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This is the transcript from the second of three interviews that Bruce Roche conducted with Dr. Flowers just prior to his retirement. Dr. Flowers (Class of 1913) was President of Southwest Texas State College from 1942-1964. In this interview, he talks about the development of general education requirements that brought the Humanities (arts and philosophy) back into mainstream course requirements. He discusses his opinions about faculty qualifications and who should supervise student teachers, about the college adopting a team-teaching approach, and the role of a college president. Flowers also talks about funding from the Danforth Foundation and the Hogg Foundation that allowed the school to implement programs it couldn’t otherwise afford. Interviewer Bruce Roche was director of the College News Service. This interview was the source material for his article “Goal: Excellence – Dr. Flowers’ Lifelong Watchword,” published in the Austin American-Statesmanon August 30, 1964.

President Johnson delivers remarks before the signing in the Strahan Gymnasium.

Originally the signing of the Higher Education Act was supposed to be signed outside in front of the Main Building (now called Old Main). It was moved inside of the Strahan Gymnasium (now the Music Building) when it started to rain.

President Johnson is on the left in the hat and light coat. Originally the signing of the Higher Education Act was supposed to be signed outside in front of the Main Building (now called Old Main). It was moved inside of the gym when it started to rain.

President Lyndon B. Johnson handing out pens after signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College gymnasium on November 8, 1965.

President Johnson delivers remarks at the Strahan Gymnasium, Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965.

President Johnson delivers remarks at the Strahan Gymnasium, Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965.

President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson arrive by helicopter to sign the Higher Education Act in November 1965.

Crowd moves from the Main Building, down the hill to the gymnasium for the signing event. Mrs. Johnson and President Johnson are in the center, with the college president James McCrocklin visible behind LBJ’s hat.

President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson with unidentified man at the signing of the Higher Education Act, Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965.

President Lyndon B. Johnson shaking hands with the crowd at Gary Job Corps.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965. Standing behind the President (left to right): Unidentified man, Dr. Alfred Nolle, Unidentified man, Lady Bird Johnson, Beryl Bolton McCarroll Pickle, J.J. "Jake" Pickle, J.C. Kellam, and University President James H. McCrocklin.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965. Standing behind the President (left to right): Unidentified man, Dr. Alfred Nolle, Unidentified man, Lady Bird Johnson, Beryl Bolton McCarroll Pickle, J.J. "Jake" Pickle, J.C. Kellam, and University President James H. McCrocklin.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965. Standing behind the President (left to right): Unidentified man, Dr. Alfred Nolle, Unidentified man, Lady Bird Johnson, Beryl Bolton McCarroll Pickle, J.J. "Jake" Pickle, J.C. Kellam, and University President James H. McCrocklin.

President Lyndon B. Johnson with J.J. "Jake" Pickle after signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College in the Strahan Gymnasium.

President Lyndon B. Johnson with Jesse C. Kellam at the signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College on November 8, 1965.

Original staging for the signing of the Higher Education Act. The podium and desk were moved to the gymnasium for the ceremony. The signing of the Higher Education Act was supposed to be signed outside in front of the Main Building (now called Old Main). It was moved inside of the Strahan Gymnasium (now the Music Building) when it started to rain.

The desk with the Act prepared for signing, crowd visible in the background at the Strahan Gymnasium.

President Lyndon B. Johnson handing out pens after signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College gymnasiums on November 8, 1965.

President Lyndon B. Johnson handing out pens after signing the Higher Education Act at Southwest Texas State College gymnasium on November 8, 1965.