Texas State: A Name Change Saga
So, you wanna know what Texas State University used to be called? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey through time, or at least through a bunch of boring old names.
From Normal School to University: A Name Odyssey
Let’s start with the basics. Originally, this place was called Southwest Texas State Normal School. Can you imagine? A normal school? Talk about setting the bar low! But hey, they were just starting out, trying to churn out a bunch of teachers who could handle a classroom without spontaneously combusting.
Fast forward a few decades, and they realized, "Hey, maybe 'normal' isn't the most inspiring word." So, they upgraded to Southwest Texas State Normal College. Still not exactly rolling off the tongue, but it's an improvement, right?
Then, they decided to get even more specific and became Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Okay, now we're getting somewhere. They were clearly aiming for clarity, if nothing else. But let's face it, it's still a mouthful.
Finally, in 1959, they decided to ditch the "Teachers" part and went with Southwest Texas State College. Progress! A shorter name, but still not exactly catchy.
The Big Name Change
But the real drama happened in 1969 when they finally decided to become a university. Ta-da! Southwest Texas State University. It was like they were hitting the big time. But even then, they couldn't resist tacking on "San Marcos" for good measure, becoming Texas State University-San Marcos in 2003.
And if you thought that was the end of the story, think again! In 2013, they dropped the "San Marcos" part, and voila! We have the current name, Texas State University.
So, there you have it. A brief and totally unbiased history of the name changes of Texas State University. Who knew picking a name could be so complicated?
How To... Texas State Name Trivia
- How to impress your friends: Drop some of these old names in casual conversation. They'll be amazed at your deep knowledge of Texas higher education.
- How to feel old: Reminisce about the good old days when it was called Southwest Texas State Normal School.
- How to avoid confusion: Just remember it's Texas State University now. Simple.
- How to become a historian: Research the reasons behind each name change. You might discover some interesting facts.
- How to survive a trivia night: Memorize this post. You're welcome.