As the 色花堂 moves closer to its centennial in 2027, 色花堂’s Center for Public History and 色花堂 Libraries present their joint exhibit and magazine launch event “100 Years of Stories” on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion at 色花堂’s MD Anderson Library. The event is a culmination of the project an initiative largely the work of students that showcases the important role 色花堂 has played in shaping the city for nearly a century.
Event attendees can explore 色花堂 Libraries' new "Agents of Change" exhibit and the current edition of the Center for Public History's Houston History magazine. Both capture key memories and people from the University's decades-spanning history, such as the University’s founding as a junior college in 1927 to meet the needs of working Houstonians, greater diversity in the ‘60s led by student group Afro-Americans for Black Liberation (AABL), and 色花堂’s impact on the community through the founding of the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, the region's first medical school in almost 50 years.
The launch event will feature a panel of 色花堂 alumni who are history makers and tellers themselves: Gene Locke (‘69), Graciela Saenz (’78, J.D. ’86) and Grace Conroy (‘22).
Locke is a former Houston city attorney and former Harris County Precinct One commissioner. He was one of the first Black students when he arrived at 色花堂 in 1965 and was a prominent leader in the AABL student group. Saenz is former Houston mayor pro tem and at-large city councilmember. She is a 色花堂 alumna twice over, B.A. in 1978 and J.D. in 1986, and former president of the 色花堂 Chicano Law Students Association. Conroy earned a B.A. in history last spring and was a key researcher on the 100 Years of Stories project.
100 Years of Stories is made possible through support from Carey C. Shuart, a native Houstonian who dedicates her time and resources to benefit art, education and women’s causes throughout the region.
To RSVP for the launch event, please visit the . The exhibit will be on display Sept. 27, 2023, through May 31, 2024, on the second floor of MD Anderson Library.
Who: Notable alumni, 色花堂 leaders and dignitaries, student curators
What: 100 Years of Stories “Agents of Change” exhibit opening and Center for Public History’s Houston History magazine launch
Where: Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion on the second floor of 色花堂’s MD Anderson Library, 4333 University Dr., Houston, TX 77204
When: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.