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

As the trustees wrestled with the issues
brought about with increased enrollment, they
applied to the Texas State Department of Public
Welfare to oversee an election to determine if
the employees wanted to enter the Social
Security program. A referendum was conducted
and by a vote of 33 to 3, the college personnel
voted to join Social Security. 64
Another policy change that affected the faculty
in 1955 was the board’s adoption of a
salary schedule for teachers. Under the new pay
scheme an instructor with a master’s degree and
no teaching experience received $3,600 a year;
with a master’s degree and thirty additional
hours, $3,700; and with a doctor’s degree,
$3,800. An annual increment of $150, to a
maximum of 12 years, was permitted. When
instructors were employed, they could receive
up to 5 years credit for previous teaching experience.
However, the “increments allowed for
prior service are $100 per year.” The salary
schedule provided no incentive for an instructor
to earn additional graduate credit or pursue
a doctor’s degree. Over the following decades,
the salary schedule underwent meaningful
change to encourage and reward faculty for
acquiring additional graduate hours or earning
a doctor’s degree. 65
In the Spring of 1955, Shinn’s track team
regained the national junior college championship
after a stellar performance at the national
meet in Hutchinson, Kansas. The squad
accumulated 91 points, doubling the points of
their nearest opponent, McCook, Nebraska. The
Pirate 880 yard relay team of John Mozisek,
George Gillar, Danny Fritsch, and Lewis
Hutchinson established a new record. Victoria
College tracksters who finished first in their
respective contests were Fred Reuter, 100 and
200 yard dashes; Vollie Williams, 120 yard high
hurdles and 220 yard low hurdles; Pete
Sardelich, 440 yard dash; and Marvin Machac,
shot-put. 66
Marshall McCleary’s first year as the college
tennis coach was a memorable one. The astute
English instructor as mentor of the team guided
the squad to the 1956 Longhorn Conference
championship. In fact, the Pirates completely
dominated the conference meet. Ken Pickett
beat his teammate Ralph Gilstrap in the men’s
singles. Pickett and Gilstrap in turn defeated
their college cohorts, John Swoboda and David
Patrick in the finals of the men’s doubles. The
women’s single finals was an all Victoria College
affair as well. Jenell Kolle won her match against
Merle Overgoner. Kolle and Helen Urban captured
the women’s doubles from Del Mar, the
only other entrant to win points. 67
The Pirate track squad successfully defended
its national championship in the spring of
1956. Shinn’s team, whom he considered to be
his finest track group, won the Border
Olympics, Blinn Relays, and Longhorn
Conference meet before taking the national
✯
The Aggie Club’s ship S. S. Pirate
“floats” down Main Street in a
Homecoming Parade.
The Dynamic Duo ✦ 89