page_title: History of the University of Texas at Arlington (1917–1965)
section_title: Grubbs Vocational College (1917–1923)
hierarchical_section_title: History of the University of Texas at Arlington (1917–1965) / Grubbs Vocational College (1917–1923)
caption_attribution_description: English: Sewing Laboratory at Grubbs Vocational College; young women at sewing machines and tables.
context_page_description: The history of the University of Texas at Arlington between 1917 and 1965 was the period of its existence as a member of the Texas A&M University System. In March 1917, it was organized as Grubbs Vocational College, a junior college that was a branch campus of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, which later became Texas A&M University. Open only to white students, the curriculum at GVC centered around the agricultural, industrial, and mechanical trades. In May 1923, the college was renamed North Texas Agricultural College due to the rapid expansion of its liberal arts curriculum, the fact that it was no longer just a vocational institution, and its quickly growing enrollment. During the Great Depression and World War II, NTAC survived major declines in enrollment and multiple attempts by the state government to close it. Beginning in 1937, there was a movement in Arlington to elevate NTAC to four-year college status, but this goal would not be realized for more than two decades. Student life during the NTAC era was vibrant, although there was a cultural split between the students who lived on campus and those who commuted for classes.
context_section_description: Grubbs Vocational College (GVC) was organized as a junior college in March 1917. It was established as a branch campus of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (AMC), which later became Texas A&M University. The namesake of GVC was Vincent W. Grubbs, a judge from Greenville who was instrumental in the creation of the college. Grubbs was a strong supporter of the state's agricultural, industrial, and mechanical schools, which he believed provided a critical education "for the poor boys and girls of Texas". He was convinced that the existing system of higher education in the state was unfair to poor and rural children, particularly those growing up on farms. Grubbs himself was a native of Kentucky who moved to Texas during his childhood, eventually becoming a lawyer and a contributor and co-owner of a newspaper. In 1902, he was instrumental in the establishment of the College of Industrial Arts (later renamed Texas Woman's University) in Denton.
  In spring 1917, Grubbs lobbied the 35th legislative session in Austin to secure the establishment of what was to become GVC through House Bill 656 and Senate Bill 449. While he was at the capitol, his friend A. D. Jackson recommended the name "Grubbs Vocational College" for the school. On March 20, the parallel bills were passed by both the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, and on March 25 Texas governor James E. Ferguson signed them into law. The bills defined the mission of GVC to be "the education of white boys and girls" in Texas. They also established John Tarleton Agricultural College (JTAC) in Stephenville, likewise as part of the AMC system.
  GVC was established with its own advisory "local board of managers", but this body was placed under the direction and ultimate authority of the board of directors at AMC in College Station. Grubbs himself was never selected as dean of GVC, a snub that caused lasting resentment for him. From its establishment in 1917 through 1925 (after the college was renamed), Myron L. Williams served as the dean of GVC. He was a colleague and friend of AMC president William Bizzell, and he was given the title of dean instead of president because GVC was a branch campus of the school in College Station. Williams was a native of Oenaville, Texas, who was educated at Sam Houston Normal Institute, the University of Texas at Austin, and Columbia University. He had teaching experience in Amarillo, Clarendon, and Miami as well as at the College of Industrial Arts in Denton.
  The curriculum at GVC centered around the agricultural, industrial, and mechanical trades. Classes in bookkeeping, commercial law, home economics, and stenography were also taught. The college provided its students with two years of secondary education and two years of college-level education. When GVC first opened, it offered college-level agricultural courses for male students and household arts courses for female students. The curriculum closely resembled that at AMC so that male students could easily transfer to College Station. Students had to be 14 years of age in order to enroll.
  The college's cadet program was obligatory for all male students, and it comprised one battalion with four companies and eight platoons. In 1918, GVC established its Student Army Training Corps (SATC), which inducted students into the United States Army as privates. A total of 62 male GVC students participated in the SATC, although none saw active duty in Europe before Armistice Day in November 1918. The campus more broadly supported the war effort by donating to the American Red Cross and United War Work Fund, purchasing Liberty bonds and war savings stamps, and conserving food. In 1919–20, GVC created an entire program for disabled soldiers returning from World War I. In fall 1921, the college established its Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), to which the War Department assigned Captain Carl A. Bishop and Lieutenant L. W. Caine. Captain Bishop also established a rifle team at GVC.
  Female students had to sew their own gingham dresses as part of their uniform while all students h
caption: Sewing laboratory at GVC, undated
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