Brunson, Martha L., 1986 May 12

File — Box: 1, Folder: 6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Dr. Martha Luann Brunson discusses the changes that the university has seen over the years. She talks about the challenges of being a woman professor and certain women faculty members, specifically in the english department. Along with discussing the english department's offerings and history, she describes the ways that different university presidents' administrations, including Billy Mac Jones and Dean Ralph Randolph, affected the english department's curriculum and operations. Brunson recalls her time as chair of the department and helping to establish the Therese Kayser Lindsey Chair. Brunson reflects on some of her department colleagues, including Dr. Ralph Houston. She talks about changes in students' preparation and changes for women on campus, including the creation of a women's studies minor.
Interviewed by Kenneth D. Farrar

Dates

1986 May 12

Creator

From the Collection: Southwest Texas State University. Department of History (Organization)
From the Collection: Brown, Ronald C., 1945- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Biographical note

Dr. Martha Luann Brunson (1931–), a native of Anna, Illinois, joined Southwest Texas State College's English department in 1967. She earned her BS (1952) from Northwestern University and MA (1958) and PhD (1967) from Texas Technical College (now Texas Tech University). Before joining SWTSC, Brunson taught at Texas Tech, Del Mar College, and Plainview and Lubbock public schools. She served as chair of the Department of English from 1972–1983, earning the distinction of being the first woman to chair a large department at the university. Brunson also served as associate dean of liberal arts for fourteen years.

Brunson was a member of the College English Association, Conference of College Teachers of English, Modern Language Association, and Association of Departments of English. She was named professor emerita in 1999.