The Victoria College, 1925-2000: A Tradition of Excellence

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Who said “Cheese?”
that he could “see no logical basis for opposition
to this issue.” When Moore’s turn came to speak,
he gave a breakdown on how the funds were to
be spent. The business manager “stressed the
need for the right site, and for one large enough
to take care of future growth.” 51
As before in the first election, the Student
Council extended a helping hand by holding at
the college a round-up designed principally for
alumni, but the public was welcome to attend.
Johnny Goldsum, Student Council president,
and members of the organization received
donations from the business community to provide
free barbeque and proper trimmings for
the guests. V. T. Kallus, one of the finest cooks
who ever graced an apron, was in charge of
preparing the food. Gibb Gilchrist, president of
Texas A&M College, was the invited speaker.
Prior to making his presentation to those in
attendance on May 26, Gilchrist qualified his
remarks with a disclaimer of taking sides in the
bond issue. He did admit that his comments
tilted toward junior colleges in general. In his
presentation Gilchrist elaborated on the growth
of junior colleges in Texas; the need for twoyear
colleges, especially with the trend toward
specialization at the senior universities; and
financial assistance from the state to the junior
colleges. At one point during the speech, the
Texas A&M president turned toward Wearden
and remarked in a serious tone, “I believe that
the junior college movement is going to succeed.”
Gilchrist closed his talk with a statement
aimed directly at the college officials and
endorsed the junior college concept. He said,
“There can be no greater service to the community
and the state than such a move.” 52
So that the taxpayers would have some visual
relationship as to how their money was to be
spent, the board employed architect Kai J.
Leffland and structural engineer Jordan C. Ault
to come up with a proposed college campus.
The architectural firm, with input from Moore,
who had visited junior college campuses
throughout Texas, designed a smartly laid out
campus, the centerpiece being a two-story
58 ✦ THE VICTORIA COLLEGE, 1925-2000