustees.The bond dr:aftinginstructor, was named director of the proposal also provided funds for the new technicalarts division. Reed was highly constructionof a new library. The East involvedin the building'splanning and design, Wing,which was addedto the Administration a role he would play often in his long Buildingin 1959to housethe library,was career at the College. The new facilitywas no longer adequateto accommodatethe completedin 1966 and was named the A.L. bookcollection, The new librarybuilding was Bain TechnicalAfts Buildingin honor of Mr. locatedbetween the AdministrationBuilding Bain, who had served 21 years as a member andthe BulldogGym and becamethe center of the campus as other buildings were added later. The process of removing the books from the previouslibrary location in the Administration Buildingto the new home in the recently completed building was done by students who formed a "bucket The GastonT. Gooch LearningResource Cmter brigade,"so to 43 speak. They formed a continuous line iiliiufi{flfl';,' from the old site to the new one, and passed the books hand-to- hand, and they placed the volumes in the proper location on the shelf when they reached the end of the line. The new facility was completed in 1967 and was named in honor Louis GibsonHall - TheWomen'sGym of Gaston Gooch. Dean Goochdied in 1965,shortly after construction the sale of revenuebonds to generatefunds on the buildingbegan. Reflectingon the for the constructionof two new dormitories. dedicationand namingof the buildingthe The barracksthat had been movedfrom the GastonT, GoochLearning Resource Center originalcampus at the Air Activitiesof Texas in her late husband'smemory, Verda Gooch site had provided the only on-campus commentedhow pleased he would have residencehalls for students. Planscalled for been to have the library named for him, the continueduse of thosebuildings, but the After all, he had spent his career as the dean of the collegeand had demonstrateda new dormswould both increaseand improve deep concern for Navarro's academic availablestudent housing. excellence. ln 1969 groundwas brokenfor the Along with the Bain TechnicalAtts constructionof a new studentunion huilding Buildingand the Gooch Library,the bond to housethe cafeteriaand bookstore. The proposal and federal funds also provided SUBwould also providefacilities for a variety monies for the constructionof a women's of student recreationalactivities. Since a physicaleducation building to be locatedon number of Navarro students had lost their the northwestcorner of the campus. The livesin variousmilitary contlicts, namely the facilitywas to be usedfor physicaleducation Koreanand Vietnamwars, the Boarddecided classes,as well as for intramuralactivities. to dedicatethe new buildingto their memory. The building was officially named Louis A plaque containingthe names of those GibsonHall to honorlongtime member of the studentswas erectednear the west entrance Board of Trustees,Dr. Louis Gibson, a to the building. In 1981the buildingwas Corsicanasurgeon. renovated and officially named the Ray lncreases in enrollmentcreated a Waller MemorialStudent Union Buildingto greater demand for on-campus housing, honorthe first presidentof the college,as Consequently,in 1967the Boardauthorized well as Navarro'swar dead.

44 Upon completionof the new the estate of T.E. Robefts,extending the StudentUnion Building in 1970,the Boardof campus to the State Home Fload on the Trusteesonce again securedthe servicesof west. With the acquisitionof the Roberts local contractorE.E. Burkhartto transform property,the campushad grownto 92 acres, the old SUB into a musicbuilding. Located morethan double what it had beenoriginally immediately west of the Administrationwhenthe Collegemoved to the site in 1951. Dr Jones's administration was markedby several significant advancements in the developmentof the college. He had led the institution through a peaceful desegregation process and assimilated large numbers of international students into the student body. The Ray Wallu Memorial Studant Union Building College had grown numericallyas Building,the structurehad been movedfrom far as studentenrollment and had expanded the Air Activitiessite to the new campusin the size of the campus. Eight buildings 1951 and had seruedin variouscapacities currentlyin use on campuswere constructed since that time. When Burkhancompleted during the Jones's tenure, includingthe the remodeling,the buildingwas named in library,student center, women's gymnasium, honor of C.E. Beene, NJC's first band DraneHall, the TechnicalArts Building,the directorand composerof the school'salma East Wing Annexto the Administration,and mater,"Hail Navarro." two dormitories. Enrollmentat Navarrohad Not onlywas the numberof buildings doubledduring its first decadeof existence increasing but the campus itself was from 238 studentson openingday in 1946 to expandingsignificantly during the 1960s. In 500students in 1956when Dr. Jonesbegan 1962the Collegepurchased 20 acres of land his administration.Increases continued for from Oscar Burns estate. The newlY the nextseveral years, peaking in 1969when acquiredproperty joined the existingcampus enrollmentreached 1,200 students. Most ot on the west and increasedthe size of the the studentscame from the immediatearea, campusto 64 acres. Sevenyears later the with 41 percentfrom NavarroCounty, while Collegebought an additional26 acres from 32 percent came from Hill, Limestone,

45 Eady Hall w*a one of the firstnew dormitoriesbuilt on the new campus.

Freestone,and Ellis counties. Ten percent credit offerings,expanded student services, camefrom DallasCounty and the metroplex and traditionaland non-traditionallearning area, while the remaining17 percentwere opportunities. from otherTexas counties,other states, and NavarroJunior Collegehad enjoyed foreigncountries. With excellentacademic both growth and progressunder Dr. Jones' programs,a facultythat was gainingstate- leadership. However,in a November20, wide recognitionfor its pedormance,a 1973, letterto Boardof Trusteeschairman permanentcampus with room to grow, the LeightonDawson, Dr. Jones resignedas u.., dream of a first-class junior college presidentof NJC to permit a new envisionedby its founderswas becominga individualwith fresh ideas and a different reality. philosophy...to find new answersto the Between1969 and 1973 significantneeds which those of us close to the developmentsin the juniorcollege movement situationmay not see." ln a pressrelea$e, in Tex-asimpacted Navarro Junior College, Dr, Jones eloquentlyexpressed his feelings The StateLegislature created new community for Navarro,an institutionhe had led for 17 collegedistricts in McLennan(Waco), Tarrant years. He stated, "When we rear our (FortWotth), and Dallascounties. Students children,we know that some day we must that previouslymight have attendedNavarro part with them. Evidently,that time is at enrolledat thosenew institutions.Hill Junior handfor me and Navarro,"With Dr. Jone$' College,which was closedin 1950,reopened resignationcame an end to the secondmajor in 1962, drawing away more prospectivestage of Navarro'sdevelopment. studentsfrom NJC. By 1973 Navarro's enrollmentdeclined to 970 students. The newly created colleges in the surrounding countieswere not traditionaljunior colleges but were designed to be comprehensive communitycolleges with both credit and non-

46 Dr. KennethP. Walker- NavarroCollege President, 1974-1988

47 Chaprer W TVe"4,dvanclng {earst 7 he Walker Adninistratlon. 1974"88

An aerialview of the NavarroCollege campus- 1983

1973,Navarro'$ enrollment was slightlyless Followingthe resignationof Dr. Jones, than 1,000students. The campusconsisted the Boardof Trusteesnamed Dr. Lary Reed of 104 acreswith 15 permanentbuildings, as interimpresident of Navarro, A nativeof some of which were structuresthat had been Kerensand a 1959 graduateof NJC, Reed movedin from the originalcampus at the Air 'had returnedto the Collegein 1962 as a Activitiessite. Navarro'sannual budget at drafting instructor after completing a that time was slightlyunder $2 million' bachelors degree from East Texas State The Board named Dr. KennethP. University.In 1967 he was appointedhead Walkeras Navarro'sthird president,and he of the newlycreated Technical Arts Division. assumedthat positionMarch 1, 1974' A When he was named acting presidentin nativeof Greenville,Texas, Walker received

48 a B.A. from the Universityof Texas at The new CoordinatingBoard policies Austin,and an M.A. from East TexasState also requiredthe communityjunior colleges University. In addition,he earneda Ph.D to providecompensatory education programs from the Universityof Texasat Austin. He designedto fulf ill the commitmentto an began his protessionalcareer ss a political "open door" admissionspolicy" In short, scienceinstructor at OdessaCollege, after anyonewith a high schooldiploma oq its which he servedas Deanof StudentAffairs equivalent(GED) could be admitted to and Directorof Admissionsat the University Navarroor any of the state'$community of Texas, MedicalBranch. From 1966 to juniorcolleges. In addition,anyone 18 years 1972, he was dean and vice presidentof of age or older could be admitted..by CentralTexas College in Killeen,and in 1973 individualapproval from the institution'by he was vice chancellor of American providingevidence of appropriateexperiertces TechnologicalUniversity, also at Killeen. in lieu of a high schooldiploma. Someof The WalkerAdministration marked a tho$e students would perhaps be changein directionfor the College. The first academicallydisadvantaged. Consequently, indicationof the new directioncame with the institutionswould be requiredto provide cha.pgingof the institution'sname from assistancethrough remedial courses to help '+hfdVarroJunior College to simply Navarro such students achieve their educational College. The traditionalrole of the junior goals. collegehad been to providebasic academic Essentially,the community junior coursesfor studentswho plannedto transfer collegeswould seek to broadentheir scope to four-yearinstitutions. That had been to provide a wider range of educational Navarro'sprimary emphasis since its founding opportunitiesto as many differentpeople in in 1946, and it would continueto be the the communityas possible.According to the institution'snain thrust. However,in 1968 new directives,the communitywould include the GoordinatingBoard of the TexasCollege not only the pafticularcity or town in which and UniversitySystem broadenedthe scope the institutionwas located but the entire of the state'stwo-year colleges, referring to surroundingvicinity, commonly reterred to as them as communityjunior colleges. Those the service area. Navarro had serued institutionswould continueto providelower basicallyfour countiessince its inception-- divisiontransfer courses, but in addition,they Navarro, Limestone,Freestone, and Ellis were directed to offer expandedtechnical counties, Under new CoordinatingBoard programsto trainpersons in the occupational guidelines,Navarro College would attempt to skills needed in the pafticulargeographic provideas many educationalseruices to as area wherethe collegewas located. Navarro many people in those four counties as had providedtechnical programs since its possible.Although the Collegewas already inception,but under the new directivefrom involvedsomewhat in the programsoutlined the CoordinatingBoard, those offeringswere in the new CoordinatingBoard policies, to be greatlyexpanded. efforts in those areas would be increased In addition to offering academic and intensified.The droppingof the word transfercourses and technicalprograms, a "junior"from the institution'sname indicated third role for the communityjunior colleges the new emphasisand directionNavarro as outlinedby the CoordinatingBoard was to wouldpur$ue under Dr. Walker'sleadership. provide continuing education courses. The missionstatement of the College Culturaland publicservice programs were to committedthe institutionto complywith the be offeredin responseto communityinterests new directivesoutlined by the Coordinating and needs,and they were to includeboth Board. In a statementof philosophyadopted credit and non-creditcourses. by the Board of Trustees,Navarro College

49 pledged itself to meet the challengesof assist with the developmentof resources providing accessibility to educational which could be utilizedin achievingthose oppoftunitiesembodied in the open door policy of admissions while at the same time maintaining standards of excellence. Among Dr. Walker's early acts after assuming the presidencywas to re- evaluate the current status of the College andb fonruHe an olemll ,,,,":,1. j master plan for the future. In that light, he namedW.D. Wyatt, a prominentCorsicana banker and civic leader,to assemblea committee comprised Dr. hlalker and Dr. Reed drscussingthe Master Action Plan with membersof ihe of leadingcitizens in faculty. the community. That committeewould have a two{old charge:(1) goals. To evaluate the current status of Navarro From the originalsteering committee Collegeas an educationalinstitution, and (2) came six subcommitteesconcerned with the to projectthe directionsthe Collegeshould followingspecific objectives: (1) improvement take in the future. The Wyatt Committee of the physicalfacilities; (2) constructionof studied the current status and future new facilities,(3) expansionof the College projectionsof the Collegein the areas of district; (4) evaluation,improvement, and educational programs, research and expansion of educationalprograms; (5) development,human resources,financial communityawareness and public relations; resources,and physicalfacilities. and (6) an annual endowmentfund drive. ' Mr. Gary Brownheaded a committee From those efforts came a Master Action to poll the communityregarding the kindsof Plan or MAP with specific shorl-range, educationalservices and programswhich the medium-range,and long-rangegoals for the Collegemight developin the future. The College. Basicallyeverything the College responsesto that poll provideda basis for undeftookin the succeedingyears would be recommendationsultimately developed by the an outgrowthof the goals that the MAP MasterAction Plan (MAP)Committee. The Committeehad developed, MAP Committee,consisting of eight members In keepingwith the initialobjective, and chairedby Mrs, Att (Gioia)Keeney, was improvementof existingfacilities, work began to analyzethe data that had been gathered in 1975 to renovate the Administration and develop a master plan with specific Building. Few changeshad been made in goals for the College,assign timetablesfor the buitdingsince its completionin 1951, and the accomplishmentof those goals, and it was in need of some obvious 50 improvements. While the remodelingwas Albrittontaught at severalrural schoolsin underway, it was necessary to relocate NavarroCounty. He was electedNavarro facultyand administratorswhose offices were County School Superintendentand in that housed in the building. For example,the capacityworked for the consolidationof small Social Science Depaftmentmoved to the schools with larger ones which would be Women'sGym. ln additionto havingfaculty better.suited to seruethe educationalneeds offices in that unlikelybuilding, instructors of the County'syoung people. Albrittonhad taught courses in history,political science, been a driving force in the foundingof psychology,and sociologyin the classrooms NavarroJunior College in 1946,and he was there,sometimes amid the noiseof bouncing elected its first chairmanof the Board of basketballs on the gym floor. The Trustees. arrangementwas reminiscentof the early When it becameapparent that the Air days of the Collegeprior to the completionActivitiesof Texas site was inadequatefor a of the AdministrationBuilding when classes permanentcampus for NJC , Albrittonhelped were "farmedout" all over campus. The to securea better locationfor the school. Administration Building renovation was When the present site became available, completedin 1976,and at that time it was Albritton,although no longeron the College *..offi6iallynamed the O.L. AlbrittonAcademic- Board, borrowed the money himself to AdministrationBuilding in honorof the first purchasethe propertyand gave it to the chairman of the Board of Trustees of College. Eventuallythe Collegerepaid him NavarroJunior College. at exadlythe price he had paid for the land Mr. Albrittonwas most deservingof with no interest. the honorof havingthe buildingnamed for As the AdministrationBuilding was him. Long interestedin education,he had under construction,he drove to the site attended a one-room school in Bazette,a virtually every day to watch the structure small communityin easternNavarro Gounty take shape. His son, Oliver,recalled the near Kerens. After he graduatedfrom Sam familyteasing him aboutcounting every brick Houston Normal Schoot (currently Sam that was laid. Over the Years as the Houston State University) in Huntsville,- campus developed and expanded, he demonstrated a profoundsense of pride. Oliver recalled that as they would drive by the campusin his father's last years, he would geze at the buildings and smile broadly, obviouslypleased with the role he had playedin the earlyyears of the College, lt was fitting that the main buildingon the campu$ be TheNbritton Administration Building after ranovation. ArrowheadRoom as well. In conjunctionwith the remodelingof the Library,there was a ceremony to honor Verda Gooch, longtime business manager of the Collegeand widow of Gaston Gooch, namesakeof the new buildingand dean of the College, By a resolution,the Board named the courtyard area located between the Administrationand the Library in her honor. She was on hand to assist Board ChairmanLeighton Dawson unveil a plaque, markingthe Verda Gooch Couftyard. With its immaculate grounds and attractive flowersand shrubbery,the Courtyard quickly became a popular gathering place for students and a showcase for campus RobertS. Rqding guests to visit. The Ray Waller Memorial Student named in his honor. Union Building also underwent extensive After the renovation of the renovations during this period, Besides AdministrationBuilding was completed,work serving as the cafeteria for students, the began .on remodeling the Gooch Library, SUB also houseda game room and facilities The book',collection,which had been housed for other recreationalactivities. The new on the,majnfloor of the building, wa$ moved-'to the newly renovatedbasement area. While the projectwas in progress,the library collectionwas moved to the Women's Gym. Library patronswalking on the hardwood floor created more noise than is usuallyfound in a library,but the problem was short-lived. The main floor of the Gooch Library buildingwas redesignedfor use as a counselingcenter, the book collectionwas in the basement, and the upper level housed offices and the newly decorated Arrowhead Room where the Reading Arrowheadand Indian AftifactCollection was displayed. Rid

52 1970s. The Cottege had obviously complied with the recommendationsof the MAP Committee to upgrade existing facilities. In addition, that committee had called tor the constructionof some new buildings. The first goal listed under new facilities was a fine arts The Fine ArtsBuilding building, and that .;+,JF "' goal was achieved time. The SUB was used not only for such with the dedicationof a new buildingin May, campusactivities as the Ex'StudentsBanquet 1985. Located immediately west of the as part of the HomecomingActivities in the Albritton AdministrationBuilding, the $3,2 fall and the StudentActivities Banquet in the million structure contained art studios, springbut alsofor manycivic and community sculpture labs, a choir room, a band hall, functionssuch as the Chamberof Commerce individual practice and rehearsal rooms, Breakfasts and the annual Chamber of photographystudios, and a dark room. In CommerceBanquet. addition,there was a formal meeting room Many ot the old buildings that had been movedin from the original campus were beginningto show their age, and the maintenanceof such structures was becomingmore and more expensive. The only alternative was to demolishthe buildings. The old barracks-type dormitories were torn down and replaced with The K. and ldaWolqrc SpectalEvenfs Center modern apaftment- stylefacilities for studenton-campus housing' designatedas the PTK Room and dedicated The old studentunion building and the music to honorMargaret Pannill, long'time English buildingwere also demolishedin the late instructorand Phi ThetaKappa sponsor' 53 Once again, the Navarro County teamwith a first-classfacility for their games. Foundation(commonly called the Drane With a seatingcapacity of 1,800,the Special Foundation)provided substantial funding to Events Center (SEC) containedracquetball the Collegeto aid in the completionof the courts,a weightroom, dressing facilities, and Fine Arts Building. In addition,funds from offices for the coachingstaff and physical the KatherineCarmody Trust were made educationfaculty. availableto assist in the project. With a The facilitywas named in honor of new and commodiousfacility, Navarro began Kalman and lda Wolens, profninentlocal to promote programsin the fine afts area, citizens. A native of Poland who had most notablymusic and dramaproductions, immigratedto the united states as a child disciplinesthat had been somewhatdormant priorto the turn of the century,Wolens had for severalyears. firstsettled in Chicago,but as a young man, By 1986the only buildingfrom the Air he had beenattracted to Texas in searchof Activitiescampus still in use was the Bulldog a betterlife. Beginningas a streetpeddler Gym. The buildinghad been an airplane in downtownCorsicana, he borrowedenough hangerat the originalcampus, and underthe money to open a small dry goods store. superuisionof local buildingcontractor E.E. Withthe profitsfrom the store,he was able Burkhart,it had been dismantledand moved to buy a small farm south of town, and to the new campusin 1951. lt was now duringthe oil boomof the 1920s,drillers hit beginningto show its age and needed a major producingwell on his property, repairswould be expensive. Gonsequently,making Wolens a wealthy man virtually the Board approvedthe demolitionof that overnight.His new prosperityenabled him to building and the constructionof a new expandhis dry goodsbusiness into a chain facility. Completedin the springof 1986,the of stores acrossTexas. Wolensshared his new buildingprovided the Bulldogbasketball good foftune through various philanthropic endeavors in Navarro County. After his deathin 1953,Wolens' son Louiscontinued to operatethe business and to contribute generouslyto variousworthwhile carlses, The Collegeshowed its gratitudefor the many gifts it had receivedover the years from the Wolensestate by namingthe new buildingfor Mr. K and his wife lda. The first officialuse lor the building was for the 1986 graduationexercises. One of the reasonsthe College was able to expand significantlyduring the 1970sand 1980s was its success in acquiringsizable federal grants for funding several major projects. During the 1970s the United Statesacknowledged an emerging energyorisis due to decliningoil GraduationCermanix are now heldin fhe SEG. re$ource$. The problem was

54 compoundedby politicalconfrontations with providingstudents in broadcastjournalism some nationsin the petroleum-richMiddle with uniquehands-on opportunities to learnto East who imposedan oil embargoon the operate state-of-the-artequipment and to United States. The results were higher developskills neededfor positionsin that gasolineprices and acuteshortages causing expandingprofession. All told, between1974 long lines at the gas pumps and creating and 1984 Navarroreceived more than $5 fear and frustration.American auto makers millionin federalgrants for variousresearch re-engineeredtheir cars to produce more programsand projects. fuel-efficientengines, and the government The grantswhich the Gollegereceived began exploringways to developalternative were administeredthrough the Mid-Tex fuels to replacethe depletinggasoline and Educationand FlesearchCorporation, a petroleum reserves. Congress set aside private, non-profitentity charteredin 1974 federal funds for educationalinstitutions for specificallyto benefitthe College. Original $uch researchprojects. membersof the Mid-TexBoard of Directors Navarro College received a included Oliver Albritton, Don Bowen, $ub$tantialfederal grant to develop a LeightonDaw$on, Dr. LouisGibson, and C.E, curiculumfor the productionand utilizationof Middleton.The Mid-TexFoundation was able ,*sol#i petroleum. receive grants, arrange leases, acquire 'The energya$ an alternativefor to research done at Navarro was property, and conduct several types of disseminatedthroughout the country and businessthat wouldnot have othenryisebeen served as a model for colleges and possiblefor a publicinstitution like Navarro. universitiesteaching solar energy methods The grant which Navarroreceived to and procedures. constructthe live-broadcasttelevision station Another grant funded a geothermal is an example of such an arrangement demonstrationprojecl. Wells drilledon the betweenthe Foundationand the College. campus were used to provide low-cost The grant included a matching funding energyfor dormitorlesand other buildingson requirementwhich could be met by the campus. Among the more unusualgrants donationof equipmentin lieu of money. awarded to Navarro was one which Consequently,the Mid-TexBoard of Directors concernedaquaculture research for shrimp donated television equipment valued at and catfishproduction. Findingsfrom that $100,000 to the College to meet the projectwere later put to use in the state of matchingrequirement. The constructionof Oregon. on-campus residence halls and the The National $cience Foundationcontributionof scholarshipand development provided f unding for the developmentof f unds were other examples of Mid-Tex instructionalvideo tapes for teachingbiology, activities. By the mid-1980sthe Mid-Tex chemistryand anatomyand physiology. The Foundationhad as$ets in excess of $1 United States Department of Gommerce millionand an operatingbudget of $318,000. awarded the College a grant for the Accordingto LeightonDawson, who served constructionof an on-campus low'power as chairmanof the Boardof Trusteesof the televisionstation. The Cook Theater,located Collegeand also as a memberof the Mid- on the secondfloor of the EastWing of the Tex Board of Directors,the College Board Albritton Administration Building, was was able to avoid increasesin the ad renovatedfrom a theater-in-the-roundto a valoremtax rate yet still see the institution televisionstudio. NCTVwent on the air in growand exPand. 1984 with educationaland local interest As part of the new directionthe programming. In addition, the College College was pursuing,the administration developed a radio/televisioncurriculum, made a commitmentto establishsatellite

55 campuseswithin various communities in the seruicearea. Navarrowas offeringcollege therewas a significantemphasis on buildings credit courses in such places as Mexia, and programs during the Walker Fairfield,Midlothian, Kerens, Waxahachi6, and Administration, people remained the Ennis in the early 1970swith thoseclasses foundationon which the Collegewas built. beingtaught in the evenings,usually at the As had been the case from the outset, NC local high school in those respective continued to communities.Most of the studentsenrolled provide its in such courses were adults who were studentswith top employedfull-time, and eveningswere the quality only time they couldattend class. Obviously instructors. ln such course offerings enabled Navarro to 1981 Geraldine expand its educationalservices to a greater Johnston,English segmentof the population. instructor and One rather unique concept that Phi ThetaKappa PresidentWalker explored was the possibility $ponsor, was of expanding Navarro into a 4 year namedNavarro's communityth ird Piper college. Plans Professor, A calledfor adding graduate of the upper Weatherford McAfe Daniel - Chairman of division but Collegeand Sam he Divisionof Communications financed with Houston State and English instructor. locqlfunds rather College, Mrs. than state Johnstonhad taughtin the CorsicanaPublic funding. Timing Schoolsbefore joining the Navarrofaculty in for the endeavor 1962. In 1986McAfee Daniel, chairman of proved to be the Division of Communicationsand an less than Englishinstructor, was also nameda Piper desirable,Professor.Mr. Danielhad been a freshman however. The in the first classat NJC when the institution state was began in 1946 and served as associate Geraldine Jahnston - English expeilenclng editorof the campusnew$paper The Growl. instructorand PhiTheta Kappa economic After thirteen years of teaching in public sponsor. dif f icultles becausetof declining oil prices. The Texas Legislature was investigating the possibilityof closingsome colleges,and obviously4-year institutionswho were strugglingfor survivalstrongly opposed Navarro's proposal to expand its offerings to upper level courses. Consequently,the proposalnever gained significantsupport from state officials,

JamesEdgar retiredin 1973while LucilleBoyd retird in 1975.

56 schoolsin Bronteand Ulvalde,Texas. Mr. librarianended with his retirementin 1987. Danieljoined the Navarrofaculty in 1965. Dr. Louis Gibson, a prominentCorsicana Dr. Walker's leadership earned surgeon,left the Boardof Trusteesin 1987, recognitionand honorsfor himselfand for havingserued 32 years in that capacity. He the College. In 1977 the Associationof was replacedon the Board by Corsicana Community College Trustees presented attorneyRobert N. (Roh)Jones. Walkerwith the MarieY. MartinProfessional The student body as well as the EducatorAward as the most outstandingcampuswas undergoingchange in the late communitycollege president in the United 1970s and early 1980s. While most of States. The followingyear the Corsicana Navarro'sstudents were "traditional"18 and Chamber of Commerce named him the 19-year-oldsrecently graduated from high recipientof the K. Wolens Distinguishedschool,more and more"older" students were SeruiceAward. In 1982Dr. Walkerreceived enrollingas well, This can be partially the MichaelBennett Distinguished President's explainedby the returnof largenumbers of Award for outstandingservice to Phi Theta young men cominghome after militaryduty Kappa. In addition,he was namedto the in Vietnam. Like Navarro'sfirst students, nationalPTK Boardof Directors. they were taking advantageof Gl benefits .,'1*,'1i*''ii'Some familiar people were also eitherto beginor to resumetheir educational retiring after long years of selice to the careers. In addition,Navarro attracted older College. In 1970 originalfaculty member students by broadening its scope of MargaretPannill retired, and three years later educationalservices in keeping with the chemistry instructor James Edgar also community-basededucational philosophy. announcedhis retirement.ln 1984the Board Non-academic collrses or continuing of Trusteesrecognized Edgar's contributions educationcourses aimed at particulargroups to Navarroby namingthe lecturehall in the attractedpeople to campuswho would not Drane ScienceBuilding in his honor. In haveotheruise come. 1975 Roy Reese,long-time biology instructor, Changingsocial attitudes also account and LucilleBoyd, the last remainingmember for the new look in the compositionof the of the originalfaculty, also retired. Mrs. studentbody. Many middle-agedwomen Boyd'steaching career at Navarrospanned who had passed up college for various 29 years. Euneva Burlesonclosed out 33 reasonsafter comptetinghigh school were years with the now taking advantage of educational College when opportunitiesavailable to them at Navarro. she retired in Some came to earn degreesin academic 1980. Dorothy areas,while others took coursesfor personal Hardgrave, a growthand enrichment.Others enrolled in familiar fixture ceftificateprograms that took them directly as managerof into the job market,and still others were the College learningnew skills requiredin a changing Bookstore work place" since 1962, One unique program that brought retiredin 1985 more maturestudents to the Navarrocampus after 23 years was calledPartners in ActiveLiving or PAL, of seruice to which was designed for senior citizens. Navarro. Odis Under the directionof James Spivey,this Kindle's 31- programwas designedfor people60 years year tenureas Navarro'shead EunevaBurlxon retird in 1980.

57 old or above. They couldenroll in non-credit attendanceat various times in the PAL coursessuch as defensivedriving, health and Center,which was locatedin the Women's nutrition,arts and crafts,and socialsecurity Gym: benefits. Some enrolledin academiccourses The internationalstudent population for credit,and a few securedenough hours declinedbecause of an incidentthat occurred to earn degreesfrom Navarro. In a few in summerof 1977. At the time some 200 instances,some PAL memberswent on to 4- lranianstudents were enrolledat Navarro. In year institutionsafter completingtheir studies an effort to identify students who needed remediation in basic skills such a s reading, writing,and math, the College requiredincoming students to take placement tests, and those who scored below approved levels wouldbe enrolled in non-credit developmentaI courses Becauseof their limited background in English,many of the lranians Mqnbqs of the PALgroup boardingthe Navarro College bus for one of many adventures. qualified for developmentaI at NC. classes. Feelingthat such requirements The social opportunitieswhich PAL were discriminatoryto them, those students offeredappealed to its members.A morning stageda demonstrationto protestthe policy. "walking class" evolved into a physical They congregated in f ront of the educationcourse. Monthlyluncheons with AdministrationBuilding as registrationfor guest speakers were both social and summer school was beginning--marching, educationalfunctions. Educationaltrips were chanting, and carrying protests signs, also a significantpart of the PAL program. Students coming to enroll were having They began on a rather small scale with difficultyentering the building. Some,upon excursionsto Waco and Galveston,but they seeingthe disturbanceas they enteredthe eventuallyexpanded to venturesto New York parkinglot, simplydrove away. When the City,the PacificNorthwest, Washington, D.C., protestorsrefused to complywith a directive and the New EnglandStates. to disperse,the Administrationcalled in the A monthlynewsletter kept membersinformed Navarro Gounty $heriff's Depadment, A of PAL activitiesand a directorylisted the confrontation between law enforcement namesand addressesof the morethan 700 officialsand the studentsoccurred in front of memberswho were enrolledin the program. the AlbrittonAdministration Building, resulting On an averageday, 25 peoplewould be in in the arrest of several of the students.

58 They severelydamaged a bus being used to NeurMexico, where they defeatedFort Scott, transportthem to jail, and they also caused Kansas unior Collegeto cap a remarkable extensivedamage to the Countyjail. year for Hern and the team. The Bulldogs The episode ohviously created wonthe conferencechampionship outright in negative public relationsfor the College. 1976.and as a resultwere the hostteam tor Consequently,the Board of Trusteesinitiated the Texas Junior CollegeBowl played in a policy limitingthe numberof internationalGarland. Navarro defeated Northeastern studentswho could enroll at Navarroand Oklahomain that game. Hern'$ teams restrictedthe numberthat couldcome from sharedthe conferencetitle with Kilgoretwice individual countries. Consequently,the and playedin the 1980Wool Bowl,losing to internationalstudent populationdeclined in the New Mexico MilitaryInstitute. Hern's numbersover the next severalyears' overall record was 91-40-2, and his Despitesome changesin the physical conferencerecord of 63'27-1 rankedas the appearanceof the campu$and the makeup best of any coach in the history of the of the studentbody, studentlife on campus conferenceat that time. Hern resignedin did maintaina degreeof continuity. Teta 1986, and he was replacedby long-time Omicron,under the leadershipof Geraldine assistantBob McElroY. ,oU'b-ltihston,Jim Chapman,lleen Ray, and Basketballbecome more prominentat WandaGillen, continued to play a prominent Navarroin the 1970swith the arrivalof John role in state and nationalPhi Theta Kappa Underuoodas head coach. Underwoodhad activities. Long-timecampus organizations been a standout player at Kilgore Junior like the BaptistStudent Union and the Rodeo Collegeand TexasA & M priorto his being Club continued to attract students, but namedNC's coach. The exciting,fast-paced changingtimes were also reflectedin some style of play and the presenceof talented for of the newer student groups on campus' playersincreased interest and fan suppott For example, African-Americanstudents the Bulldogbasketball team' Undenryood tormed the EbonY Club to Promote resignedin 1976 to becomean assistant he awarenessof Black cultureand Black history, coachat the Universityof Oklahomaand while radio/televisionstudents and oomputer laterheld a similarposition at SMU. science students each organizedclubs for Underwood'sreplacement was Louis thoseinterested in those respectiveareas of Orr, a veteran coach who had been an study. Video game$ replacedcards and assistantat SMU and a highlysuccessful in dominoesas popularrecreational activities in head coach at Lon Morris College the SUB and dorm room$. Jacksonvilleprior to coming to Navarro' Athleticscontinued to play a prominent UnderQrr's direction,the Bulldogscaptured role in campuslife. The Bulldogsremained the conferencechampionship and the NJCAA 1977-78 a nationalfootball power through the 1970s Region 14 championshipin the as and 1980s" HaroldHern, a one-timeNavarro season. The Bulldogs repeated player and later an assistantcoach, was championsof the TexasEastern Conference named head footballcoach in 1973. That the followingseason, and they remained year Orr's seasonthe Bulldogsrolled to a brilliant11-1 strong contenderseach under record. Although having an identical6-1 leadershiP. was conferencerecord with arch-rivalHenderson ln 1975 women's basketball Ray, County Junior College of Athens, the addedto the athleticprogram, and lleen defeatedthe Cardinalsin the last physical educationinstructor, was named Bulldogs year, gameof the seasonbefore a crowd of 6,000 coach of the team' The following the at Tiger Field in Corsicana. Navarrowas tenniscoach Herschel Stephens coached and invitedto play in the Wool Bowl in Roswell, team. Because of timited success 59 minimalinterest and supportfrom the student academicquality of some credit courses body and the communityin general,the whichthe Collegeotfered to residentsin area programwas discontinuedin 1984. nursing homes. Following a lengthy The tennisteam undercoach Herschel investigationand extensive audits, the Stephenscontinued to be a dominantforce Collegeagreed to return $200,000to the in the Texas EasternConference. but the State,an amountequal to what the institution tennis program was scaled backed had receivedin state fundingfor the courses significantlyfollowing Stephens'death in in question. Obviously,the incidenthad a 1983. profoundeffect on the futureof the College, Baseball was pan of the athletic not only in the loss of funds but in the programfrom the beginningof the College, perceptionof the missionand purposeof the but the programwas droppedin 1969. In institution. The incident also created a 1983it was re-instatedwith Al Arman as the seriousnegative image for the Collegein the coach, Despitecompeting with such junior communityas well as acrossthe state of college power$as Panola,Mclennan, and Texas. The impressionthat Navarro had Ranger, the Bulldogsbecame competitiveengagedin unethicalconduct was contraryto right away, compilinga respectablerecord, its reputationestablished by a long historyof Withina shorttime, they were contendingfor integrityand academicexcellence. lt would the conferencechampionship, and turningout takesome time for the Collegeto overcome playerswho were continuingtheir collegiate the negativeperceptions that arosefrom the careersat four-yearcolleges, and some were "nur$inghome" incident, Although enrollment being draftedby professionalteams, When remainedconsistent during the episode, Arman became athletic director in 1985, restoringthe public confidenceand the Adron Paul was named baseballcoach, a school'sreputation that had been tarnished positionhe held for the next four years, In by the incidentwould be challenging. 1989 Keith Thomas,a former BulldogAlt- Navarro'sgrowth through the years America footballplayer, was named head was aided by the generosityof various baseballcoach. individualswho donated sizeablefinancial Joiningthe BulldogBand at football gifts to the College. Besides large gamehalftime shows was a new danceand contributionsfrom the Drane,Wolens, and drill team called the Showstoppers. The Carmodyfoundations, there have been other original drill team, the Sef,oritas, had donationsof varying amounts from both disbandedin the mid-1970s.Scottie Arman individualsand organizations.Many of those was the directorof the new group,which giftscame in the form ot scholarships.Civic consisted of approximatelytwenty young clubs, churches,sororities, and businesses women. The cheerleadingsquad also and industriesprovided funding through the changedduring this periodby addingmen to yearsto help alleviatecost$ for studentsto the group. Under the directionof Jon attendNavarro. Some of those scholarships Fisher,the Showstoppersand the Bulldog date back to the earliest days of the cheerleadersconsistently finished high in the institutionand continuedfor many years, rankingsin nationalcompetitions held by the while otherswere short-term,given for only National CheerleadersAssociation (NCA) one or two years. Many of the grantswere duringthe late 1980sand early1990s, given as memorialsfor deceasedfriends or For all the positiveaccomplishments family members. For example,among the of Navarroin the 1970s and 1980s,there highlightsof the annualHomecoming Banquet was some negativepublicity as well, The was the announcementof the recipientsof Coordinating Board of Colleges and GastonT. GoochScholarship and the A. Lee Universities in Texas questioned the Smith Scholarship,honoring two long-time

60 Navarro staff members. James Edgar was 1980,the valueof the land was appraisedat usually on hand each year to personally $135 per acre,according to Mr. Dawson. In award a scholarshipfunded by his former addition,there were oil royaltiesincluded with studentsand given to an outstandingscience some of the land. However,shortly after her student. death, officialsof the Tarrant County Water The most significant Navarro Districtbegan investigatingthe possibilityot scholarshipas far as the amountof money buildinga lake in southern Navarro County. awarded and the large number of recipients Sincethe Ca$tonpropefty would be included was the CastonScholarship, named for M.C. in the lake site, the value of the land and Mattie Caston. Mr. Caston, a native of skyrocketed, and the estate increased Navarro County, had been quite successful in dramatically. At the time the scholarship the oil businessand had acquiredsubstantial program was implemented,the trust had amounts of land in the southernpart of the holdingsof approximately$1 million. County. Upon his death in 1963, his widow Accordingto Mr, Dawson,the Caston inheritedhis estate and eventuallycreated a $cholarshipprogram was patternedafter the trust fund with the stipulationthat the assets Collins Scholarship program at Corsicana

.rt,:'li'P

mi*in, of the first GastonSchotarship Boerd of Directors- BlakeGillen, Leighlon Dawson and Hoyt

wouldbe givento somewofthwhile endeavor HighSchool, lt differs,however, in that the withinNavarro County. The Gastonshad no Caston scholarshipswere available to children.Mr. LeightonDawson, her attorney deservinghigh school graduatesfrom the and at the time chairmanof the Navarro entireNavarro College seruice area, namely CollegeBoard of Trustees,encouraged her to Navarro, Ellis, Limestone,and Freestone considerthe Collegeas a wofthy beneficiary counties. The first awards were made in of her estate,and she agreed. Thus she 1982, and over the next decade and Dawson planned the scholarship approximately$200,000 was distributedto program. some 500 differentstudents from those At the time of Mrs. Caston'sdeath in counties.

61 Therewas one uniquefeature of the CastonScholarships, however. Mr. Dawson noted that virtually every college and universityoffers scholarships to studentsto attend their institutions, Each year at commencementexercises four students received special Graduate Caston Scholarshipsvalued at $10,000 each to continue their studies at any four-year institutionof their choice to completetheir baccalaureatedegrees. "This is the only case I know of," Dawsonremarked, "where a collegegives scholarshipsto studentsto go somewhereelse to study. This is a real unusual program. In fact, there is not another scholarshipprogram like it in the country." The announcementof the GraduateCaston Scholarshave becomea highlightof the graduationceremonies each year. The Walker Administrationhad been responsiblefor many changesat Navarro College. The missionof the Collegehad been modified to provide expanded educationalopportunities to morestudents in the Collegeservice area. Enrollmenthad increasedsignificantly, and the renovationof existingbuildings and the constructionof new onesproduced a strikinglyattractive campus, Dr. Walkerintroduced some innovativeideas not only for the operationof Navarrobut for community college education in general. When he resignedin 1988 to acceptthe presidencyof Oklahoma City Community College,he couldlook back over 14 eventful years at Navarro.

62 Dr. Gerald Burson- NavarroGollege President/989; - 63 Chapter S Into the future: Ine BursonJdmtnistratton. IgBg-

interuiewing of the applicants by the committee, the Board accepted the group's recommendation and named Dr. Gerald Burson to serve as Navarro's fourth president. A native of Oklahoma,Burson had been an Air Forcepilot prior to beginninghis careerin education. He heldthree degrees from Oklahoma State University,and prior to Dr. Lary Heed- ExecutiveVic*President acceptingthe presidency at Navarro, he had spent the previous 27 years as an When Dr. Walker resigned as administratorat NorthernOklahoma College, Navarro'spresident in 1988 to acceptthe a two-yearinstitution in Tonkawa. presidencyof OklahomaCity Community On November19, 1989,with the-faculty College,for a secondtime, Dr. Lary Fteed and administrationin full academicregalia, servedas interimpresident until the position Dr. Bursonwas formallyinaugurated as the was filledon a permanentbasis. The Board new presidentof NavarroCollege, the first of Trustees formed a search committee time such a ceremonyhad been held for a composedof membersfrom every part of the Navarro chief executive. A large crowd College community--administration,faculty, gathered in the Wolens Special Events and support staff--as well as several Centerfor the ceremony,which was followed townspeople.After extensivescreening and

64 by a formalreception in the WallerStudent PerkinsVocational Assistance Act provideda Center. NavarroCollege was aboutto enter wide range of assistancemeasures for a new phaseof its development. economicallydisadvantaged students. Named At the beginningof the Burson for its sponsor, DemocraticCongressman administrationin the fall of 1989,Navarro Carl D. Perkinsof Kentucky, the Navarro had an enrollmentof 2,600students, The College Carl Perkins Career Center was majorityof the studentswere traditional18 underthe directionof RobbyeNeSmith and Mary Dickerson.The Carl Perkins Career Center attempted to eradicate some of the financialand emotional barriers which prevented such students from pursuing vocational post-secondaryeducation. Throughthe Carl Perkins Center,single parents and displacedhomemakers who had custody of children could receive group counseling, career guidance, financial assistancefor day care, textbook loans, current information regarding sd#in**iisHiffi* DarrellRaines - Vice President for Finance employmentopportunities, and referrals to various and 19-year-olds enrolled in transfer suppoftagencies. academic programs, taking basic core Personswith physicaldisabilities could coursessuch as English,history, government, alsofind assistance through the Cad Perkins and biology before enrollingin a 4-year Center. For example,notetakers and tutorial institution to complete a baccalaureateassistantswere availablefor those who were degree. However,the student body also visuallyor hearingimpaired. The centeralso consistedof studentsenrolled in certificateor madeavailable audio and videomaterials to degree programs preparing themselvesto studentswith limitedEnglish proficiency, move directly into the work force. Those Many of the students who were students enrolled in such programs as involvedin the Carl Perkinsprogram were aviation/careerpilot training,criminal justice, adults whose circumstanceshad prevented secretarial/office management, computer them from attendingcollege. Otherswere science,occupational therapy, hardware store returningto collegeto upgradetheir skillsor management,medical lab technology,and to acquirenew skillsrequired in the changing nursing. job market. Althoughmost of the Navarro Many "non-traditional"students also studentbody consistedof traditional18 to enrolledat Navarro. Many of those students ZO-year-olds,the expansionof this new were housewivesor single parentswho were segmentof the studentpopulation raised the beginningtheir collegecareers or returningto averageage of the studentbody to 25' school after havingtheir studiesinterrupted. The increasednumbers of this aspeot A federal programcreated under the Carl of the student population led to the

65 expan$ionof a new programcalled Adult 27 differentstates were enrolled,and there Basic Education(ABE). Begun in 1986 were more than 200 students from 46 underthe directionof Ben Aldama,the ABE differentcountries from every cornerof the program had first been operatedby the globe,including Asia, Latin America, Europe, CorsicanaIndependent School District as a Africa,and the MiddleEast. HaroldCrouch. cooperative effort of ?3 school districts, who came to Navarroin 1986, servedas ABE's basic objective was to serve internationalstudent advisor. His expertise undereducatedadults with basic instructionin helpedthe studentsacclimate to their new reading, writing, and mathematics, The environmentand to become part of the programalso providedpreparation for GED studentbody. The presenceof international (GeneralEducation Degree, an equivalentto studentson campuscontinued a practicethat a high school diploma)and instructionin had begunin the 1950s. The studentbody English as a second language.Since its was obviouslybecoming more diversein its inception,ABE has grown steadily,serving makeup. over 1,500adults in its first year of operation The ElleairProgram brought an added and over2,400 during the 1994-95academic dimension to the internationalstudent year. Navarro's Adult Basic Education population. The Daoi Paper Companyof Programearned statewide recognition for the Tokyo, Japan, sponsored several young quality of its instructionand its proven Japanesewomen each year in this program successesin meetingstudent needs, with the numberof participantsvarying from In June, 1991, a commencementyearto year,ranging from a high of 18 to a ceremony was held for GED graduates. low of 6. Underthe termsof a contractwith Dressedin traditionalcaps and gowns,50 Navarrobeginning in 1990,Daoi hopedto adult GED graduates rangingin age from achieveseveral objectives through the Elleair late teens to mid 60s walked acro$$ the Program, One was to teach the young stageto receivetheir diplomas. By 1993the womengolf skills. Althoughthe gameof golf event had grownto the pointthat it had to enjoyedenormous popularity in Japan, limited be moved from DawsonAuditorium to the spaceand opportunitiesto play made it quite WolensSpecial Events Center, which had a expensive. Daoi hoped to send young largerseating capacity. The 1995ceremony womento the UnitedStates, namely Navarro had 84 graduatesand markedthe beginning College,to developtheir playingskills to a of a new traditionby awardinga scholarship level that perhapswould enable them to to attend Navarro Collegeto the highest competeon a professionallevel. To that ranking graduate of the GED class. end,Nancy Stuart, a licensedLPGA (Ladies Programssuch as the Carl PerkinsCareer ProfessionalGolf Association)teaching pro, Center and Adult Basic Education gave the Japanese women intensive demonstrated NC's commitment to the instructionin golf. (Stuaftresigned in 1994 communitycollege philosophyof providing and was replacedby Kerry Dowlin).Daoi maximum educationalservices to a broad also providedfunding for the women to rangeof the community'spopulation, many of attend, as spectators, several major whom would neverhave enrolledin college professionalgolf tournamentsin various othenvise. locationsacross the UnitedStates, and they Most of NC's studentbody came also competedin some tournamentswith from the immediatearea of Navarro,Ellis, othernearby colleges. Freestone,and Limestonecounties, but 6 In addition,Daoi hopedto introduce percent came from the Dallas-FortWorth the youngwomen to Americanculture and to area, and an additional12 percentcame improvetheir English languageskills-- to from other Texas counties, Flesidentsfrom "internationalize"the young women, as it 66 were. To that end, they enrolledin ESL Navarro had been administering (Englishas a secondlanguage) classes, and assessmenttests and requiringremediation some other courses as well, including for skills-deficientstudents prior to the TASP businessand officeeducation classes. They mandate. With the morestringent demands lived in campus housingto give them the from the state, Navarro and other Texas opportunityto interactwith the other students colleges saw the number of remediation in dayto-day situations. Keiko Inagaki, coursesand the enrollmentin thoseclasses directorof the program,arranged various increasesignificantly, The Developmental culturalactivities for the Japanesestudents to Studiesdepartment became a separateentity exposethem to differentphases of American withinthe academicprogram, addressing the life. Aftercompleting the one-yearcourse of needs of studentswhose basic academic study,most of the womenreturned to Japan, skillswere deficient. but some stayed at Navarro,enrolled in Not only was the student body traditional courses, and continued their changingin its makeup,but it was also studies.The programwas discontinuedat the increasingin numbers. Fall enrollmentfor end of the 1995-96academic year. 1989 was slightly above 2,600 students. One significant change in the Three years later fall semesterenrollment +"d$#demic area of the College was surpassed3,200 students. Additionaland precipitatedby a state mandate. In July, expandedfacilities were neededto alleviate 1986, the Texas Higher Education the crowdedconditions. The Boardapproved CoordinatingBoard (THECB) prepareda a proposalto renovateand expandthe East reportentitled "A Generationof Failure: The Wing of the AlbrittonAdministration Building. Case for Flemediationin Texas Higher The additionprovided offices for the Student Education."The reportcalled attention to the ServicesArea, includingthe FinancialAid underpreparednessin academic sltills of Office and the Advising and Counseling manyTexas college student$. The problem Center, was not unique to Texas, as the same On the second floor of the new conditionsexisted among collegestudents additionwere four new classrooms,additional acrossthe UnitedStates. In responseto the faculty offices, and expansion of the THECB report and a demand from the televisionstudio. An elevatorwas also general populationfor more accountabilityinstalledin the building. Congresshad from publiceducation, the TexasLegislature passedthe Americanswith DisabilitiesAct, amendedthe Texas EducationCode in the requiringfacilities in publicbuildings be made spring of 1987, requiringthe developmentaccessibleto thosewith physicalhandicaps, and administrationof a basic skills test, including persons who were wheelchair which came to be knownas TASP (Texas bound. Other modifications,such a$ the AcademicSkills Program). Along with the installationof ramps and automaticdoors, TexasEducation Agbncy (TEA) and National were made aroundcampus in an effortto EvaluationSystems, the CoordinatingBoard eliminate barriers and obstacles for developedthe TASPtest to measureentering handicappedpersons, and an elevatorwas students' skills in reading, writing, and addedto DraneHall in the springof 1996, mathematics. Those who failed to making its secondfloor more accessibleto demonstratedesignated skills would be wheelchair-boundpersons. required to enroll in non-creditremedial Another renovationoccurred in the ooursesin those areas in which they were GastonT. GoochLearning Resource Center deficientand continuein remediationuntil (the library). The Collegewas the recipient they had passedthe section(s)of the test of a collectionof books, legal documents, wherethey had substandardskills. and other materials,some of which dated

67 back to the 1860s. The collectionhad been ln the spring of 1996 Mr. Pearce the original working law library of two announcedyet anothergift to the College, Corsicana attorneys,W.D. Ralston, Sr. and He had amassed a series of Civil War J.C. Roe. Upon Mr. Floe'sdeath in 1991, documentsincluding handwritten letters from his law partner,Mr. Flalston,and the families UlyssesS. Grant,Robert E. Lee, Abraham of the two men, donatedthe collectionto the Lincoln,Jefferson Davis, and other notable College as a gift to the library. A special figuresfrom both the Unionand Confederacy. room was designed in the Libraryto house The PearceCivil War documentscollection the collection,which included over 5,000 was housedin the CollegeLibrary Archives items, and it was open both to the legal and madeavailable to seriousresearchers. community and to the general public for Gifts such as the Ralston-RoeLaw research. The Ralston-Roe Law Library was Documents,the Hobbits, the Restraints a major asset for students planning to attend collection,and the CivilWar documentswere law school and for those enrolled in the administered by the Navarro College paralegal program, which was designed to Foundation.Originally called the Mid-Tex train studentsto work as legal assistants. Educationaland ResearchCorporation, it was ln addition to the Ralston-RoeLaw re-namedthe NavarroCollege Foundation in Collection, the Library also housed the 1990, and James Schmauswas named Samuels Hobbit Collection. Mr. and Mrs. exeoutivevice president. The Foundation lrvin Samuels, owners of a men's clothing was instrumentalin raisingfunds used for store in Corsicana, became interested in expandingCollege operations and was a vital characters created by author J,R.R. Tolkien part of the growthof the institutionthrough in his works The Hobbit, The Fellowshioof the 1990s. the Fling, and Return of the King. The Not all the constructionand renovation couple commissioned Ludwig Kieninger, a pertainingto the Collegewas takingplace in native of Germany who moved to Dallas,to Corsicana.For a numberof years,NC had carve various characters from the Tolkien offered courses in various locations books. Over a 14 year span, Kieninger throughout the 4-County service area. created for the Samuels 40 intricatelydetailed Navarrotaught college credit classes on local statues of the Hobbits. ln 1995 the Samuels high schoolcampuses in communitiessuch donated the collectionto the College. The as Mexia, Waxahachie, and Ennis. unique craftsmanshipof the statues invariably Obviously,such an arrangementlimited caught the attention of library patrons, and courseofferings primarily to eveningclasses. they have been special favoritesof children ln order to expand its course offerings, who visited the Gooch Library, Navarroestablished permanent locations at The Collegealso receivedan unusual centersin Ellisand Freestonecounties. gift from Mr. Charles Pearce, Mr, Pearce The NavarroCollege BiStone Center had amassed a sizeable collection of was locatedin the heart of the business handcuffs and other restraints,and in 1987 districtin downtownMexia at the cornerof he donatedthe collectionto the College. He Commerceand Sherman Streets. The made an additional gift in 1991 of other building was originally a K, Wolens related devices. A renovatedclassroom in Department store owned by a Navarro Drane Hall where criminal justice courses Collegealumnus, Jon B. Holloway.ln 1991 were taught was used to display this unusual Mr. and Mrs. Hollowaydonated the building collection. Some items dated back to the 18th century and included handcuffs, manacles, leg irons, neck collars,and chain gang shackles. 68 to the Navarro College Foundation, and subsequently,the facility was renovatedto include classrooms and faculty offices. Following a dedication ceremony in August, 1992, with Cindy Hancock as director of the center, Navarro began offering a full slate of both day and evening classes at the site that fall. College officials saw great potential for growth in Ellis County, ',p..especially in the EllisCenter. Waxahachie area. Because of its proximityto the Metroplex the two centers. By the fall of 1995, the areaof Dallasand Fort Worth,northern Ellis BiStone Center had approximately 400 Countywas experiencingsignificant growth. students,while about 900 studentsattended In addition,the FederalGovernment proposed classes at the Ellis Gounty campus with the constructionof a SuperconductingSuper expectations of even greater enrollments. Collider,(the SSC),a giant"atom smasher," However, the SuperColliderproject became to be located near Waxahachie.embroiledin politicalconflict, and eventually Expectationswere that the project would Congress canceled funding for the facility enhancethe alreadygrowing population and after a substantial amount of work had economyof the region. already been completed. The project was Plans called for Navarro to be abruptlydiscontinued. Consequently,Navarro involvedin some of the educationalphases had to restructure it plans for the of the SSG prolect. Consequently,to meet Waxahachie Center in regard to course increasingdemands for its services,the offerings and programs, concentrating on Collegeacquired a buildingon John Arden more traditionalclasses instead of those that Drive. Situatedon a six acre tract, the would have been especiallygeared toward 37,000 square foot structure had been a the SSC, Enrollmentsat the Ellis Center woodworkingfacility owned and operatedby continuedto increase but not as dramatically J. M. Alderdicelll as the AlderdiceWoodcraft as anticipatedprior to the cancellationof the Company. Upon Mr. Alderdice'sdeath, the ssc, NavarroCollege Foundation purchased the Meanwhile,as changeswere occurring property from his widow in 1991 and in someareas, some activities remained the renovatedthe structureto includeclassrooms same. The NavarroBulldog athletic program and offices. Followinga dedicationceremony continuedto excelon the field of competition. in August of that year, Navarro began Coach Bob McElrcyled to the Bulldogsto offeringcour$es at the Ellis CountyCenter in nationalprominence. A highly successful the fall semester. Dr. Larry Gilbeftserves 1987tootball season was cappedoff with a as center director. 47-38Bulldog victory over MesaCommunity Enrollmentincreased consistently at Collegein the Valleyof the Sun Bowl in

59 tournament each year, playing competitive basketball against some of the best Z-year college basketballprograms in the nation, barely missing the opportunity to advance to the nationaltournament on several occasions. The Bulldog baseball program, led by coach Keith Thomas,became a conference power The Bulldogsce/ebrafe their NJCM nationalchampionship title. in the 1990s. A major step forward Phoenix,Arizona. The 1988ended with the came in 1989 with the completionof a new bulldogslosing to KansasJunior College in baseballfield on campus. Prior to that time, the JayhawkBowl in Cotfeyville,Kansas. The the Bulldogsplayed their home games at a 1991 Bulldogs defeated Dixie Community field located in the Corsicana City Park. lt Collegein the DixieBowl in Utahin 1991. was both inadequatein size and inconvenient But the highlightcame when McElroy's1989 in location. Located immediately behind team claimed the NJCAA national Drane Hall, the new field wa$ named in championship.In the title gameplayed in honor of Perry D. "Peno" Graham. A Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Bulldogs defeated successfulDallas retailer,Graham had ties to EllsworthCommunity College of lowa by a Corsicana. Upon his death, he left a trust scoreof 41 to 17, a climaxto a perfect11-0 fund to be administered by Corsicana's season. Several members of the NationsBank with broad guidelines regarding championshipteam continuedtheir football the use of the monies. As a young man, careersat majoruniversities and threewere Graham had played semi'pro baseball,and eventually drafted by National Football he remained an avid fan of the sport Leagueteams. AlthoughNavarro's football throughouthis life. Consequently,executor$ programhad consistentlyranked among the of his estate determinedthat the new NC strongestin the nation,the 1989team was baseball diamond would be an appropriate the only one to claim a nationaltitle. recipient of funds from the Graham trust. LouisOris basketballteams continued The baseballteam began play at the Graham to be a competitiveforce in the Texas field in the 1989 season. Many Bulldog EasternAthletic Conference. Beginningin baseball players continued their careers at 1993,the Conferenceheld a championshipmajor colleges and several were drafted by tournament in Waco to decide its professionalteams. The Bulldogs claimed repre$entativeto the nationaltournament held the conterencechampionship in 1994, 1995, each year in Hutchinson,Kansas. Orr's and 1996. Bulldogs were strong contendersin the In 1988 a golf team was added to the 70 Navarroathletic program. A formerNavarro groups such as the drill team, the student,Roark Montgomery,was namedgolf cheerleaders,and the band make students coach, and within a short time, he led the feel more like they were really "going to Bulldog linksters to national prominence.college"rather than merely attendingclasses. Therewere outstandingindividual performers In addition to the varsity sports, as well as notableteam accomplishments.Navarro had an active intramuralprogram, In the first I years of its existenoe,the allowingstudents to compete in a variety of Bulldoggolfers finished among the nation's activities. In addition, students living on top ten team 3 times. campus keep physically fit by playing ln 1993 a women'svolleyball team racquetball on the courts in the Special was added to the Navarro athletic program. Tina Vaughn, a former volleyballstandout at Baylor University, coached the team. '*Thfting advantageof the growingpopularity of the sport among area high schools, Vaughnwas able to n-iA'|attract outstanding players from the Navarro College service area, and she consistently fielded highly competitiveteams. .Oklahoma" Besides her The 1996Hoduction of playd to a sold out crowd. duties with the volleyballteam, Vaughn also coachedthe Events Center,working out in the weight Bulldog msn's and women'stennis teams. room in Gibson Hall, and playing "beach NC tennisteams had beena nationalpower volley[all"on coutts constructednear the throughoutthe 1970sand intothe mid-1980s,dormitories.There are also less strenuous at which time the program had been activitiesin the Game Room in the Student restructured.Under Vaughn's direction and UnionBuilding. rebuilding,the tennis program began a The Bulldog cheerleadersand the resurgence,hoping to regainthe statusit had Showstoppershave pertormed in the National once enjoyed. CheerleadersAssociation national competition The availabilityof a full scaleathletic eachyear, and consistentlyranked in the top programhas made Navarrounique among group$ in the country,despite competing two-yearcolleges, giving the institutionmore againstmuch larger institutions. of a true college atmosphere. Many Other extracurricularactivities also communitycolleges are merely commuter claimed students'time and energy. The schools with few extracurricularactivities MusicDepartment was highlyvisible both on availablefor students,but Navarro'ssports the campusand in the community.Each fall program and its accompanyingsupport in conjunctionwith HomecomingActivities,

71 the ChoralDepartment under the directionof in the lower levelof the librarywas available DavidTimmerman presents "Fall Capers," an to students,resulting in word processorsand extravaganzafeaturing a wide variety of printersreplacing typewriters to produce term music ranging from classicalto country- papers. Many faculty members and westernto barbershopquartet harmony. In administrators"guded the net," exploringthe the spring, students from the choral, lnternet in seeking information and data instrumental,dance, and dramadepartments regarding a wide variety of topics. combinetheir talents for the springmusical, In the classroom,VCRs, videos, laser featuring such well known Broadway disc players, and compact discs (cd's) productionsas "Hello,Dolly," "Fiddler on the replacedf ilm strips and 16 mm projectorsto Roof," "Oklahoma,""The UnsinkableMolly supplement class lectures. Some classes Brown,"and "My Fair Lady," Presentedin utilized various computerized activities to Dawson Auditorium,the productionshave complement traditional lectures, and many providedan excellentopportunity for students instructors used the computer to generate to display their talents, and they play to tests and handoutmaterials and to calculate capacityaudiences at each showing, grades and keep up with various student Navarroinstrumentalists and vocalists records. Some students enrolled in presentconcefts each Christmasseason. As telecourseswhich involvedtheir receivingthe part of Corsicana'sannual community-widecourse material from watching video tapes Christmascelebration called the Festivalof and reading assigned texts rather than Lights, the College has displayeda giant attending a designatedclass at a specific Christmastree and other decorationsin front time. Plans also called for various other of the Administration Building,The Music Departmentcombines its Christmasconced with the ceremonial tree lighting by providing appropriate music of the season for the occasion. Whilemany of the traditionalcourses an d activities continuedon campus, the emergence of technology in every aspect of the life of the became College Carol Hamann,Pam Angtinand Dr. RichardMiller wereamong the racipientsof the more and more NISODaward for teachingexcellence. apparent. For example,the library movedfrom the long standingcard catalogue techniquesof distance learning via live to an electronicsystem, enabling students to broadcast of classes. Electronic mail, examinethe holdingsby computer, There commonlycalled E-Mail,replaced much of was also an electronicsystem allowing for the papercommununications and memosthat faster methodsof doing researchfor papers had been so commonplacearound campus requiredin variousclasses. A computerlab for so manyyears, 72 Begistrationalso becamepart of the In 1994 Dr, Tommy Stringerwas also technologyexplosion. The long tedious named by the Fiper Foundationas a Piper processof selectingcourses and choosing Professor. Dr. Stringerjoined the Navarro class times and instructorsbecame rather taculty in 1972 as a history instructor. ln simplifiedas studentsand advisorscompiled additionto his work in the classroomand as a scheduleby meansof a computer. director of the Division of Humanitiesand Although machinesbecame a vital Physical Education,Dr. Stringer researched part of the life of NavarroCollege, people have remainedthe heart of the institution. Outstanding instructors had been a longstandingpaft of the Navarrotradition, and various faculty members earned recognition for the College and for themselvesthrough awards they received. Each year the facultychose from amongits ranks individualinstructors to be recognized at the annualNISOD (National Institute for .*"St'dif and Organizational Development) Convention.Among Navarro recipients of the NISOD award for teachingexceflence were Dr. Richard Miller (Psychology and Sociology);Pam Anglin (Accounting);Carol Hamann (DevelopmentalReading); Don Mershawn (Computer Science); Amy Patterson (English); Jim Chapman (Government);Lynn Anderson (Developmental Homer Wasson, Chairman of the Navarro College Reading); Pat Johnson (Nursing);John Board of Trustees. Garner (Management); Tom Knox (Management);and Lisa Dillman(Biology). and wrote extensivelyabout the history of In 1994 Jim Chapman received NavarroCounty and the city of Corsicana. national recognitionfrom the American McAfee Daniel, who was named Piper Associationof CommunityColleges (AACC) Professorin 1984,Dr. Miller,and Dr. Stringer for a special project he developedusing gave Navarrothree active Piper Professors computerized instruction in teaching on its faculty,a uniquedistinction for any government, He receivedhis award at the collegeor university. AmericanAssociation of CommunityColleges In the spring of 1996, Board of (AACC)national convention in Washington,Trusteeschairman Homer Wasson received D.G. word that Dr. Bursonhad been selectedby In 1989 Dr. RichardMiller, instructor the Association of Community College of psychology and sociology, became Trustees (ACCT) to receive the Western Navarro'sfifth Piper Professor, Dr. Miller RegionChief Executive Officer Award. Each joined the Navarrofaculty in 1977, after year the ACCT recognizesone exemplary havingtaught in variousother collegesand communitycollege president in each of its universitiesin Californiaand Texas. He also five regions. The WesternRegion consists received national recognition for his of eleven states and three Canadian sponsorshipof Navarro'schapter of Psi Beta, provinces.At the awardsceremony held in a national honor society for studentsof Phoenix,Arizona, the presenterelaborated on psychology. Navarro'saccomplishments under Burson's

7g leadership. A numberof Navarrofaculty members were adive in stateorganizations and serued on various committees peftainingto their individual disciplines. Many made presentationsand read papers at state, regional,and nationalmeetings. Without question,outstanding and dedicatedfaculty and stafl that had been part of the Navarro tradition since the institution'sfounding continuedas the Coltegeapproached its 50th anniversary. Navarro's reputation for overall excellencereceived strong supportfrom the lnstitutionalSe[-Study,. which was completed in 1995. For a collegeor universitylocated in the 11 states of the Southernregion of the United States to be fully accredited,it must meet specificcriteria outlined by the SouthemAssociation of Collegesand $chools (SAGS). accredited Navarrohad first been Dr. LindaTimmerman,Academic Dean, playd a 4najor by the SouthernAssociation in 1954,and the role in recruiting the John Deere Program to Npvarro accreditationhas to be reaffirmedevery ten Gollege. :!: years. The processfor the reaffirmationof accreditationentails an extensive internal criteria. ln almostevery ca$e, the comniittee exeminationof the entire operationof the always has suggestions ancUor institution including its financial status, recommendations,but the visitingcommittee academic programs,facilities, faculty and that came,to Navarroin the springof 1995 administrativecredentials, and extracurricularhad no recommendationsto offer, a situation activities.The entireself-study process takes that is virtuallyunheard of in the SACS approximatelytwo years to complete,and it accreditationprocess. involves the entire college cQmmunity, Navarro's 1995 Self-$tudy including administrators,faculty members, Reaffirmation Accreditation Repoft was suppoft staff, and students, $eruing 0n differentfrom the tradionalapproach. NC was variouscommittees to investigateevery facet selected as one of only three two-year of the college. collegesin the entireSouthern Association After the institutionhas examined regionto pilot test a new approachto the itself in light of the prescribedcriteria, a accreditationprocess. The typicaloelf-study team of educatorslrom other institutionsin lookedback at the previousten years of the other states visits the campus,reads the institution'soperations to see how effectively institutionalself-study report, and examines it compliedwith the stated criteria. While documents and conducts interviews with Navarrodid preciselythat, the new approach collegepersonnel to see if, in fact, the repoft added an extendedfacet to the,.process. lt accuratelyrepresents the institutionand its callednot only for lookingbackward to the operation. Followingtheir examination,the previousdecade but also a lookingforuard visiting committee then ofters suggestions to the upcomingten yearswith specificgoals and/or recommendationsto bring the and objectiveswhich the Collegeplanned to institutioninto full compliancewith the SACS accomplishas it moved fotward into the

74 on" experience in learningto seruicethe sophisticatedmachines, The College constructed a new buildingon the north end of the camPusto house the program. Students, who were sponsored by John Deeredealers from all over Texas and Oklahoma, were carefullyscreened for academic competence and mechanical Th,eJohn DeereAg Tech Cmter aptitude before being ** the "&i{$# admitted to future. To that end, Navarrocompiled a program. StrategicFocus Plan containinggoals and lmplementedin the fall of 1995, the timelines which the institutionhoped to program was filled to capacitY almost in the next ten immediatelY. Plans call for adding an accomplish Years. managing Anotherindicator of Navarro'slooking extensionof the programto include dealers' to the future was the implementationof a a parts depaftmentfor John Deere physicalappearance new programin the fall of 1995. Locatedin Changesin the with agricultureas a major part of the campusand amongthe makeupof a rural area were the economy,NC had offeredvarious ag the student body and curriculum of in personnel' coursesfor a numberof years' However, accompaniedby changes personalitiesretired in farming,impacted by new technology'was Manylon$ime Navarro 1990s' Ralph undergoingsignificant changes, and the the late 1980s and early art instructor College had to adiust its approachto its Vaughn,welding instructor, and completed25 agriculturecurriculum. Dr' LindaTimmerman' Dr. MargaretHicks each had they retiredin dean of academic services, initiated years of serviceto NC when FlegistrarHelen discussionswith officialsof the John Deere 1990and 1991respectively. a major manufacturerof farm Thorntonretired in 1994,and her husband Corporation, the Under the terms of an Bodie Thornton,who had managed equipment. years retiredthe between Navarro and John CollegeBookstore for 15 arrangement Marvin the College initiateda progrAmto followingyear' Biology instructor DeerJ, at Navarro train technicians for the repair and Burns' 3O'yearteaching career in 1993' Head maintenanceof high{echtractors and other ended with his retirement steppeddown John Deere equipment' The two-yearAg' footballcoach Bob McElroy program, directed bY Dr' Steve after the 1993 season,completing a highly Tech two bowl Thompson,combines academic courses with successfulcareer which included for the studiesspecifically aimed at the machinery wins and a nationalchampionship was namedthe and its maintenanceand repair' John Deere Bulldogs. Scott Anderson in 1994, but he suppliedthe Collegewith approximately$2 new head footballcoach amid million worth of its latest state'ofthe'art resigned after only one season Keith equipment,allowing students to have "hands- allegationsof recruitingimproprieties' 75 Thomas, a former Bulldog All-American Borkchumwon a seat on the Board to football player who had been the head becomethe first African-Americantrustee in baseball coach, took over the reins of the Navarro'shistory. football program in 1995. $kip Johnson, Navarro'$first half century of Thomas' as$i$tant,assumed head coaching service concludedwith an exciting view duties for the Bulldogbaseball team. towardthe future. Shortlyafter assuming the presidencyof Navarro,Dr. Bursonproposed Changes also the constructionof an Afts, Science,and occurred on TechnologyCenter (AST), Workingthrough the Board of the NavarroCollege Foundation to secure Trustees. privatefunding for the project,Dr. Burson Wanda Gillen, envisionedthe new facility servingas an who had spent educationalmagnet for boththe Collegeand 22 years as the 31 surroundingschool districts. The an instructor, centerwould providea year-roundscience counselor,and programfor the more than 40,000students administrator enrolledin those schools. The centerpiece at Navarro, of the AST would be a 60-foot domed was electedto planetarium,making it the largest in the the Board in entire state of Texas, and an observatory 1989 Wanda Gillen, the first woman containinga 14-inch Celestroncomputer- becoming the elected to the Navarro College operatedtelescope. In addition,the Center first womanto Board of Trustees. wouldhouse a museumwith displaystracing serve in that NavarroCounty's extensive contributions to capacity.Oliver Albritton,whose tenure on the developmentof the fossilfuel industry. the Board began in 1964, was replaeedby Planscall for the buitdingand grounds Paul Curingtonin 1991, Lynn Cooper in effectto be a perpetual,living science and completed12 years of seruiceon the NC arts centerwith the latesttechnology. Fiber Board in 1995,choosing not to run for re' opticswould be usedto link the planetarium election. His and observatorywith classroomson campus seat was filled and with schoolsthroughout the immediate by Dr. James area. Movies and star and laser shows Price, a local would be featuredalong with travelingarts dentist who and sciencedisplays. had compileda As word of the plannedfacility spread, distingu ished it attracted attention f rom unexpected record as a sources, Mr. Frank Hughes,director of memberof the training for the NationalAeronautical and CorsicanaSpace Administration(NASA) spoke at Public School groundbreakingceremonies for the new Board prior to facility. Evenbefore actual construction of becoming a the buildingbegan in Marchof 1996,space Navarrocapsules,lunar modules, and equipmentused Trustee. The in conjunctionwith the "Challenger"mission 1995 election wereon displayad.iacent to the buildingsite. Afriean James Borckcfrum,the first in the air as the structure American to be elected to the was also Excitementwas Navarro College Board of notablein that begantaking shape in the springof 1996, Irusfees. Mr. James with the communityand the Collegeeagerly

76 intense level of commitment and dedication to the strugglinginstitution, determinedto see it succeed. Their efforts were rewarded as the Collegegrew in size and scope. The Arts Science and Technology Center affords current and future studentswith the same types of The GOOR CENTER- under construction- OpeningApril 1996 oppoftunitiesbut with t'*; .:sslF more sophisticated anticipated its opening scheduled for the technology, The goals of the current spring of 1997. The new facility will be studentsare essentiallythe sameas those of called The COOK CENTER in honor of the the first studentswho enrolledat Navarro. Leland and Byron Gook families, major donors to the project. The opening of the Cook Centerwas a fitting way to close the first fifty years of Navarro's history and to mark the beginningof its entry into the 21st century. The Collegehas come a long waY since its beginningat the The archetictsrendition of The COOK CENTERupon comfletion. Air Activities of Texas facilityin Septemberof 1946. The They too want a betterlife for themselves, first studentbody had consistedprimarily of and they are preparingthemselves for a Gls retumingfrom the horrorsof war, hoping rapidly changingworld. For fifty years to builda better life and preparethemselves Navarro has been a vital contributorin for a changingworld. Limited resources helpingpeople an realizetheir dreams. broughtchallenges for the students,faculty, and administration,but they demonstratedan 77 Epilogue

A reoccurring theme that runs of the communitycollege, the Boardsecured throughoutthe historyof NavarroGollege is the servicesof Dr. KennethWalker to lead the turning of dreams into realities. Two the institutionin new directions.Dr. Gerald decades before the College came into Burson looked to the past to see the existence, people such as A.A. Allison enormouscontributions that NavarroCounty envisionedsuch an institutionfor the citizens had madeto the petroleumindustry, and he of Navarro County. At the end of World lookedahead to see the role that Navarro War ll when the Air Activitiesof Texassite Gollegecould play in educationstudents for became available for a campus and the future,Both the past and the futurewill servicemen returning home with Gl be addressedin the Arts, Science and educationalbenefits in hand providingthe TechnologyCenter. That abilityto envision nucleustor a studentbody, men like W.H. anticipate,and act on opportunitieshas been Nonrvoodand Ralph Brown had the foresight a majorfactor in the growthand deveidpment to act and launch the College.Educators of NavarroCollege throughout its history. such as MargaretPannill, Lucille Boyd, Ray Anothersecret of Navarro'ssuccess Waller, and Gaston Gooch left' secure has been its people. As Board member positionsin publicschools to cast their lots OliverAlbritton related, the philosophyof the with the newly emerging junior college. Trusteesduring his tenurewas to securethe Becauseof inadequatefacilities and limited very best peopleto fill vacant positionsat resources,theirs wa$ a strugglein the early any and every level,and that has been true years of the Gollege. They too, however, since the beginning of the College. were able to see what the futureheld for the Consequently,the College has employed emerginginstitution. peoplewho were competentand well trained When it becameapparent that the Air but were also quality human beings of Activitiesfacilities could serve as only a character and integrity dedicated to the temporary campu$, men such as O.L. conceptsof qualityand excellence.Durug Albrittonsought the best site availablefor the the historyol the College,tfre peopt6,ilfr6.* locationof a permanentcampus. Dr. Ben have servedas membersof the Board of Jones and the Board of Trustees saw Trustees have been successful in the opportunitiesin the 1960s to expand the businessand professionalworld and have campusand constructnew buildingsto meet given tirelesslyof their time, energy,and the needsof a growingand changingstudent talents to lead the College fonrvard. A population.As the juniorcollege philosophy commitmentto excellencewas in the minds began to give way to the broaderconcepts of thosewho first exploredthe possibilityof

78 a "first class junior college" for Navarro that road to a quagmire,it was impossible County,and that has continuedto be the for Jack to get to school. In addition,his fundamentalgoal of the institution.Navarro fatheroften needed Jack at hometo work on has beenblessed with talentedand dedicated the farm. Sinceneither of his parentswere peoplethroughout its history. educatedthemselves, th6y saw tittlevalue in There is no way to measurethe his going to school; therefore, they influencEthat NavarroCollege has exeiled or discouragedhim from seriously thinking about to countthe numberof lives it has touched continuinghis educationafter high school. since it first openedits doors in 194S, lt Despiteall those barriers,Jack did well in has been a major contributorto thillocal high school, compilingan above-average economy, producing one of the largest academicrecord. payrollsin the entirearea. The Collegehas "My dad (O L. Albritton)knew the enriched the communitypulturally with familyand was interestedin Jack,as he was musicalpresentations, dramatic productions, in all youngpeople," Oliver Albritton recalled. artisticdisplays, and athleticevents. Navarro WhenMr. Albritton asked Jack if he planned has met a wide rangeof educationalneeds to go to college,the youngman repliedthat for a diverse student population. Today collegewas out of the questionbecause of ntffib'f'bare many successtul business and the family'slimited financial resources. Upon professionalpeople across Texas, throughout consultingwith $ome of Jack's high school the UnitedStates, and even in far cornersof teachersto determineif he were "college the worldwho begantheir collegestudies at material,"Mr. Albrittonlearned that Jack had Navarro. For many of them, collegewould madea favorableimpression on his teachers, r+''+not have been possiblehad there not been and they were convincedhe wouldexcel in a campu$in the immediatearea wherethey college. Consequently,Mr. Albrittonarranged lived. a job for Jack drivingthe bus transporting Mr. Allison expressedprecisely that studentsfrom his communityto the NJC ideain 1928when he challengedthe citizens campus. He also helPed Jack secure of NavarroCounty to supporta localjunior additionalfinancial assistance to help him college. Contendingthat cost prohibited take careof otherexpenses' many youngpeople from pursuinga college Oliver rememberedthat he and his education,a high quality institutionwithin fatherwent by Jack'shouse the first day he drivingdistance of homewould enable them was to drivethe bus to campusand begin to continuetheir studiesfollowing graduation his college career. With tears literally from high school. A junior collegewould streaming down his face, he tried assist them in making the transitionfrom unsuccessfullyto veftalizehis appreciationto high school to college in a more "u$er Mr. Albrittonfor his help in providinghim friendly"environment rather than on a huge with the opportunityto go to college. He universitycampus, Literallythousands of vowed he wouldtake full advantageof the studentshave provenMr. Allisoncorrect. opportunity,and he did preciselythat' After Oliver Albritton related a story of a completingtwo years at Navarro,where he young man named "Jack" that providesa compileda remarkableacademic record, Jack classicillustration of what Allisonand others then transferredto a four-yearinstitution, who were instrumentalin founding the earned a degree, and became highlY College envisioned when they started successfulin his chosenprofession. Navarro. Jack's family lived in a rural Jack's story could be rePeatedbY isolatedsection of NavarroCounty with only hundredsof studentsfor whom Navarrowas a dirl road connectingtheir house to the their only hope of obtaining a college mainhighway. When the springrains turned education.With the availabilityof a low'cost,

79 high quality,easy access institutionstaffed by caring,welltrained instructors, what had seemed to be an impossibilitybecame a reality. Albrittonadded that once they completed their two years at Navarro, studentsreceived the psychologicalboost of realizing they were "half way there" in completinga baccalaureatedegree. This often gave them the incentiveto continue their studies. In addition,they had saved enoughmoney by stayingat homefor their first two years so they could more easily afford to go away for the final two years. A.A.Allison had discussedthose very points in the 1928 articlewhich first exptoredthe possibilityof establishinga juniorcollege for NavarroCounty. His projectionproved to be absolutelycorrect when he said that a first classjunior college would add immeasurabty to the qualityof life for the peopleof the area. But Navarro's impact has far exceededthe dreamsof its founders. In the 1996 spring graduationceremonies, more than 400 students received degrees or certificatesin suchfields as aviation,criminal justice,computer science, radio/television, as well as traditionalacademic areas such as English, history, mathematics,and pre- professionalprograms, They rangedin age from traditionalZ0-year-olds to those well past middle age with grandchildrenin the audience. There were studentsfrom 18 differentnations represented in the class of 1996, quite a contrastto the first student body that attendedclasses in 1946, As NavarroCollege begins its second half centuryof seruice,it can look back with prideon its recordof accomplishment.Just as it has from its very beginning,Navarro Collegecontinues to be committedto the conceptof turningdreams into realities.

80 Btblioqraphv PrimarySources

"Advancing,1974-84." ln-house publication of NavarroCollege

Arnold,H.H. "Flepofiof the CommandingGeneral of the Army Air Forcesto the Secretary of War." UnitedStates News, Jan, 1944.

Catalogues,Navarro Junior College, 1946-74.

Catalogues,Navarro College, 1975-96.

CorsicanaDaily Sun, 1946-1996,

CriddlePapers. A collectionof photographs,charts, and otherdocuments related to the Air '.;ffitivitiesof Texas compiledby E. D. "Dick"Criddle, who was the AssistantDirector of the operation,Thepapers are currentlyhoused in the NavarroCollege History Department.

El Navarro.Yearbooks of NavarroGollege, 1947-1974.

,,. :s., Flying Lines. Newspaperpublished by Air Activitiesof Texas,March 13, 1943-August24, 194s,

Lazy 8 Yeartookspublished by variouscadet classesat the Air Activitiesof Texas, 1942- 1944.

Minutes,Board of Trustees,Navarro Junior College, 1946-1974.

Minutes,Board of Trustees,Naverro College, 1974-1996,

NavarroCollege Fact Book. In-housepublication, 1995.

Southern Associationof Collegesand SchoolsSelf-Study Accreditation and Reaffirmation Reports,1954, 1964, 1974,1985, 1995.

Steger, Ed. Personalletter recountinghis experiencesas a cadet at the Air Activitiesof Texas.

"Visionsof NavarroCollege.- In-housepublication, 1995.

81 PersonalInterviews

Albritton,Mrs. O.L. Mrs, Albritton was the widowof O.L.Albritton,first chairmanof the Board of Trusteesof Navaro Junior College.

Albrifton,O.L., Jr. Mr. Albrittonis the son of O. L. Albritton,was a memberof the Navarro Boardof Trusteeshimself for 32 years.

Armistead, R.A. As principalof CorsicanaSchool, Mr. Armisteadparticipated in the organizationalmeetings of NavarroJunior College. He also taughtat the Collegefrom 1969- 1974.

Barnaby,Charles. Mr. Barnabywas a civilianemployee of the Air Activitiesof Texas.

Berry,Margaret. Miss Berrywas a memberof the originalfaculty at NavarroJunior College.

Boyd, Lucille. Mrs. Boydwas a memberof the originalfaculty at NavarroJunior College.

Brown,Ralph. Mr. Brownwas a memberof the originalBoard of Trusteesof NavarroJunior College.

Brown,W.E. Mr. Brownwas the first graduateof NavarroJunior College.

Burkhart,E. E. Mr. Burkhart,a buildingcontractor, directed move to the currentcampus.

Burnett,Ann. Grandaughterof A.A. Allison,who first proposedthe creationof NavarroJunior College.

Burson,Gerald, Dr. Bursonis the fourthpresident of NavarroCollege.

Chapman,James A. Mr. Chapmanis a longtimeNavarro College faculty member.

Clark,Kenneth. Mr. Clarkwas the first athleticcoach at NavarroJunior College.

Corley,John. Mr. Corleywas a memberof the NavarroJunior College Board of Trustees.

Cumby,Glen. Mr. Cumbywas an employeeof Air Activitiesof Texas and later was director of the CorsicanaMunicipal Airpoft.

Daniel,McAfee. Mr. Danielwas a memberof the originalstudent body of NavarroJunior Collegeand is a longtimefaculty member.

Dawson,Leighton, Mr. Dawsonwas a memberof the NavarroCollege Board of Trustees tor 42 years.

Edgar,James. Mr. Edgarwas a memberof the originalfaculty of NavarroCollege.

82 Estes,Lowell. Mr. Esteswas a memberof the NavarroJunior College Board of Trustees.

Fry, Silas. Mr, Fry was an enlistedofficer at the Air Activitiesof Texas.

Gaffney,George. Mr. Gaffneywas a cadetat the Air Activitiesof Texas.

Gaines,Alon. Mr. Gaineswas a memberof the first studentbody at NavarroJunior College.

Gilbert,Mable Waller. Mrs. Gilbertis the widowof Ray Waller,first presidentof Navarro JuniorCollege.

Gillen,Wanda. Mrs. Gillenwas an instructorand counselorat NavarroJunior College and is currentlya memberof the Boardof Trustees.

Hutchinson,Wendell. Mr. Hutchinsonwas a cadetat the Air Activitiesof Texas.

Johnson,Thelma Butcher. frlrs.Johnson was one of the first African-Americanstudents to *fltgnd NavarroJunior College.

Johnston,Geraldine, Mrs. Johnstonwas a longtimefaculty member at NavarroCollege.

Jones,Ben W. Dr. Jonesserved a$ the secondpresident of NavarroJunior College. jr ri._r. Justiss, Verda Gooch. Mrs. Justissis the widow of GastonT. Gooch,longtime Navarro JuniorCollege administrator, and she seruedas CollegeBusiness Manager.

Kindle,Odis. Mr. Kindlewas the headlibrarian of NavarroCollege for 31 years.

Mc0lung,Gerald, Mr. McClungwas a civilianflight instructor at the Air Activitiesof Texas.

McFerran,Billie Love Robinson.Mrs. McFerranwas a civilianemployee of the Air Activities of Texas.

Miller,Richard. Dr. Milleris a longtimefaculty member at NavarroCollege.

Monis,Jimmy. Mr. Monis,a Corsicanaattomey, was in the originalstudent body at Navarro JuniorCollege.

Pannill,Margaret. Miss Pannillwas a memberof the originalfaculty at NavarroJunior Gollege.

Patterson,Curtis. Mr. Pattersonwas a memberof the originalBoard of Trusteesat Navarro JuniorCollege.

Ray, lleen. Mrs. Ray is a longtimeinstructor and counselorat NavarroCollege.

Ray, Maruin, Mr. Ray is a longtimeinstructor at NavarroCollege.

83 Reed, Lary. Dr. Reed is currentlyExecutive Vice Presidentof NavarroCollege.

Reed, Tillman. Mr. Reed was a civilianflight instructorat the Air Activitiesof Texas.

Schmaus, James. Mr. Schmaus is the ExecutiveVice Presidentof the Navarro College Foundation

Stephens, Jody. Mrs. Stephens is the widow of HerschelStephens, instructor and tennis coach at Navarro College.

Strickland,C. G. Dr. Stricklandwas the first academicdean of NavarroJunior College.

Taylor, Euneva Burleson. Mrs. Taylor was employedfor 33 years at Navarro College.

Timmerman,Linda. Dr. Timmermanis the current academicdean of Navarro College.

Walker, Kenneth. Dr, Walker was the third presidentof NavarroCollege.

Watson,J.C. Mr. Watsonwas the GountySchool Superintendent at the time Navarro Junior College was established,

Whitfill,A. L. Mr. Whitfill was a memberof the originalof NavarroJunior College.

Winn, Shirley. Mrs. Winn was one of the first African-Americanstudents to attend Navarro Junior College.

$econdary Sources

Allison,A.A. "The Junior College." Texas Outlook(Jn, 1928).

Arnold, H.H. Global Mission. New York: Harper and Brothers,1940.

Nash, Gerald D. The CrucialEra: The Great Depressionand World War ll. 1929-1945. New York: St. Martin'sPress, 1992.

Rundell, Walter. Early Texas Oil: A PhotooraphicHistory. 1866-1936.College Station: Texas A&M Press, 1977.

Stephens, Ray and William Holmes. Historical4!las of Te'as, Norman: University of OklahomaPress, 1989,

Sulzberger,C. L. World War ll. New York: McGraw-Hill,1970.

Taylor, Alva. A History of Navarro County. Corsicana:Navarro County Historical$ociety, 1970.

Witt, Allan, et. al. America'sCommunity Colleges: The First Century.Washington: Community College Press, 1994,

84 IndIex7l

A.A.Allison 7 Acknowledgments 81 AdministrationBuilding . , , 40, 43, 51, SA, 67 Adult Basic Education 66 AesculapiusGlub A0 Aggie Club 2s, gs Air Activitiesof Texas 10, 12, 14,25, 26, 44,28 Akers,Jimmie $ue 1T Akridge,Guyle 24, 25 Albriton,Oliver Albritton,O.L. Aldama,Ben 66 Allison,A.A. 7, 8, 10, ZO,40, 78 Anderson,Lynn 73 Anderson,Scott 75 Anglin,Pam 73 Arman,Al 6o Arman,Scottie 60 Armistead,Andy 12 Arnold,R.L. 25 ArrowheadRoom 52 Arts, Science,and TechnologyCenter 76,77 B.A.Club ?0,35 Bain,A.L. 43 Ballard,Charlotte 17 BaptistStudent Union . 37,59 BarbershopQuaftet 25 BarracksBunch 26 Baseball 25, 38, 60, 70 Basketball 21, 38, Sg,70 Beene,C.E, 25, 45 Berry,Margaret 17, 19 BibleChair 36 Bibliography B? BiStoneCenter 68 BlinnCollege 7 Bonner,L.B. 13,16 Booth, Edward 11 Borkchum,James 76 Bowen,Don s5 Boyd,Lucille 17, 23, 25, 42,57 Bradley,J.K. (Mrs.) 12 Brown,Gary 50 Brown,Ralph 12, 13, 16,23 BulldogBand 60

85 BulldogGym 43,54 Burkhail,E.E...... )?6,4s, 54 Burleson,Euneva 1l'r' v, 23,I 33 57 Burns,Marvin 75 Burson,,Gerald 64, 65, 73 76 Calhoun,-lohn 12 CanterburyClub 20 Carl PerkinsCareer Center 65, 66 Carmichael,Al 37 CarmodyTrust 54 Carpenter,John 17 Carraway,Lloyd 13, 16,26 CastonScholarship 61 Caston.M.C. & Mattie 61 CentralTexas College 6,7 Chapman,C.M. . 12 Chapman,Jim 59,73 Cheerleaders ...25, 60,71 ChoralClub 20 ChoralDepartment,.. 72 CircleK 35 CivilWar DocumentsCollection 68 Clark,Kenneth 17, 18, 20-22,24,25 COOKCENTER 77 Cook, Byron 77 Cook. Leland 77 Cook,M,S, 17 Cook,Spruill and Sue 40 Cooper,Lynn 76 Corley,John 26 CorsicanaChamber of Commerce I CorsicanaDaily Sun I Gouftyard 52 Craig,Earl 36 Criddle,E.D. 11 1a Crowder,Eva It Curington,Paul 76 CuftainCtub 40 Daniel,George (Mrs.) 12 Daniel,McAfee . 25, 56, 73 Daw$on,Leighton 23, 46, 52, 55, 61 Dillman,Lisa 73 DixieBowl.,. 70 Dorms 22, 26, 53, 59 DramaClub 20 DraneFoundation 40, 54 DraneHall 41, 68 Drane,Frank Neal 40 DresdenCollege 5

86 Duncan,Donnie 37 Ebony Club Sg Edens,J.N. 11, 14 Edgar,James 17, 19, 20,23,25, 41, 42, ST,61 El Navarro 20, gs Elleair Program . 66 Ellis County Center 69 Epilogue 78 ESL 67 Evan$, Ralph 36 Fall Capers 72 Fine Arts Building 54 Floyd,Paul 17 Foley,Evelyn 17 FolkloreClub 25 Football 21, 25, 37, 38, 59 FrenchClub . 35 FutureTeachers Club 25, 35 Garner,John 73 GED 66 Gt Biil 10,18 GibsonHall 44, 71 Gibson,Louis . 44, 55, 57 Gillen,Wanda 59, 76 Gillick,J.W.(Mrs.)... 5 Golf 70 Gooch,Gaston 16, 19, 20, 32,33, 41, 44 Gooch,Verda 26, 33, 34,44,52 GraduateCaston 62 Graduation : 24 Gray,Ernest 17 Great Depression 8, 10 Haley,G,L, 13 Hamann, Carol 73 Hardgrave,Dorothy 57 Harrison.W.B. 12 Hastings,W.H. 26 Hawthorne,Dorothy 17 Hern.Harold 59 Hlcks,Margaret 75 HobbitCollection 68 HospitalityBowl 37 Huling,R.E. 12 lndustrialArts Club 35 lnstrumentalists 72 Jackson,Robeft 20 JayhawkBowl 70 Jester,Beauford 17 John DeereProgram 75

87 Johnson,Pat 73 Johnson,Skip . 76 Johnston,Geraldine .....56 ,59 Jones,Ben 32, 34,41, 45,46 Jones, Robert 57 Keeney, Gioia . 50 Kindle,Odis . 57 Knox,Tom 73 KVB Club 20 Las Amigas 35 LearningResource Center . 44, 52, 67 LonMorrisCollege ..,..7 Los Vaqueros 35 MasterAction Plan 50, 53 McGormick,Biuce 12, 13 McElroy,Bob 59, 69, 70, 75 Mershawn.Don 73 MethodistStudent Movement 37 Mid-TexEducation and ResearchCorporation 55, 68 Middleton.C.E. 55 Miller, Richard 73 MinnieStevens Piper Award 42,s6 ,73 Montgomery,Roark 71 Morris,Jimmy 18, 39 Murphy, Pat 35 Navarro College Foundation 68 Navarro,Jose Antonio 4 "N" Club 25 NCTV 55 NewmanClub . 37 Newton,G.M. 12 NISOD 73 Norurood,W,H. 12, 78 Orr, Louis 59, 70 Palmeri,$ammy . . .,. 20 Pannill,Margaret 11, 17, 18, 20, 25-27,36, 42, 53, 57 Partnersin ActiveLiving 57, 58 Patterson,Amy 73 Patterson.Curtis 13 Paul,Adron ..: 60 Pearce,Charles 68 \ PerryD. "Peno"Graham 70 Phi ThetaKappa 25,35, 36, 53, 56,59 Pre-EngineersClub 25 Pre-law Club 3s Preface 1 Price,James 76 Ralston,W,D. Sr. 68 Ralston-RoeLaw Library 68

88 FlanchDay 35 Ray, lleen 5g Ray, Marvin 35 Reading, Robert 40 Reed, Lary 43, 49, 64 Reese,Roy 57 RestraintCollection 68 Richards,J.W. 13 Richards,Jim 12 Robefts,R.S s Robinson,Buell . 12 RodeoClub Zb, gS; 59 Roe,Jerry 14,68 Rouse,Sue 17 $ACS 27,74 Samuels,lrvin ,.68 Sanders,B. Lynn 26 Segregation 34 ###n'e Sefroritas . 25, 27,60 Showstoppers 60 ShrineBowl 37 Skefton, Charles 17 Smith. Lee 42 SpanishClub . '2.5,35 SpecialEvents Center 5+, 71 SpringMusicals Stephens,Herschel 38, 39, 59, 60 Stewart,Ferma C. Stover,Eloise , 35 StrategicFocus Plan 75 Strickland,C.G. . 11,16, 19,32 Stringer,Tommy 1, 73 StudentCounci 20. 35 StudentGovernmentAssociation ....35 StudentUnion Building 44, 45,52, 59,71 TASP 67 TEA 27.67 TechnicalArts Building 43, 44 TehuacanaUniversity ngg, 5. Tennis -*,?s i sg, 71 TheGrowl... 25,27,35,s6 Track 24i Thomas,Keith . 60, 70, 75 I 17. Il:ffi::lHllX"::: : :: : :"::: 75 Thornton,Bodie 75 Thornton,Helen 75 Track 24 Unden/ood, John 59

89 United Christian FellowshiP 37 Valley of the Sun Bowl 69 Vaughn,Ralph 75 Vaughn,Tina 71 Volleyball 71 Walker,Kenneth 48-50, 56, 57, 62 Waller, Ray 12,16, 19, 20, 22,25,27,28,32,37, 44,52 Wasson,Homer 73 Watson,J.C 12 WeatherfordCollege 7 White. Bill 36 Whitfield,A.L. 17 Wilemon,G.H. 12 Williams,Cecil 33, 36, 42 Wolens, Kalman and lda 54 Womack,J.O. 11 Women's Basketball s9 Wool Bowl . . 37, 59 Wooley,B.W, 11 Woolley,B.L, 11 World War ll I Wyatt,W.D. 50

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