University of Houston - Houstonian Yearbook (Houston, TX)

Page 15 text:

Through donations from the late oilman, lVlr. Hugh Roy Cullen and Mrs. Cullen, and a city-wide campaign for building funds, money was raised to build the first building on the newly-acquired campus in 1938. Theme of the fund-raising drive that saw University students canvassing from door-to- door, was HThe greater University of Houston for a greater Houstonf, Enrollment was approximately 2,142 students. June, 1939 found students at the University occupying the new campus on St. Bernard Street. The Roy Gustav Cullen Building, a memorial to the late son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Roy Cullen, was opened for classes. The same year, the second building on the campus, the Science Building, was completed, and the Graduate School was opened. Over-all enrollment was 2,737 students. The year 1940 was an eventful one in the history of the U. of H. The Industrial Building was built from funds donated by a group of Houston industrialists supplemented by cani- paign funds. The first Navy Vocational School and the campus Vocational School Were opened in October. With the world in turmoil over War and threats of war, and with threats to the safety of the United States becoming more evident every day, the United States began an extensive pro- gram of national defense. The University of Houston con- tributed to the furthering of this national defense program by training private pilots in association with the Civil Aeronautics Authority. On the lighter side of college life, the first Frontier Fiesta Was held in 710. The western extravaganza Was born in the minds of five U. of H. students who wanted to do something DR. EDISON E. OBERHOLTZER to stimulate school pride and spirit. The first Fiesta ran for three nights and students played to a total audience of 5,000. t Mg,-:na -Q.1m -- --.mg-.w-1 An aerial view of the campus as it looked in 1939. The first campus building, the Roy Gustav Cullen Building, was completed in '39,

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The first issue of the COUGAB announces the open- ing of the University of Houston. HUGH ROY CULLEN ,5,,m3,,g,5,,3,,,ggf,1gigg,,,..,,.,.m-M. 5 , ,if ze 3 'wa-r.:'z':.4m.e: . .Hag In 1927, an institution was founded that was destined to become the University of Houston. Under the leadership of the late Dr. E. E. Oberholtzer, then superintendent of the Houston schools, the Houston Junior College was established for the purpose of providing a place of higher education for high school graduates and working persons in the Houston area who were unable to leave the city to attend college. Basic freshman and sophomore courses were offered in the classes that met in the San Jacinto High School Building. By 1933, enrollment in the Junior College had reached the 624 mark. Through the continued efforts of Dr. Oberholtzer who was serving without pay as president of the college, and others, House Bill 194 was passed by the State Legislature October 16, 1933, establishing the University of Houston and continuing the Junior College as an integral part. In 1934, the first day branch of the University of Houston was operated in the Second Baptist Church. During the first year of operation, the enrollment in day and night classes was approximately 1,110 students. The years 1935 and 1936 saw growth and expansion of the University of Houston, and, by 1937, the need for a per- manent campus was keenly felt. Heirs of the 1. J. Settegast Estate donated 75 acres, lVlr. Ben Taub donated 35 acres, and the University purchased two acres to make up a 112 acre campus for the young school. First classes were held in the San Jacinto High School Building at Holman and San Jacinto.

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The Recreation Building was erected in 1942 under 'fthe Big Top. University coeds sold War bonds during the war years. Scrap drives occupy afternoon hours of coeds Who, in the evening, act as hostesses at parties for service men. I I I I In 1941, the second annual Frontier Fiesta was held in spite of heavy rains that caused postponements several times. The main attraction of Fiesta that year was a skit hy students on the college days of faculty members. After the fateful December day in 1941 known as Pearl Harbor, and the United States' entrance into World War II, the University, along with the rest of the country, turned its attention to the bringing about of' peace. Construction of the Student Recreation Building began in 1942. Because the building was needed for special defense programs, officials determined to avoid delay that might come as a result of rainy weather. A large circus tent 270 feet long and 40 feet wide was put up over the working area to insure earliest possible completion. On May 1, less than 60 days from the digging of the first shovel of dirt, the first class of boys in the United States Naval Reserve Elementary Electricity and Radio Materiel School moved into the building, established sleeping quarters and were served meals in the cafeteria. The first Blood Bank in Houston which later grew into the Houston and Harris County Blood Bank was begun at the University. War-conscious University students sold war bonds, sponsored scrap drives, and coeds even sold their nylon stock- ings to aid the war effort. The Co-ed-ettes, an organization of University girls, gave parties for service men and worked closely with the U.S.O. A big step was taken in '42 with the opening of the Univer- sity Downtown School.