Do you ever wonder about the people for whom buildings on TWU campuses are named?
While its name recently changed (somewhat), the Student Union at Hubbard Hall still bears the moniker of one of TWU’s most significant and prolific leaders.
Louis H. Hubbard was named the fifth president of the College of Industrial Arts on Feb. 10, 1926, his 44th birthday. During his tenure, Hubbard created an honors program, called for the establishment of a demonstration school so that students could gain experience working with children before graduation, and strongly advocated for graduate education, which began at the college in 1930. At his suggestion, the college’s library began collecting the biographies of great women in 1932 to serve as role models for the students. Today, The Woman’s Collection represents one of the largest research collections on the history of American women in the United States.
Under Hubbard’s leadership, the college’s name was changed to the Texas State College for Women. He also helped bring the Pioneer Woman statue to campus, and initiated campus beautification efforts, spearheading the planting of wildflowers and redbud trees.
Hubbard also led the efforts to build the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods, Stoddard Hall, the Science Building and the campus dining hall. The dining hall later was named in honor of Dr. Hubbard and his wife, Alice. The name changed again (sort of) when the decision was made to relocate the Student Union in the building. The grand opening of the Student Union at Hubbard Hall took place Feb. 26.
Read more about Louis H. Hubbard in the Handbook of Texas.
---
This is the 11th story in an occasional series on the history behind TWU buildings.
Previous stories:
Part I — Stoddard Hall
Part II — Student Union
Part III — Blagg-Huey Library
Part IV — Stark and Guinn residence halls
Part V – TWU T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences – Dallas Center
Part VI — Ann Stuart Science Complex
Part VII — Bralley Annex
Part VIII — Margo Jones Performance Hall
Part IX – Woodcock Hall
Part X — Kitty Magee Arena