Timeline Series 1950s With our upcoming Centennial in 2010, West Texas A&M University takes a look back at the past 99 years. In the months to come, we’ll bring you snippets of WTAMU history through the accounts of the past and photos from days gone by.
The Cornette Era
With the retirement of J.A. Hill in 1948, much responsibility for dealing with the explosive growth of the college in the postwar period fell to its third president, James P. Cornette. This marked the beginning the Cornette Era, which reigned for more than two decades. One of the first changes would be the curriculum and its administration. In 1950 all departmental offerings were assigned to four divisions: humanities; social sciences; sciences; and professional and vocational.
Vast Program of Development
As enrollment soared, the campus constantly echoed with the sounds of construction. During the 1950’s, a new president’s residence, a library, a field house, a fine arts building, a football stadium, two dormitories and a chapel were built along with additions to several dorms, the student union, cafeteria and science building. Sixteen new buildings and additions were added to the campus between 1950 and 1957, followed by three more in 1958.
As the campus continued to grow, so did the faculty. Eighteen new faculty members were named in 1955 and 16 more in 1957. The new staffers were onboard to accommodate the more than 3,000 students enrolled in the fall of 1958.
An exciting tradition that began in 1958 was the national affiliation of on-campus social fraternities, along with the installation of national sorority chapters.
Interesting Facts
Tuition for 12 semester credit hours was $50, and a room and meal ticket went for $255.
Freshmen wore green “slime” beanies.
Western Days was an annual event that coincided with Homecoming. Students who didn’t conform to the Western Days’ dress code were tossed in the “hoss tank.” | 
