Dr. Homer Price Rainey, Ph.D (January 19, 1896 – December 19, 1985) was an American college professor, administrator, minister, and politician. He served as the president of several Universities, most notably University of Texas at Austin from 1939 to 1944.[1]
Homer Price Rainey | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 19, 1896 Clarksville, Texas |
| Died | December 19, 1985 Boulder, Colorado |
| Resting place | Mountain View Memorial Park, Boulder, Colorado |
| Education | Lovelady High School
Austin College (B.A) University of Chicago (M.A., Ph.D) |
| Occupation(s) | University President, Clergyman, Politician |
| Known for | Being Fired After his Support for Academic Freedom as the President of the University of Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
Early Life
Rainey was born in Clarksville, Texas. Although raised by a poor farming family, he graduated at valedictorian of Lovelady High School in 1913. After becoming a Baptist Minister, he enlisted in World War I. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree at Austin College, he played for various teams in the Texas League. [2]
Higher Education Career
He began his career in higher education by teaching education at Austin College for 3 years before recieving his masters and doctorate at the University of Chicago. After recieving his doctorate, he taught for 3 years at the University of Oregon, then became the president of Franklin College in Indiana from 1927-1931 before becoming the director of the American Youth Commission of the American Council on Education. In 1939, he was named the President of the University of Texas at Austin, [3] at the time not only the largest university in Texas, but the entire southern half of the United States.
Controversy and Eventual Firing at the University of Texas
Controversy surrounded around Rainey's tenure beginning in 1941, when the Board pressured Rainey to fire 4 economics professor. A year later, the board fired 4 nontenured professors for defending anti labor laws at an anti union meeting, which caused Rainey to protest. He also protested the fact that tenure was weakened and funding for social science was cut completely. What caused the most friction between Rainey and the board was the fact that the board tried to remove John Dos Passos's USA, and tried to fire the professor who put part of the publication in the english department. Although the professor ultimately wasn't fired, this caused uproar from Rainey, going as far as giving his complaints publicly at a faculty meeting. All this, along with the fact that he tried to move the medical branch from Galveston to Austin a couple years earlier, cause the board to fire him on November 1, 1944, although officially they gave no reason[4]
Aftermath
After the firing, 8000 students went on strike and protested at the University and at the state capital. Less than 3 months after his firing, the Governer appointed new board members. While the new members increased funding for social science and re hired the aforementioned fired professors, they did not re-hire Rainey. Several organizations, including the American Association of University Professors, the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and Phi Beta Kappa, reprimanded the university for firing Rainey [5]
After University of Texas
Running for Governer
In 1946, he ran for the Democratic Primary for Governor of Texas, but lost in the primary to Beauford H. Jester, who eventually was elected governor.
Back to Higher Education
After his defeat, he left Texas entirely and became president of Stevens College in Missouri, then a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Later Life and Death
After his retirement, he stayed in Boulder, where he died in 1985.[6]
Legacy
Despite the Controversy and eventual firing, he is a symbol for academic freedom, even to this day, according to the University of Texas' website.[7] He also is believed to be the 1st candidate for a state wide office in Texas supported by labor unions and minorities. Rainey has received numerous honors and awards, including the Robert L. Stearns Award and the outstanding professor award from the University of Colorado[8], as well as receiving an honorary doctorate, the founders medal, the distinguished alumnus award from Austin College. He also was elected to their athletic hall of fame and an award was named after him.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "University of Texas President" (PDF).
- ^ GREEN, GEORGE N. (2010-06-15). "RAINEY, HOMER PRICE". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ^ GREEN, GEORGE N. (2010-06-15). "RAINEY, HOMER PRICE". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ^ GREEN, GEORGE N. (2010-06-15). "RAINEY, HOMER PRICE". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ^ GREEN, GEORGE N. (2010-06-15). "RAINEY, HOMER PRICE". tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ^ "Memorial of Homer Price Rainey". Find a Grave.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Homer Price Rainey | Office of the President | The University of Texas at Austin". president.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ^ "Memorial of Homer Price Rainey".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Homer P. Rainey Award". Austin College. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
External links
- Homer Price Rainey Papers at the State Historical Society of Missouri
- Homer Price Rainey Biography in the Handbook of Texas
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