Birdwell, Alton W., 1923 - 1957
Scope and Contents
Birdwell's series is divided into different sub-series across 13 boxes. Sub-series 01 contains of Board of Regents reports Birdwell gave to the Board of Regents of Texas State Teachers Colleges. Sub-series 02 contains official reports and materials concerning SFA-related matterrs, such as building construction and budget decisions. Sub-series 03 contains correspondence Birdwell conducted in his official role as President. Sub-series 04 contains documentation of his efforts to preserve the history of East Texas, including materials belonging to Thomas J. Rusk. Sub-series 05 contains text of Birdwell's speeches, articles, materials prepared for publication, and documents relating to activities beyond SFA, including the Texas State Defense Council. Sub-series 06 contains various documents produced during Birdwell's time as President Emeritus. Sub-series 07 contains materials relating to the Texas State Teachers Association, the bulk of which concerns the Teacher Retirement System and an increase in the state apportionment for public schools, which Birdwell fought for during his time as President of the TSTA during 1937. Sub-series 08 consists of phonographic recordings of Birdwell's speeches. Sub-series 09 consists of correspondence and other materials that deal with Birdwell's personal life beyond SFA. Sub-series 10 contains cassette recordings.
Dates
- Creation: 1923 - 1957
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Alton William Birdwell was born on September 18, 1870 near Elkhart, Texas to George Preston Birdwell and Addie Kilgore Birdwell. After attending school till the age of 12, Alton suffered a bout of malaria and had to withdraw from school. He would continue his schooling at home till he was 19 when he in Troup and later attended summer normal schools in Omen. Birdwell would also go onto attended summer schools at the University of Texas, University of Missouri, and University of Chicago. Birdwell started his career in education in 1892 at a school in Pleasant Retreat. He went on to serve as the principal in Tyler, a superintendent of schools in Troup, and the superintendent of Smith County Schools. In 1910 Alton went on to become a professor of history at Southwest Texas State University. In 1914 he married Maude Margaret Shipe, who also happened to be a teacher. Mr. Birdwell started taking classes in normal school administration from Peabody College and earned a master's degree in 1916. He returned to Southwest Texas State University and served as dean of the faculty. Alton Birdwell was appointed the first President of Stephen F. Austin State Normal School in 1917. With the outbreak of World War I the opening of SFASNS was delayed and Birdwell stayed on at SWT until the end of the war. In August of 1922 Alton and his family moved to Nacogdoches, after the State Legislature approved an appropriation to for the construction of the first building on campus and for the maintenance of the institution, to supervise the construction of the new college, organize faculty and serve as president. The opening of the college was delayed as construction of the Austin Building was not going as fast as planned, but on September 18, 1923 Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College opened for classes. Mr. Birdwell was able to sustain SFA in the early years as falling enrollment and legislative cuts during the Great Depression strained the funding of the College. Prior to his retirement President Birdwell was conferred an honorary Ph. D. in Philosophy from Southwest University of Georgetown for his leadership and contributions to the field of education in 1940. Upon retiring in 1941 Dr. Birdwell was bestowed the position of President Emeritus until his death on October 25, 1954.Note written by Greg Bailey
Extent
From the Collection: 1 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
This collection was open for research under a different organization and was previously numbered as UA 004.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition of the collection is questionable. Control files state unknown as the date the materials were received and also states it came from the Office of the President.
Repository Details
Part of the East Texas Research Center Repository