The section below narrates the events of the formal opening of the new SFA campus through the accounts in the The Daily Sentinel on April 30 and May 1 and through the Minutes of the Board of Regents. Take notice of the phrase in the acceptance resolution, "subject to the completion of a few minor details . . . ." Even in late spring of 1924, the Austin Building still had a few problems! While the newpaper's description of the Austin Building's functionality has been omitted, the description of the Library, which was a first, has been included. The newspaper account also cites for the first time major donations to the university. The donation by Mr. Aikman of a new gym for the college is detailed elsewhere in the pages this week, as is the backgound of "The Pine Tree Hymn." - Editor's Note by Jere Jackson.

The Daily Sentinel, April 30, 1924

The Stone Fort City donned its gala attire today in celebration of the completion of the Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College and its acceptance by the State Board of Regents from the contractor S. A. Mote of Dallas. . . . Members of the board were met at Jacksonville by a committee headed by President A. W. Birdwell of the college and driven in autos to the city, arriving between 9 and 10 o'clock Tuesday night. . . . Quarters had been engaged at the Redland Hotel for the male members of the board and Miss Neal became the guest of the family of President Birdwell. The arrival of the distinguished visitors was the occasion of much quiet rejoicing by our people.

Board of Regents Minutes, April 30, 1924

At 10 o'clock A. M., the members went out to the auditorium [on the Washington Square campus] where the school was assembled, and interesting talks were made by the members of the Board, President Birdwell, and Mr. Davis, the city Superintendent.

After meeting the student body, composed of some 600 students, quartered in the High School building of the City of Nacogdoches, on the permission of Supt. Davis, and the members attended the Rotary Luncheon . . . .

After a delightful luncheon and entertainment . . .the Board went to a new college building [the Austin Building] for its inspection and a business session with President Birdwell and the contractors.

The building was looked over very carefully by the members of the Board with Architect Ketchum . . . . The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, that the Board . . . accept the building . . . subject to the completion of a few minor details . . . .

The Daily Sentinel, April 30, 1924

Chairman Flowers accepted the completed structure in behalf of the board for the educational department. A large crowd assembled to witness this consummation of a long-desired addition to the educational facilities of East Texas.

This splendid building is situated on a beautiful 40-acre campus, part of a 208 acre tract in the northern suburbs donated by the citizens of Nacogdoches. It is three stories constructed of concrete and brick, with gray brick and stone finish, is fireproof, steam heated and contains twenty-five recitation rooms, in addition to the presidents' office, six teachers' offices and quarters for the demonstration school of seven grades, which serves as a laboratory for the demonstration of educational theory. . . .[The faculty names were then given. In the list of faculty members in the newspaper, two new names appear: Mrs. Karle Wilson Baker, English and Miss Virdian Barham, History.]

The Library

The library is located on the second floor of the main building. It provides a well balanced collection of books for the use of teachers and students, in classroom and laboratory work, and further provides a collection of books for general reading that will appeal to readers of all ages and various tastes, and will help them develop the reading habit and taste for good literature. In the field of professional study and in the principal academic fields the library provides ample means for the pursuit of standard college courses. Special facilities are available for vocational subjects. It is also well equipped with current pamphlets, magazines and newspapers.

The library is free to the students and to residents of the district and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday and holidays.

Under the direction of the librarian, courses are given in how to use the card catalogues, indexes and common reference books.

Founders Loan Fund

Hon. Eugene H. Blount, president of the Commercial Guaranty State Bank, and representative from Nacogdoches county in the state legislature, recently donated to the college $1,000 as the nucleus for a loan fund for students of limited means who may undertake to work their way through college. He requested that this fund be designated "The Eugene H. Blount, Jr. Foundation," in commemoration of his only son, recently dead at the age of four months. He announced in making the gift that he would eventually augment this sum by an amount equal to the total cost of a collegiate education for his son had he lived. It is expected that other donations to the foundation will be made.

Gives Price of Auditorium

Learning of the plans of the citizens of the town to raise by public contributions enough money to pay for the erection of an auditorium and gymnasium for the school, Mr. F. S. Aikman, president of the Mahdeen Company, came forward and requested to be allowed to donate the total estimated cost of the building, $12,000, and made that sum immediately available for that purpose.

Rotarians Entertain

Complimenting the members of the State Board of Normal Regents, here to accept the Stephen F. Austin State Teachers' College building from the contractor, the Nacogdoches Rotary Club gave a luncheon at 12:30 today at the Lockey Tea Rooms, at which the following additional guests were present. Mayor W. J. Baker, Hon. W. E. Thomason, President Carl Monk of the Chamber of Commerce, . . .Mrs. Karle Wilson Baker, Texas' poet laureate; Mrs. French Murphey, and Mrs. W. D. Ambrose, the sweet singer of East Texas.

The Daily Sentinel, May 1, 1924

THE ROTARY LUNCHEON

The luncheon tendered by the Rotary Club in honor of the visiting board of regents Wednesday afternoon was one of the most successful entertainments given by that enterprising and loyal organization. . . . Brief speeches were made by several of the visitors. Dr. T. H. Mussleman of the board . . . spoke of the unusual beginnings, of the activities of the school, and its handicaps, now happily overcome, its fine start and the glowing prospects ahead, mentioning its record attendance of more than 600 hundred students by the end of the first term. He predicted an enrollment of 1500 in the not distant future. He dwelt encouragingly upon what the school meant for the educational interest of the entire state, and announced that the board had formerly taken over the building of which he said some very pleasing things.

Mrs. Karle Wilson Baker read a poem of her own composition, "A Ballad of the Alamo," and encored with another of her productions, "The Pine Tree Hymn," written as a tribute to the college and which has been adopted by the school and will be set to music by Miss Pritchett, in charge of the music department. Dr. Birdwell, in commenting on this beautiful poem said that the students of the college throughout all coming years will sing this hymn, which makes a strong appeal to the pride of the student body.

The announcement of the death of a brother of Dr. M. O. Flowers, chairman of the board, and his consequent absence from the luncheon, cast a damper on what otherwise would have been an altogether enjoyable occasion. The dinner arranged by the faculty of the college for the board and the fishing trip on Thursday were abandoned in consequence of the sorrowful news received by Mr. Flowers.