Henry Carr Pritchett was the first head of the Sam Houston Normal Institute to bear the title "President". He was born in Missouri in 1852. At age 26, Pritchett was elected as a teacher and co-principal of the Coronal Institute in San Marcos. After three years, he moved to Sam Houston Normal Institute as a professor of mathematics.

The State Democratic Convention nominated Pritchett as the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The governor, Sul Ross, appointed him to the position, and upon Baldwin's resignation, Pritchett was named to the presidency.

One of his proudest accomplishments was the construction of the Peabody Memorial Library. It was the first separate library building for any Texas college. He remained the president until his death 17 years later. The Fort Worth Record described him in May 1908 as "He was a high plateau in the world of education and in the vast reaches of human character."

Joseph Lucien Pritchett, known as "Professor Joe" was the younger brother of Henry Carr Pritchett. Professor Joe was a professor of Mathematics at Sam Houston Normal Institute for 42 years. A visionary individual, Professor Joe, owned much of the property west of the University including the area where Sam Houston Museum and Park are located and "Pritchett Field" athletic center is built.

Sources include: The Houstonian, October 29, 1996, Walker County, Texas: A History, 1986 and research by Johnnie Jo Dickenson.