Stephen F Austin State University - Stone Fort Yearbook (Nacogdoches, TX)

Page 9 text:

The dawn of a prosperous era in the development of Stephen F. Austin State College occurred amidst Homecoming festivities on one November day in 1958. On November 1 , Ralph W. Steen began his term as the third president of SFA and the college began a period of phenomenal growth toward a university. A native of Clyde, Callahan County, Texas, Dr. Steen entered McMurry College in Abilene where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He was later awarded the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas in Austin. Joining the faculty of Texas A M University as an assistant professor of history in 1 935, Dr. Steen rose to the rank of department head. From Texas A M, where he had taught continuously since 1 935, Dr. Steen came to SFA. At his inauguration in February, 1 959, Dr. Steen said that he wanted SFA to continue to grow in size, prestige, and scholastic reputation. To date during his term of office, the enrollment has increased from 1 ,992 students in 1 959 to more than 1 0,000 in 1974. In terms of facilities, more than 90 percent of the classroom buildings are less than 1 years old. Since 1 965, the campus has witnessed construction of the Science, Music, Ferguson, Library and new Education and Business buildings, to name but a few. The quantity and quality and the growth of SFA are attributable primarily to the leadership and vision of President Steen. He defined his dream in his inaugural address in February, 1959: . . . It shall be my purpose to do everything possible to operate a college which recognizes the fact that we live in an age which moves with great rapidity — an age in which it is not possible for a college to be as colleges have sometimes been in the past — no more than an ivory tower. We want the ivory tower, of course; we want people to think and dream; we want also to feel that our first responsibility is that of giving to young people the knowledge they will need to live, to work, and to prosper in the modern world. With a great amount of devotion, enthusiasm, concern and love, this dream is becoming realized more and more each day. It is with much gratitude and appreciation that the staff dedicates the 1 974-1 975 Stone Fort to President Ralph W. Steen.

Page 11 text:

Enrollment increases SFA ' s population spiraled with fall registration. A record enrollment of 1 0,536 students was reached. This is a six percent increase over last year. The growth is attributed to one of the largest freshman classes in SFA history and to the expansion of off- campus programs. Masses of humanity found two problems with which it must contend: housing space and parking places.