Descriptive Summary
Bruce, Andrew
D.
A.D. Bruce Speeches
Collection
1954-1961
General Andrew Davis Bruce was the third
president and the first chancellor of the University of Houston. The collection
consists of speeches, addresses, correspondence, and programs concerning talks
given by Bruce during his years of university service from 1954 to
1961.
uhaadb68
7 boxes; 3.5 linear
feet
Special Collections
& Archives,
University of Houston Libraries
English.
Biographical Note
General Andrew Davis (A.D.) Bruce was the third president and the
first chancellor of the University of Houston. Bruce became president of the
University on September 1, 1954, and chancellor in December 1956. He retired
from the University after the 1960-61 academic year. In 1957 Bruce organized a
Board of Governors, composed of the regents of the University and prominent
Houstonians. In November 1959 the governing board sought state support for the
University, which had grown rapidly in the proceeding years. Bruce was one of
the first to advocate tax support for the University of Houston; during his
tenure, the University's curriculum standards and faculty both improved and the
University became better-known.
A.D. Bruce served in the United States Army for thirty-seven years.
During his military career he fought in both World Wars and was the first
governor of Hokkaido, Japan, during the United States occupation. He was a
member of the War Department General Staff, served as the administrator of the
Tank Destroyer Center at Ft. Hood, and served as Commandant of the Armed Forces
Staff College. He was responsible for many instructional programs in each of
these positions. He was a graduate of Texas A&M University, the Infantry
and Field Artillery School, the Command and General Staff Colleges, and the
Army and Naval War Colleges.
After leaving the University of Houston, Bruce retired to North
Carolina, where he died in 1969. He is buried in Arlington National
Cemetery.
Scope and Contents
The A.D. Bruce Speeches Collection contains speeches, addresses,
correspondence, and programs concerning talks given by Bruce during his years
of university service from 1954 to 1961. Most of the folders in the collection
contain one or more copies of at least one speech or address. Some of the
folders contain first and final drafts of speeches, biographical sketches,
research notes, and other materials relating to that speech and its delivery
before a particular body. Materials in the collection are dated from 1954 to
1961.
The collection is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically
according to the name of the organization addressed. The majority of the
speeches do not have titles, but were originally in folders labeled with the
name of the organization addressed. The collection has been re-foldered, and
the new folder titles conform, as much as possible, to the original folder
titles. Exceptions were made when the folder title was obviously incomplete,
incorrect, or confusing. Original folder and item order has been preserved
whenever possible. There are a few file folders that contain two speeches,
either before the same body or on successive dates in the same geographical
area. Some adjunct material (outlines, news clippings, etc.) and speeches with
no dates have been placed at the end of the collection.
Many of the speeches were given at the University of Houston, concern
the University of Houston, or involve University of Houston groups, regardless
whether the words “University of Houston” are listed on the
folder or speech title. Topics relating to the University of Houston include
the university in general, the newly created office of the chancellor, religion
and the need for a religious center and chapel at the University, KUHT-TV and
its history, and the prospects and process of the University becoming a full
member of the state system of tax-supported schools. Other topics include
education in general, the armed forces, Texas A&M University, the
leadership and care of men, and the need for engineers.
Processed by
Heather Brown, July 1999
Joanie South-Shelley, January 2001
Bobby Marlin, July 2001
Preferred Citation
A.D. Bruce Speeches Collection, Courtesy of Special Collections
& Archives, University of Houston Libraries.
Requests for permission to publish material from the collection
should be discussed with the University Archivist.
Researchers might also wish to consult the President's Records for
additional A.D. Bruce material.
Sources
Nicholson, Patrick.
In Time: An Anecdotal History
of the First Fifty Years of the University of Houston.(Houston:
Pacesetter Press, 1977).
Vertical Files Collection
Detailed Description
Speeches,
1954-1961
1
1
Address to Faculty,
September 10, 1954
1
2
Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution,
September 16, 1954
1
3
University of Houston Sideline Coaches Association,
September 23, 1954
1
4
Association of Bank Women,
October 2, 1954
1
5
Houston A&M Club,
October 4, 1954
1
6
Pasadena Rotary Club (Cancelled),
October 15, 1954
1
7
Ellington Air Force Base,
November 3, 1954
1
8
College of Education,
November 5, 1954
1
9
Alpha Sigma Tau Fraternity Banquet,
January 13, 1955
1
10
Televised (KUHT) Speech,
January 14, 1955
1
11
Palmer Memorial Church,
January 18, 1955
1
12
Houston Speech and Hearing Center,
January 20, 1955
1
13
Annual Printing Week Banquet,
January 21, 1955
1
14
St. John the Divine Church and School,
January 27, 1955
1
15
High School Citizenship and Career Day,
January 28, 1955
1
16
State of the University before the General Faculty,
January 28, 1955
1
17
First Presbyterian Men of the Church Meeting,
February 9, 1955
1
18
Televised (KUHT) Speech,
February 25, 1955
2
1
Houston Association of School Administrators,
March 1, 1955
2
2
Reagan High School,
March 3, 1955
2
3
Houston Engineers Club,
March 8, 1955
2
4
Kiwanis Club of Houston,
March 9, 1955
2
5
Houston Central Lions Club,
March 10, 1955
2
6
Federated Women's Club,
March 21, 1955
2
7
Fourth Southwest Executive Development Program
Graduation,
March 25, 1955
2
8
Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce and Alumni Association
of the University of Houston,
March 29-30, 1955
2
9
City Federation of Women's Clubs,
April 4, 1955
2
10
Texas Optometrics Association,
April 18, 1955
2
11
Welcome Address before Houston's Fourth Town Meeting on
Public Education,
April 18, 1955
2
12
Texas A&M Roll Call,
April 21, 1955
2
13
Welcome Address before the Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity,
April 21, 1955
2
14
Alumni Association Corral Day,
April 30, 1955
2
15
Welcome Address before the Seminar for the National
Secretaries Association International,
April 30, 1955
2
16
Men's Meeting of the Baptist Temple,
May 9, 1955
2
17
Pasadena Rotary Club,
May 13, 1955
2
18
R.O.T.C. Graduation,
May 16, 1955
2
19
Welcome Address before the Second Annual Foreign Trade
Institute,
May 16, 1955
2
20
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants,
May 18, 1955
2
21
State of the University, before the General Faculty,
May 20, 1955
2
22
Jewish Community Council,
May 24, 1955
2
23
Commencement at Texas Southern University,
May 30, 1955
2
24
Televised (KUHT) Speech,
May 31, 1955
3
1
South End Houston Rotary Club,
June 1, 1955
3
2
Methodist Men's Fellowship of the Riverside Methodist
Church,
June 9, 1955
3
3
Televised (KUHT) Freedom Agenda Panel,
June 10, 1955
3
4
Military Affairs Committee Discussion,
July 15, 1955
3
5
First Methodist Church of Houston,
August 7, 1955
3
6
Welcome Address before the Texas Association for the
Improvement of Reading,
August 16, 1955
3
7
Texas State De Molay Conclave in Brownsville,
August 26, 1955
3
8
Harrisburg Rotary Club,
August 30, 1955
3
9
General Faculty Meeting,
September 9, 1955
3
10
American Legion Post 52,
September 12, 1955
3
11
Sideline Coaches Association,
September 14, 1955
3
12
Welcome Address before the First Houston Journalism
Assembly,
September 30, 1955
3
13
Canterbury Association of the University of Houston,
October 17, 1955
3
14
Gulf School Research Development Association (GUSREDA)
Convocation,
October 20, 1955
3
15
Welcome Address before the “Engineering
Oil” Symposium,
October 27, 1955
3
16
Introduction of Coach Bill Meek to the Kiwanis Club,
November 2, 1955
3
17
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry,
November 9, 1955
3
18
All Veterans' Day Celebration,
November 11, 1955
3
19
Development Dinner,
November 21, 1955
3
20
Temple Emanu El,
December 23, 1955
3
21
Laredo Rotary and Public School Faculty,
January 11-12, 1956
3
22
Ninth Annual Gridiron Banquet,
January 16, 1956
3
23
Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce,
January 17, 1956
3
24
General Faculty Meeting,
January 27, 1956
3
25
Welcome Address before the Annual Citizenship and Career
Day of the University of Houston,
January 27, 1956
3
26
Introduction of Dr. Robert Lee Sutherland,
February 23, 1956
3
27
Introduction of Dr. W. V. Houston on Honors Day,
March 9, 1956
3
28
Dedication of Journalism and Graphic Arts Building,
March 12, 1956
3
29
Administrative and Clerical Staff,
March 13, 1956
3
30
Welcome Address before the First Period of Religious
Emphasis of the University of Houston,
March 15, 1956
4
1
Chamber of Commerce,
April 5, 1956
4
2
Welcome Address before the Fifth Annual,
April 19, 1956
4
3
Education Committee of the Houston Chamber of Commerce,
April 26, 1956
4
4
Welcome Address before a Symposium in Brain Stimulation,
April 26, 1956
4
5
Mirabeau B. Lamar Senior High School Commencement,
May 24, 1956
4
6
Stephen F. Austin Senior High School Commencement,
May 25, 1956
4
7
Galveston Rotary Club,
May 30, 1956
8
1
Speech to First Meeting of Governors,
June 4, 1956
4
8
Methodist Men's Club of Bellaire Methodist Church,
June 6, 1956
4
9
Information Committee of the Houston Chamber of
Commerce,
June 11, 1956
4
10
Bryan Rotary Club,
June 13, 1956
4
11
College of Education Luncheon,
July 11, 1956
4
12
Televised (KTRK- TV) Speech,
July 16, 1956
4
13
Annual Meeting of the Drug Travelers Association of
Texas,
July 23, 1956
4
14
College of Pharmacy Alumni Breakfast Welcome Address,
July 23, 1956
4
15
Downtown Exchange Club of Houston,
July 26, 1956
4
16
Pharmacy Liaison Committee Dinner,
July 26, 1956
4
17
The Chapel of Hope of the Texas Prison System in
Huntsville, Texas,
August 1, 1956
4
18
Welcome Address before the Student Council Workshop of
Texas,
August 6, 1956
4
19
Televised (KGUL-TV) Speech,
August 9, 1956
4
20
President's Television Assembly Number 1,
September 4, 1956
4
21
General Faculty Address,
September 14, 1956
4
22
Administrative and Clerical Employees Meeting,
September 18, 1956
4
23
Kiwanis Club Luncheon,
September 19, 1956
4
24
Freshman Orientation,
September 20, 1956
4
25
Televised (KTRK-TV) Speech,
September 24, 1956
4
27
Houston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of
America Luncheon,
September 25, 1956
4
28
Welcome Address before the Journalism Assembly of the
University of Houston,
September 28, 1956
5
1
Houston Ministerial Association,
October 1, 1956
5
2
President's Television Assembly Number 2,
October 5, 1956
5
3
Cosmopolitan International Club of Houston,
October 19, 1956
5
4
President's Television Assembly Number 3,
November 9, 1956
5
5
International Friendship Luncheon,
November 10, 1956
5
6
Welcome Address before the Tax Institute,
November 12, 1956
5
7
Student Government Meeting,
November 26, 1956
5
8
Society for the Advancement of Management, University of
Houston Chapter,
November 30, 1956
5
9
American Academy of Optometry Banquet,
December 10, 1956
5
10
Mimeographed Copies of Speeches for National
Distribution,
1956
5
11
Organizational Meeting of the Board of Governors,
January 21, 1957
5
12
Pharmacy Luncheon,
January 29, 1957
5
13
Salesmanship Club,
February 15, 1957
5
14
Men's Group of the West University Methodist Church,
February 18, 1957
5
15
Welcome Remarks Before and Introduction to The Second
Religious Emphasis Period and A Program of the University of Houston,
February 21-22, 1957
5
16
Optimist Club Luncheon,
February 28, 1957
5
17
Career Day Welcome,
March 7, 1957
5
18
Televised (KUHT?) Speech,
March 9, 1957
5
19
South Texas Section of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers Annual Honors and Awards Dinner,
March 21, 1957
5
20
Athletic Advisory Council Orientation Dinner,
March 22, 1957
5
21
Welcome Address before the Forty-sixth Annual Meeting of
the Central Association of College and University Business Officers,
April 1, 1957
5
22
Military Affairs Committee Meeting,
April 19, 1957
5
23
Dinner for Robert Briscoe, Lord Mayor of Dublin,
April 30, 1957
5
24
ECPD Luncheon,
May 9, 1957
5
25
Harvard Business School Club of Houston,
May 16, 1957
5
26
St. Stephen's Episcopal School Graduation Exercises,
May 23, 1957
5
27
Blinn College Commencement,
May 26, 1957
5
28
Ninth Annual Southern States Apprenticeship Conference,
July 18, 1957
5
29
Address to New Faculty,
September 12, 1957
5
30
General Faculty Meeting,
September 13, 1957
5
31
American Petroleum Institute,
September 23, 1957
5
32
Freshman Orientation,
September 24-25, 1957
5
33
Houston Assembly of Delphian Chapters,
October 14, 1957
5
34
Men's Club of Congregation Beth Israel,
November 20, 1957
5
35
Televised Speeches, Miscellaneous,
1956-1957
6
1
Televised (KTRK-TV) Speech,
January 1, 1958
6
2
Forty-first Annual Meeting of the Beaumont Chapter of
the American Red Cross,
January 27, 1958
6
3
General Faculty Meeting,
January 31, 1958
6
4
Building Research Institute Plastics Study Group,
March 5, 1958
6
5
Navigator Training Program Graduation, Ellington Field,
March 19, 1958
6
6
Edna High School and Administration Building Dedication
Service,
April 27, 1958
6
7
Introduction of Admiral John L. Hall, Jr. U.S. Navy,
Retired,
April 28, 1958
6
8
Civitan Club,
April 29, 1958
6
9
Welcome Address for the Third Annual Conference on High
School and College Programs (“Planning for the
Future,”)
April 29, 1958
6
10
Introduction of General Nathan F. Twining, Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Joint Rotary and Military Affairs Luncheon,
Armed Forces Day,
May 15, 1958
6
11
Welcome Remarks at KUHT Fifth Anniversary,
May 23, 1958
6
12
Optimist Club of Downtown Houston,
June 5, 1958
6
13
Houston Community Committee for International Students
of the Institute of International Education,
June 24, 1958
6
14
East Texas Peace Officers Convention,
August 25, 1958
6
15
Rotary Club of Houston,
August 28, 1958
6
16
Mercedes Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet,
September 29, 1958
6
17
Welcome Address before the Gulf Coast Press Association,
October 11, 1958
6
18
La Porte Rotary Club,
October 28, 1958
6
19
Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Houston Lodge Fourth
Anniversary Dinner,
November 30, 1958
6
20
Houston Association of Life Underwriters,
January 8, 1958
6
21
General Faculty Meeting,
January 30, 1958
6
22
Army-Navy Association,
February 12, 1959
6
23
Welcome Address before the National Secretaries
Association International, Houston Chapter,
March 7, 1959
6
24
Texas Court of Assistants, the National Society of Women
Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, First Annual
Rendezvous Luncheon,
March 14, 1959
6
25
Introduction of General Bonner Fellers at SAR,
March 23, 1959
6
26
Welcome Address before the Association of Texas Colleges
Annual Meeting,
April 3, 1959
6
27
Introduction of Dr. Gaither A. McConnell at the Tulane
Educational Conference,
May 2, 1959
6
28
Introduction of Dr. George Stuart Benson at the Junior
Achievement of Houston “Future Unlimited” Banquet,
May 14, 1959
6
29
Rotary Club of Bellaire,
June 4, 1959
6
30
Rotary Club of Pasadena,
July 24, 1959
6
31
Welcome Address before the Oil Symposium,
August 26, 1959
6
32
Problems of the Next Century,
by Carey Croneis, Provost of Rice Institute,
August 26-27, 1959
6
33
General Faculty,
September 11, 1959
6
34
General Faculty Meeting,
November 25, 1959
7
1
Baytown Rotary Club,
January 6, 1960
7
2
Salesmanship Club,
January 6, 1960
7
3
Introduction of President Seymour A. Smith to the
Stephens College Alumni,
January 30, 1960
7
4
Park Place Lutheran Church,
January 27, 1960
7
5
General Faculty Meeting,
January 29, 1960
7
6
Introduction of Waggoner Carr on Citizenship and Career
Day,
January 29, 1960
7
7
Houston City Council of Parents and Teachers,
February 18, 1960
7
8
Hugenot Society of Texas General Assembly Candlelight
Supper,
March 25, 1960
7
9
Ninth Annual Management Conference on “The
Challenge of Leadership,”
March 25, 1960
7
10
Texas Commission on Higher Education,
April 11, 1960
7
11
Annual Aggie Muster Celebration at Texas A&M,
April 21, 1960
7
12
Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce,
May 24, 1960
7
13
Sacred Heart Dominican College Twelfth Annual
Commencement,
May 29, 1960
7
14
Texas Press Association Eighty-first Annual Convention
Luncheon,
June 17, 1960
7
15
Texas State Exchange Clubs Thirty-second Annual
Convention, “Boy of the Year” Award Presentation Lunch,
June 18, 1960
7
16
Harrisburg Rotary Club,
July 19, 1960
7
17
American Legion Post 52,
September 12, 1960
7
18
Southwest Advisory Committee of the Institute of
International Education,
October 7, 1960
7
19
Houston Central Lions Club,
October 18, 1960
7
20
Arabia Shrine Temple,
November 15, 1960
7
21
University of Houston Oberholtzer Hall Dormitory
Students,
November 22, 1960
7
22
Rotary Club of Houston,
December 1, 1960
7
23
Welcome for Mr. Tom Reavley at Citizenship and Career
Day,
January 27, 1960
7
24
Kiwanis Club of Galveston,
January 31, 1960
7
25
Parker Memorial Methodist Church,
February 7, 1961
7
26
El Campo Rotary Club,
February 9, 1961
7
27
Unidentified Group at the Crown Room of the Coronado
Motel and the Houston Church-Labor Fellowship,
February 21, 1961
7
28
Daughters of the Republic of Texas,
March 2, 1961
7
29
Sons of the Republic of Texas Independence Day Luncheon,
March 2, 1961
7
30
Welcome to General A.C. Wedemeyer before the National
Schools Committee of the American Economic Foundation “Understanding
Free Enterprise” Institute,
March 8, 1961
7
31
South Plains College,
March 10, 1961
7
32
Welcome Address before the University of Houston Student
Chapter of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers Conference,
March 17, 1961
7
33
Braeburn Lions Club,
April 6, 1961
7
34
Introduction of Lt. General Lewis B. Hershey before the
Southeast Texas Industrial Editors Luncheon,
April 12, 1961
7
35
Introduction of Dr. Philip G. Hoffman before the Phi
Kappa Phi Annual Initiation Banquet,
April 16, 1961
7
36
Texas Chapter of the International Association of
Personnel in Employment Security Annual Luncheon,
April 21, 1961
7
37
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
2
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
3
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
4
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
5
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
6
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
7
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
8
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
9
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
10
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
8
11
Lists of Speeches and Unaccepted Requests to Speak, and
Miscellaneous Materials,
1954-1961
9
-
Oversized: Newspaper Clippings,
1955-1976