Jenkins, Jean A

Mrs. Jean Jenkins, a 1935 Texas Tech graduate, recalls early Texas Tech faculty and students and her work with the Tech Placement Service as its director since 1947. On Tape 5 she recalls the introduction of the women’s sorority system onto the Tech campus in the early 1950s.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Jean A. Jenkins (Mrs. J. Harmon)

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: February 6 and 10, 1975; March 10, 1975; April 16, 1975

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Marshall L. Pennington

Length: 5 hours, 30 minutes (total)

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Autobiographical data presented, Father described, Meeting of parents in Sterling City, Grandparents were of Swiss background, Anecdote about a mean cow, Attended Texas Tech after one year at Missouri State University, Women’s self-governing council in Doak Hall, Dean Mary W. Doak characterized, Met various deans through work on La Ventana, Dr. M. E. Ogden early government professor mentioned, Relationship with faculty, Very familiar with Dean Arthur H. Leidigh’s family, Comments on friendliness of Tech students, Apathy of Tech students, Reasons for Tech’s sudden growth, Attitudes of West Texans toward Texas Tech.

Tape 1, Side 2: West Texans’ pride in Texas Tech (continued), Reason Tech was located in Lubbock, Tells of General Electric representative who came to Lubbock to discover, the secret of good will between Lubbock and Tech, Mortar Board, women’s honorary society, discussed, Discussion of the Forum, an honorary women’s service organization, Dean James M. Gordon remembered, Canon Clements, Tech’s first Rhodes scholar, Father’s objection to football, Early initiation of athletes into Double T Association recalled, Recollections of football coach Pete Cawthon, Married J. Harmon Jenkins (1937), Dean Margaret Weeks mentioned, National Youth Administration (1930s), First placement activities noted, School administrators sought personnel.

Tape 2, Side 1: Work as secretary to Dean Mary W. Doak in Dean of Women’s office, Dealt with students’ records, Women’s Recognition Service described, J. H. Grimsley mentioned, Forum again mentioned, Difficulty in bringing women’s clubs to campus, Importance of American Association of University Women approval, Sue Rainey’s work with Mortar Board, Dean Doak recalled, Strong affiliation of Tech students discourages outside interference, Placement Service originated (1947), Took position as director, Anecdote concerning Dr. William M. Whyburn, Changed from small teacher placement service to a university-wide service, Importance of a well-organized student file, Tips given a student on how to improve his file.

Tape 2, Side 2: Cooperation of faculty in compiling students’ files, Problems in bringing together employer and teacher to discuss student, Traits important to employers, 600 employers worked through the Placement Service (1969), Worked predominantly with juniors and seniors, Arranged individual conferences with students, Attitudes of women students toward employment, Preparing for interview, Calendar prepared 1 to 1.5 years in advance, Discussion of intern programs, Reasons for decrease in number of recruiters.

Tape 3, Side 1: First signs of recession in early 1970s, Single unfavorable incident concerning recruiting mentioned, Reason for Texas Tech being chosen as site for recruiting school, Credit given to faculty for being helpful, Discontent of students and faculty when job recruiters did not hire from Tech, Anecdote about Jay Thompson a former Student Association president, Protest concerning Texas Tech’s name change, Attitude toward budget for Placement Service, Problems with staffing, Effect of recession on Placement Service, Comments on budget cuts, History of Placement Service under Dr. William M. Whyburn, Humorous incidents related to interviewing, Placement Service under later presidents, Dr. Robert Ewalt mentioned, Milton Peeples’ conversation with Carl Swenson a Stamford rancher.

Tape 3, Side 2: Mr. Swenson’s favorable impression of Texas Tech, John Bradford’s support of the Placement Service, Plans for movement of the Placement Service to West Hall, Activities, Membership on campus committees, Advisor to Tech women’s organizations, Board of Lubbock Campfire Council, Professional placement associations, Women who helped form Mortar Board mentioned, Margaret W. Weeks, Mary W. Doak, Vivian Adams, Sue Rainey, Recognized by Ex-Students Association, Participation of Tech faculty and administration in community affairs, Story of General Electric representative retold, Comments on interest in the arts, Louise Allen mentioned in connection with Lubbock Women’s Club, Edna Houghton noted, Anecdote told about Marshall Pennington.

Tape 4, Side 1: Discussion of change from 44 to 40 work hours per week, Attitude toward working, Story told about bus ride in New York, Incidents during World War II concerning human nature.

Tape 4, Side 2: Blank

Tape 5, Side 1: National fraternities, Banned (1924-1953), Allowed, Board of Regents’ decision, Switch from local to national, Alumni, Students Sororities, Impact on campus life, American Association of University Women, Switch from local to national (again), National Rush, Groups’ names, Selection Process, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Role of the University, Faculty Advisers, Dean Allen, Dean of Women, Pan-Hellenic Council, La Chapparitas Club decision, Lodge vs. house systems, Greek dormitory proposal, Cost of lodge system, Later sorority arrivals, Alpha Delta Pi, Benefits to girls and schools of sorority system, As advisor, Competing traditions, Local vs. national, Presentation dances, [Blank tape at end].

Tape 5, Side 2: [Blank tape at beginning], Clothing styles, Girls in men’s wear (1940s), Petticoats long earrings (1950s), Church service tradition, Chapter size, Local clubs, Women’s fraternities, Pledge quotas, Kappa Kappa Gamma (again), Traditions, Men’s fraternities, Transition from local to national, Service organizations, AWS transition to WSO, Fraternal bonds, Houses, Importance of chapter officers.

Range Dates: 1924-1975

Bulk Dates: 1930-1975

Access Information

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