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University History: 1965 Higher Education Act

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Signing of the Higher Education Act

"Lyndon Johnson returned to his alma mater on November 8, 1965, to sign the Higher Education Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation to be enacted during his presidency and a cornerstone of his Great Society. -- Connections: Lyndon B. Johnson in San Marcos, p.32.

For the story of the signing, along with photographs and remarks made by President Johnson upon signing the Higher Education Act, see Connections: Lyndon B. Johnson in San Marcos, pages 32-41. 

Photographs (from archives series 80.300.LBJ)

The President and First Lady arrive by helicopter

Walking with the crowd

On the way to the gym

Signing moved indoors because of rain (1)

Signing moved indoors because of rain (2)

Signing moved indoors because of rain (3)

The crowd gathered in the gym

News cameras

LBJ at the podium

View from the desk

With Jesse C. Kellam

With J.J. "Jake" Pickle

Photograph from the 1971(?) exhibit

HEA 20th Anniversary Sculpture 1985

HEA 20th Anniversary Sculpture - Plaque 1985

Contact Information

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University Archives

Alkek Library, Room 580

 

Research by appointment

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

 

univarchives.txstate.edu

 

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

     

Oral Histories

As Texas State prepared for the 100th anniversary of LBJ's birthday in 2008, an oral history project was launched to help document Johnson's impact on the local community and beyond.  Of the forty-five or so interviews collected by Barbara Thibodeaux, nine are noted to contain references to the Higher Education Act.  Transcripts of those interviews are included here.

LBJ Lecture Series

"The Lyndon B. Johnson Distinguished Lecture Series ... was inauguraged in 1982 by President Emeritus Robert Hardesty.  But the series itself was Johnson's idea."   Connections: Lyndon B. Johnson in San Marcos, p.42

Two of the lectures specifically addressed the Higher Education Act.  The (unedited) transcripts for these lectures are provided here.