Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS Robert Montemayor, 1974-75 University Daily Editor Fifty-two years ago a Texas Senate bill numbered 103 was brought before Governor Pat M. Neff for his official approval and signature. Gov- ernor Neff looked over the bill and on that 10th day of February, 1923, he signed the document establishing Texas Technological College. Starting out as little more than an idea, the Texas Legislature appropri- ated approximately one million dol- lars with which to develop the first state-supported college of West Texas. Two years later on Oct. 1, 1925, the doors of Tech were open to its first 914 students The first buildings on campus at the time of the opening were the Administration and Home Economics buildings, textile engineering, the cafeteria, the Stock judging Pavilion, the dairy barn, poultry plant and the President ' s residence. There were four individual colleges offering course work those being: Liberal Arts, Agriculture, Engineering and Home Econom According to one report, State legislators were influenced by strong- minded West Texans to try several times during the period of 18% 1915 to establish a college in West Texas. . . and political activity inten- sified in 1915 into an eight-year drive in which West Texas secessions was threatened more than once in heated speeches and newspaper article The year 1923 ended the intense bid- ding of 37 cities campaigning for Tech to be built in their town, as Lub bock was selected the natural Hub City to house the new college. On November 11, 1924, Governor Neff was greeted in Lubbock by an estimated crowd of 20,000 who had gathered to lay the cornerstone for the Administration building. The Governor, using a bale of cotton as a podium, told the crowd that there rings out in Lubbock County today the commanding sentence that the wealth of the state shall educate the children of the state. The colleges give back to the people every dollar invested in them and more besides Today, fifty years later, Texas Tech University is a far cry from operating with that mere one million dollars the Texas Legislature originally appropriated the school. For instance, Leo Ells, vice president for financial affairs and treasurer, said this year ' s total expenditures to oper- ate the Tech complex (including the University, Museum and Med School) will exceed $120 million. Today Tech is a multi-purpose Uni- versity with six colleges and three schools offering Bachelor ' s degrees in 100 areas of study, Master ' s in 60 areas and 27 Doctorate majors. Tech ' s land area, including the Amarillo Center with 1 3,822 acres, now totals 19,295 acres all used for teaching and research. The campus proper, with 1,839 acres in one conti guous tract, is one of the largest in the country. There are also 276 build- ings loc ated on Tec h lands whi h are valued at today ' s replacement costs in the excess of $216 million not including equipment. However, aside from the mon- strous and rapid physical growth, Tech has provided the impetus for becoming a cultural and educational center for the West Texas region It has been estimated that more than 250,000 students have attended Tei h and more than 56,000 graduates are spread around the world. Of course, the spectacular growth of this University in the last 50 years is evidence enough of what can be done for the sake of higher edui ,i tion . . . For indeed, as the first 50 years have been growing years, both physically and academically, the sec- ond 50 should be dedicated to mak- ing this institute the permanent home for quality and excellence in all educational fields considered.

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. T LA VENTANA Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas Volume 50 1975

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CONTENTS I Sports Illustrated NOC.l K PLAYBOY I ' YML F U T U TOWN COUNTRY VI KW E I I I!