Baytown in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Lee College
Photographed By Brian Anderson, March 14, 2021
1. Lee College Marker
Inscription.
Lee College. . In 1934, during the Great Depression and after several years of planning, the residents of the Goose Creek Independent School District voted to establish Lee Junior College, stressing the importance of higher education opportunities for area residents. One hundred seventy-seven students registered during the Fall 1934 semester, and paid less than $15 per semester in fees. The Junior College first shared facilities with Robert E. Lee High School, and classes met at night. In 1935 four women made up the first graduating class, and vocational education was inaugurated with a non-credit class in child psychology. The school’s name was changed to Lee College in 1948, and a separate campus was first utilized in 1951. In 1965, the college separated from Goose Creek C.I.S.D. and obtained its own board of regents., Lee College instituted a college level program in Huntsville at the Texas Department of Corrections in 1966, becoming a pioneer in prison education. The program was designed to reduce recidivism of inmates by offering them educational opportunities, and remains a vital part of the college’s programming. The Lee College honors program was established in 1974 to serve gifted and highly motivated students by preparing them for success in education and employment opportunities. Classes in the program are taught in a seminar format, and several scholarships are awarded through the program based on academic excellence. Lee College continues today to offer academic as well as vocational-technical and continuing education classes to the residents of Baytown and the surrounding area.,
175 Years of Texas Independence 1836 - 2011.
In 1934, during the Great Depression and after several years of planning, the residents of the Goose Creek Independent School District voted to establish Lee Junior College, stressing the importance of higher education opportunities for area residents. One hundred seventy-seven students registered during the Fall 1934 semester, and paid less than $15 per semester in fees. The Junior College first shared facilities with Robert E. Lee High School, and classes met at night. In 1935 four women made up the first graduating class, and vocational education was inaugurated with a non-credit class in child psychology. The school’s name was changed to Lee College in 1948, and a separate campus was first utilized in 1951. In 1965, the college separated from Goose Creek C.I.S.D. and obtained its own board of regents.
Lee College instituted a college level program in Huntsville at the Texas Department of Corrections in 1966, becoming a pioneer in prison education. The program was designed to reduce recidivism of inmates by offering them educational opportunities, and remains a vital part of the college’s programming. The Lee College honors program was established in 1974 to serve gifted and highly motivated students by preparing them for success in education and employment opportunities. Classes in the program are taught in a seminar format,
Click or scan to see this page online
and several scholarships are awarded through the program based on academic excellence. Lee College continues today to offer academic as well as vocational-technical and continuing education classes to the residents of Baytown and the surrounding area.
175 Years of Texas Independence * 1836 - 2011
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16854.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 29° 43.957′ N, 94° 58.696′ W. Marker is in Baytown, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is on Lee Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of Rundell Hall on the campus of Lee College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Lee Drive, Baytown TX 77520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. Lee College - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on March 15, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
2. Lee College. (Submitted on March 15, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.