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This is the transcript from the first 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, Dr. Flowers talks about the history of education in Texas, his educational philosophy, and the need for vocational schools to provide practical skills to their students. He also talks about growing up in a family that had books in their home, and how he was encouraged to get his master’s degree at the age of 30. 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-Statesman on August 30, 1964.

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.

This is the transcript from the third 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, Dr. Flowers talks about the people who influenced his life and career, his relationship with his predecessor Dr. Evans, and various faculty, staff, and administrators at SWT who contributed to the success of the college. He talks about meeting Lady Bird Johnson in Washington in 1942 and how she helped get a resolution passed in Congress to give a part of Riverside (now Sewell Park) to the school. Flowers also talks about his pride in the institution and being able to work with faculty even when they disagreed. 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.

In the second interview, Daniel Farlow discusses his teaching career in the political science department and the evolution of the college from SWTSTC to SWTSC to SWTSU. He talks about his studies at UT-Austin and being hired by Dr. James Taylor for the then-social science division. He discusses different university administrations of Presidents John Flowers, James McCrocklin, Billy Mac Jones, Lee Smith and Robert L. Hardesty. He shares his predictions for the university's future and its academic reputation.

Dr. Brunson discusses the changes the university's at Texas State has seen over the years. She talks about the challenges of being a woman professor and certain women faculty members, specifically in the English department. Along with discussing the English department's offerings and history, she describes the ways that different university presidents' administrations', including Billy Mac Jones and Dean Ralph Randolph, affected the English department's curriculum and operations. Dr. Brunson recalls her time as chair of the department and helping to establish the Therese Kayser Lindsey Chair. Dr. Brunson reflects on some of her department colleagues, including Dr. Ralph Houston. She talks about changes in students' preparation and changes for women on campus, including the creation of a women's studies minor.

Dr. Charles Chapman talks about his views of Texas State and San Marcos as both a student and a faculty member. He recalls his experiences attending SWTSU in the early 1970s and teaching at Lockhart High School. He discusses his professional and educational career, specifically his time working for Governor Briscoe and the Texas Department of Community Affairs as well as earning his PhD and JD at UT-Austin. Dr. Chapman talks about being elected as District Attorney, living in San Marcos and working with its City Council, and his opinions about Lee Smith and Robert L. Hardesty's university administrations.