Researching Departmental Histories
Need to find the history of your department (or college, or school)? It will likely take some research, as there aren't many existing departmental histories. Fortunately, many of our key resources are now digitized and available online.
Contact Information
University Archives
Alkek Library, Room 580
Research by appointment
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
The University Archives is physically located on the 5th floor of the Alkek Library. In-person and virtual research assistance is generally available Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm (excluding holidays and energy conservation days).
Research appointments are required for in-person research to allow time for retrieval of offsite materials, to reserve research space, and to allow staff to sanitize the space between researchers. Walk-in assistance is dependent on staff and space availability, as researchers with appointments are given priority. Masks are encouraged.
To request virtual or in-person assistance, please Ask an Archivist.
Primary resources for departmental history
- Course catalogsCatalogs provide information about schools, departments, faculty, and courses taught. The publication also gives an overview of the physical plant, including mentions of new buildings.
- PedagogsThe student yearbook, the Pedagog, is our primary resource for researching campus life. Content varies by decade, but often include photographs of faculty members, student groups, and buildings.
- Photographs & news clippingsThe University Archives holds some "people" files from the University News Service, dating from about the 1960s through the 1980s. To request information about individual faculty/staff members, e-mail University Archives with a list of names.
Secondary resources
- The Administration of John Garland FlowersTime period: 1942-1964
This narrative begins with an overview of the history of the college to 1942, when Flowers became president. Remaining chapters describe the growth of the institution's academics and the physical plant during President Flowers' administration, 1942-1964. - Fifty Years of Teacher EducationThis 50-year history of Texas State includes information about the early campus, such as when Riverside (now Sewell Park) was leased from the federal government, when we acquired other properties, etc.
- Beacon on the Hill: Southwest Texas State University, 1903-1978The second official history was written to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the school in the fall of 1903. The book contains information about faculty, administrators, and the development of the university.
- Up the Hill, Down the YearsThe 100th anniversary history of Texas State University. Includes information about the history of academic and administrative departments.