Replies

Just a bad joke.
They do have a Dan Rather media center on campus.
Here is the real history of SHSU.

Austin College initially occupied the current site of Sam Houston State University. In 1876 it was moved to Sherman, Texas, but Austin Hall, which was dedicated in 1851 with Texas hero Sam Houston in attendance, is now the university's architectural symbol.

After it was used as a Methodist school for boys, Austin Hall was acquired in 1879 by a group of Huntsville citizens. They had first failed to have their city designated as the Texas state capital, but settled instead for the first teacher-training school in the southwestern United States. Establishment of Sam Houston Normal Institute was authorized by Texas Gov. Oran M. Roberts on April 21, 1879 (San Jacinto Day). On October 10 of that year the predecessor of Sam Houston State University opened with 110 students and four faculty members. Its first president was Bernard Mallon, who died only 11 days after the school opened. He was succeeded by H. H. Smith, who served until 1881.

Joseph Baldwin headed the Normal School from 1881 until 1891. Under his presidency, in 1890, Old Main was built and occupied, allowing space for an additional year of study for students wishing to remain beyond the traditional two-year program. Old Main was destroyed by fire on February, 12, 1982.

President H. Carr Pritchett's tenure (1891-1908) saw the continued expansion of the campus, including the addition of Peabody Library, and an enrollment increase to 529 by the time of his death in 1908.

During the 29 years of Harry F. Estill's presidency (1908-1937) Sam Houston Normal Institute continued to expand to meet the needs of a growing state. The curriculum was expanded to four years and the first baccalaureate degree awarded in 1919. In 1923 the name of the institution was changed to Sam Houston State Teachers College and two years later the college became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1936 graduate programs were offered for the first time, and the first dormitory for women, Belvin Hall, was built.

After Charles N. Shaver's five-year tenure, during which the first men's dormitory was built, Harmon L. Lowman served as president for 22 years. The campus expanded rapidly under Lowman, especially in the area of residence halls and instructional facilities, and by 1964 the enrollment exceeded 5,000.

In 1965, during the presidency of Arleigh B. Templeton (1965-1970), Sam Houston State Teachers College was renamed Sam Houston State College. In 1969 the school became Sam Houston State University. During Templeton's tenure the university enjoyed tremendous growth: the criminal justice program was developed, the Newton Gresham Library and several instructional facilities were added, and by the time of Templeton's resignation in 1970 enrollment had surpassed 8,500.