University of Houston - Houstonian Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Construction began on Uberholtzer Hall in 19119. DR. W. W. KEMMERER, second president of the University. O I I I Construction on the four dormitories and Oberholtzer Hall was begun in 1949. Dedication and cornerstone laying ceremonies for the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building took place in 719. Former Cover- nor W. P. Hobby spoke to the crowd of 3,000, recounting highlights in the life of Ezekiel Cullen Who, as a member of the Texas Congress, presented the plan which made public land available for schools. Dr. E. E. Uberholtzer was made president emeritus while Dr. W. W. Kemmerer became acting president of the Univer- sity. The Central School of Nursing of the U. of H. was estab- lished as a part of the Texas Medical Center. ln 1950, the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building was completed and occupied. The lVl. D. Anderson Library was built, and the dorms were completed. Students moved into the new dormitories in 1951, and Oberholtzer Hall was opened for use. In 1952, the College of Optometry began, the College of Pharmacy was accredited, and the University was given an educational television permit. Dr. W. W. Kemmerer was named president of the University of Houston. lVlr. Hugh Roy Cullen again donated oil royalties to the University-this time in the amount of 32,225,000 The M. D. Anderson Library was built in 1950. University nurses learn through experience

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The year 1947 brought another gift from the Hugh Roy Cullens. The donation of 3B400,000 was given to pay for the construction of an engineering laboratory building. The schools of Law and Pharmacy were opened in '47, and the Frontier Fiesta was resumed again for the first time since the war. In 1948, construction of the 35,500,000 Ezekiel W. Cullen Building and the Central Power Plant began. The first Army B.O.T.C. Quartermaster Corps was estab- lished at the University in ,48. The 748 football season was a frantic one. Twenty-one University students swarmed down upon the campus of Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville for an early- morning campaign of white-washing and placard nailing prior to a scheduled football game between the two schools. But the Cougars didn't reckon on a welcoming committee of Bearcats. When the U. H. students were finally returned home, they were sporting some very unusual haircuts. The Cougars didn't go down in dishonor, however, for when five Sam Houston students attempted to set fire to the Cougars, bonfire a few days later, they found themselves surrounded by U. H. avengers. The attempted arsonists were immediately shoved into the cage ordinarily occupied by the Universityls cougar mascot, Shasta, and were put on display for Houston students. A tour of the city was made, cage and all, and a haircut followed before the intruders were sent home. The Cullen Rifles, University crack drill team, was well known to Houstonians. Crowds gather at the Ezekiel Cullen Building dedication ceremonies. The '4Zeke', Building begins to take shape . . . . construction almost complete.

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KUHT-TV, the country's first educational television station, Went on the air in 1953. lVlr. C. F. lVlcElhinney became acting president after the resignation of Dr. Kemmerer. The years 1954 and 1955 saw the addition of several new buildings: the Architecture Building, the Science Building Annex, the Psychology Building, the Engineering Building, and the Home Management 1-louse. A long-sought-hope finally came true for the University in 755. The U. of H. was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The il5160,000 outdoor swimming pool was opened in 1955. Part of the funds for the pool were raised by the students through several years of Frontier Fiesta productions. Lt. Gen. A. D. Bruce was named president of the University in 1954. Dr. Clanton W. Williams became academic vice- president. The first annual Creek Songfest was held in 1955 in Cullen Auditorium. vintage years for Frontier Fiesta crowds. Visitors jam the midway to partake of Fiesta,s fun. The early '50s were