The Sam Houston State University Self-Study will strive to fulfill three primary purposes in conjunction with our application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for reaffirmation of accreditation:

That history began in 1876, when Austin College moved from Huntsville to Sherman, leaving behind what was to become the University's architectural symbol, Austin Hall. After functioning briefly as the site for a Methodist school for boys, Austin Hall was acquired by a group of Huntsville citizens who wanted to establish the first teacher-training school in the southwestern United States. Thus, on April 21, 1879, Sam Houston Normal Institute (SHNI) was officially authorized by Governor Oran M. Roberts, and in October the school opened with one hundred ten students and four faculty members. The institution's first president was Bernard Mallon, who died only eleven days after the school opened. He was succeeded by H. H. Smith, who served until 1881.

During the next twenty-five years SHNI continued to grow and expand, and by the early nineteen hundreds enrollment exceeded five hundred students. In 1908 Harry F. Estill became President. Under his leadership the curriculum was expanded to four years, and in 1919 the first baccalaureate degree was awarded. In 1923 the name of the institution was changed to Sam Houston State Teachers College, and two years later the College became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1936 graduate programs were offered for the first time, and the first dormitory for women, Belvin Hall, was built.

Just after the beginning of WWII Harmon Lowman was named President, and the College enjoyed a steady growth period, with the enrollment passing the 5,000 mark in 1964. The following year Arleigh B. Templeton was appointed President. Shortly thereafter the institution's name was changed from Sam Houston State Teachers College to Sam Houston State College. In 1969 the school became Sam Houston State University, with an enrollment of more than 8,500 students. During Templeton's presidency the school enjoyed tremendous growth: the criminal justice program was developed; the Newton Gresham Library, as well as several classroom buildings, were added; and both the undergraduate and graduate curriculums continued to grow and diversify.

Dr. Elliott T. Bowers, who served as President from 1970-1989, directed another major expansion project. Added to the east side of the campus were the University Theatre Center, the Teacher Education Center, the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, and the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center. The second phase of the project included the Health/Kinesiology Building, the Lee Drain Building, the Dan Rather Communications Building, the Fine Arts Building, and a new 13,000-seat stadium and field house (later named Elliott T. Bowers Stadium and Field House).

In 1989 Martin J. Anisman was named President. Under his leadership admission standards were elevated, and an Across-the-University Writing Program was initiated. Other developments included the establishment of the Texas Regional Institute for Environmental Studies and the construction of the Katy and E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center; in addition, the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas was moved from Austin to the SHSU campus, and the University held its Bicentennial Birthday Celebration.

Bobby K. Marks served as Interim President following Dr. Anisman's resignation and subsequently became the University's eleventh President in June 1996. He announced at the opening of the fall term that his administration would focus primarily on three areas: the use of technology in the classroom, student retention, and fundraising.

In 1997, as the self-study is initiated, Sam Houston State University has a current enrollment of 12,713 students and offers an extensive range of baccalaureate and master's degree programs. In addition, the doctorate in the College of Criminal Justice has been offered for more than a decade, and a new doctoral program in educational leadership has recently been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A proposal to offer a new doctorate in forensic psychology is also currently under consideration. As the twentieth century closes and the twenty-first is about to open, Sam Houston State University is prepared and dedicated to render quality service in higher education to the citizens of Texas and to continue to strive to improve and progress as we carry out our mission.

The current self-study is committed to the principles of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools relative to institutional accreditation. Our comprehensive goals are not only to acknowledge and highlight the strengths of our university, but also to identify areas which need strengthening; and in the case of the latter, to develop strategies for improvement and enhancement.