Laura Kuykendall

Laura Lucile Kuykendall (December 18, 1883 – April 30, 1935) was an American college professor and college administrator. She was Dean of Women at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas from 1918 to 1935.

Laura Kuykendall
A white woman wearing a brimmed fabric hat, a fabric coat, and a fur stole
Laura Kuykendall, from the 1923 yearbook of Southwestern University
BornDecember 18, 1883
Moody, Texas
DiedApril 30, 1935
Georgetown, Texas
Occupation(s)College professor, college administrator

Early life and education

Kuykendall was born in Moody, Texas, the daughter of Pierre Moran Kuykendall Sr. and Laura Payne Kuykendall. Her father was a physician;[1] her mother died in 1884, and she was raised by her stepmother, Elinor (Ella) Naylor Kuykendall. She completed her master's degree at Southwestern University in 1926, with a thesis titled "The Dean of Women and Her Problems as Found on a Small University Campus".[2] At Southwestern, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.[3]

Career

Kuykendall joined the faculty at Southwestern University, and taught Expression and Physical Training. She was Dean of Women at Southwestern from 1918 to 1935.[4] She was credited with heroic efforts when the women's dormitory burned and no students were harmed. In 1935, the new women's dormitory on campus was named after Kuykendall.[5][6]

Kuykendall was also known for organizing elaborate campus May Day festivities[7] and other holiday observances,[8] including hundreds of students in her productions.[9][10] "The May fete is to be the most wonderful production of May time happiness and joy ever witnessed in the South," noted the Houston Post in 1920. "The pageant, under the direction of Miss Laura Kuykendall, will surpass all previous occasions."[11]

Personal life and legacy

Kuykendall died in Georgetown in 1935, after a stroke, at the age of 51.[12] Her funeral was held on campus, and the school's former president conducted her funeral service. Laura Kuykendall Hall was torn down in 1996; the Southwestern campus now has a Laura Kuykendall Garden named in her memory. She is also remembered on campus with the Communication Studies Laura Kuykendall Award.[13][14]

References
  1. "P. M. Kuykendall". Waco Morning News. 1913-07-29. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Kuykendall, Laura (1926). "The Dean of Women and Her Problems as Found on a Small University Campus". The Portal to Texas History. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  3. "Laura Kuykendall, Women's Dean at Sou'western, Dies; Apoplexy Fatal to Woman Educator". The Austin American. 1935-05-01. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Southwestern University, "Miss Laura Kuykendall, B.A." Sou'wester (1923 yearbook): 28. via Internet Archive.
  5. "The Georgetown gem that gleams rich with history: Southwestern University". KVUE. October 4, 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  6. "SWU to provide more housing space for women". Austin American-Statesman. 1979-02-08. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Southwestern is First with May Pageant". The Houston Post. 1922-04-19. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "S. W. Sets Carol Service Friday; Dean Laura Kuykendall is Director". The Austin American. 1933-12-13. p. 7. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "1,000 Actors Give Pageant; Southwestern and Hi School Students Take Part". The Austin American. 1927-06-06. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Suro, Roberto (1992-04-05). "Separation Anxiety". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  11. "Stage is Set for Home Coming at Southwestern U." The Houston Post. 1920-04-27. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Miss Laura Kuykendall Noted Texas Educator Dies Georgetown, Texas". Wichita Falls Times. 1935-05-01. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Comm Studies Laura Kuykendall Award". Southwestern University. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  14. "Thespians Get Honor from SU". The Austin American. 1964-05-28. p. 41. Retrieved 2022-12-12 – via Newspapers.com.
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