Wiggins, Dossie M 1973

Tape 1: Dr. Wiggins summarizes his family background, his education and discusses his early teaching positions and administrative work at Hardin-Simmons and Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy (now UTEP). Tape 2: He discusses his years as President of Texas Tech. Tape 3: He reviews his association with athletics in Texas from his own high school participation to Texas Tech’s program. Tape 4: Dr. Wiggins discusses his banking career and other business and academic interests since leaving Texas Tech. Tape 5: He recalls the Institute of Americanism at Texas Tech, his acquaintance with Preston Smith, and factors influencing his own success.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dossie M. Wiggins

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: April 25, 1973; May 1, 4, 15, and 18, 1973

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: David Murrah

Length: 3 hours 50 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Early childhood in Louisiana recalled, Father was a rice planter, Family moved to Canadian, Texas (1906), Educated at Canadian and Goodnight schools, Comments on academies, Names other schools, Col. Charles Goodnight characterized, Also knew Captain George W. Arrington, Various anecdotes about Col. Goodnight related, Attendance at Hardin-Simmons University discussed, Describes brief military service, Early teaching career summarized, Graduate work in psychology at Yale and University of Chicago, Recalls administrative work at Hardin-Simmons.

Tape 1, Side 2: Administrative work at Hardin-Simmons (continued), Lived in Ferguson Hall, Wife taught business under J. Roy Wells, Salary cut during Depression, Value of doing graduate work at two schools stressed, Evaluation of J. O. Sandefer as President of HSU, Gib Sandefer, manager of the Cowboy Band, characterized, Other members of the Sandefer family listed, Became President of Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy (1935), Cites reasons for his selection, Architecture of the campus described, Economist Tom Morris mentioned, Responsibilities of a college president outlined.

Tape 2, Side 1: Presidency of Texas Western College (formerly Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy; later UTEP) discussed further, Became President of Texas Tech (1948), Circumstances surrounding coming to Tech outlined, Beautification of the campus described, Brought Dr. Elo Urbanovsky to Tech, Beginning of the Tech doctoral programs, Institution of the Distinguished Professorships, Dr. Carl Coke Rister became one, Cites petroleum industry’s interest and help in developing a strong program at Tech, Building program discussed.

Tape 2, Side 2: Presidency of Texas Tech (continued), Building program discussed further, Diversion of ad valorem taxes to state college, building programs recalled, Comments on improvement of faculty, Salary scale of college faculty considered, People brought in by Dr. Wiggins as assistants and administrators named, Mentions members of the Board of Directors, Reasons for leaving Texas Tech explained.

Tape 3, Side 1: Building of the old Tech Museum recalled, Football program at Canadian Academy described, Examines athletic program at Goodnight Academy, Athletics at Hardin-Simmons discussed, Found emphasis on football at Burkburnett, Incident revealed involving attempted recruitment of one athlete, Coaching career at Vernon reviewed, Mentions Eck Curtis, Outlines coaching activities at Canadian.

Tape 3, Side 2: Coaching at Canadian (continued), Automobile trip from Canadian to New Haven, Connecticut described, Hardin-Simmons athletic program in the 1920s discussed, Comments on athletic program at Texas Western College (UTEP), Athletic program at Texas Tech explored, Support for admission to the Southwest Conference recalled, Explains funding of the athletic program, Search for a new football coach remembered, Evaluation of DeWitt Weaver as a coach.

Tape 4, Side 1: Career at Citizens National Bank discussed, Lists positions held, Duties and responsibilities outlined, Public relations function explained, Notes association with Frank Junell in radio station enterprises, Reviews sale and present operation of the bank, Advantages of being a port of Texas Commerce, Bankshares, History of the bank revealed, Various business and academic activities outside the bank described.

Tape 4, Side 2: Cites reasons for staying in Lubbock instead of returning to El Paso.

Tape 5, Side 1: Organization of the Institute of Americanism at Texas Tech recalled, Comments on selection of J. Evetts Haley to head it, Acquaintance with Preston Smith discussed, Evaluation of his work in the legislature, Lists reasons for his success, Stock fraud scandal mentioned, Suggestions of other people to interview regarding Smith, Speculation on the influences on his personal success.

Tape 5, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1906-1973

Bulk Dates: 1920s-1960

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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