Growing Up Green: 1941-2015: Changing Times (1950-1959)

In 1951 the Board of Regents approved doctoral requirements. Harold Hitt became the first person to graduate with a doctorate, receiving a Ph.D. in Administrative Services. In 1951 McConnell stepped down from the presidency and J. C. Matthews became the eighth president. During this time the campus began to take on the appearance that today’s UNT students recognize. The Administration Building, Fouts Field, West Hall, the Health Center, and the Physics-Math Building were just a few of the structures built during this decade.

In the late 1950s North Texas was host to two bright literary talents. Prolific author Larry McMurtry and pioneering journalist Grover Lewis graduated from North Texas State College with Bachelors degrees in English in 1958. The two men were friends and collaborators at North Texas, although they grew apart later in life.

Desegregation

Of all the changes that the university experienced in the past 75 years, none have been as significant as desegregation. A. Tennyson Miller, a black educator from Port Arthur, entered graduate school in 1954. In June 1955, Joe L. Atkins of Dallas applied for admission as an undergraduate student. He was refused entrance and brought a suit in the United States District Court, Fifth Circuit. During the time the suit was pending Mr. Atkins began his studies at another institution. Mrs. I. E. L. Sephas of Fort Worth became the first African American undergraduate when she enrolled in February 1956. By summer more than fifty African Americans were enrolled.

This issue of Campus Chat barely mentions her arrival on campus, with a below the fold headline stating “First Negro Undergraduate Enrolls,” however the mild headline belies the turmoil on campus at the time. It is known from later interviews that President J.C. Matthews dispatched crews to campus in the early morning hours to erase racial epithets which had been chalked on sidewalks and to extinguish a burning cross on the lawn of the Administrative Building.

Abner Haynes and Leon King became the first African-American students to play on the football team in the fall of 1956. Playing on one of the first integrated teams in Texas, Haynes and King faced racism on and off the field. Coach Fred McCain had to ensure in advance that the team had places to eat and sleep while they were on the road, and resorted to bologna sandwiches on at least one occasion. Rival teams also took issue playing an integrated team. After winning a game against Navarro Junior College in 1956 the team was chased onto their bus by an angry mob.

photograph of a section of newspaper at an angle. The main visible title reads First Negro Undergraduate Enrolls as registration figures total 5048

Page of booklet with two columns of photographs of men in football uniforms.

Page of booklet with two rows of photographs of men in football uniforms.

Larry McMurtry and the Coexistence Review

Pulitzer Prize winner Larry McMurtry graduated from North Texas in 1958 with a degree in English. During his time as a student he worked to perfect his writing skills. He made contributions, in fiction and non-fiction, to the school’s literary magazine, the Avesta. This piece of fiction, “The Best Day Since,” was published in the Fall 1956 Avesta. Mr. McMurtry was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1986.

Larry McMurtry published in an alternative literary magazine known as the Coexistence Review. One entry was to become a part of his first novel, Horseman, Pass By. McMurtry worked on this magazine with Grover Lewis and John Lewis.

Worn booklet cover. The title Coexistence Review is written in big letters. The first letter of both words is drawn in bold red. On the bottom right is a drawn star that has red color.

A page that is filled with small black text. The top of it is titled Credo and the left side of the page has two hole punches.

White page filled with text that consists of a poem. The page is titled First Prize Winner, than the poem is written with the author Larry McMurtry on it.

Yellow page with black text on it. It is titled Coexistence Review with a statement consisting of two paragraphs on it and then the signatures of three people.

A yellow book with a circular fence, open and brown in color drawn on it. The title of the book is in the middle in white letter, with the author Larry McMurtry under it in white letters.

Grover Lewis’ Samuel French Award, 1958

Plaque awarded to North Texas State College in recognition of Grover Lewis winning the 1958 sixth annual National Collegiate Playwriting Contest for Wait For Morning, Child.

Black rectangular plaque. A bronze circle is in the middle with a symbol of an animal and two masks, the words Samuel French Award over it. A golden rectangle is below that, stating who the award was being presented to and the date.

Bill Moyers and the Tip-Off

Bill Moyers is a former White House Press Secretary and an internationally recognized investigative journalist. He was the editor of the student handbook in 1954, and served as a member of the United Students of North Texas while a student at UNT. He is seen posing with his fellow United Students of North Texas members.

A white and red page in a brick-like pattern. The words North Texas State College are on it in a white box on the cover. Under that is a white block with the word Tip-Off on it.

A white page with black text, titled From the Editor's Pen. Under the text is a photograph of a young man in a suit and tie, seen from the shoulders up.

The Brunsviga Calculator

The Brunsviga mechanical calculator was originally developed in 1891 and was manufactured until the 1970s when they were replaced by electronic calculators. This example was used by students and faculty in the NTSU Mathematics Department.