Comparing Student Life Ethos: 1971 & 2001
Applying the Lens of Political Dynamics in Visual Interpretation
by
Sandra Rascon
December 1, 2025
Embedded Files
This project uses yearbook images from the graduating class of 1970-71 and the year 2000 to capture transformative shifts in the ethos of student life as influenced by political dynamics (federal, state, and local).
Reflective Questions
How do pictures from yearbooks tell the transformative story of our university?
When observing yearbook pictures, what lenses are we applying to achieve interpretation?
State Political Dynamics Background
State and Local Institutional Dynamics
1970 - University of Corpus Christi exists as a private 2-year institution.
1970 - Hurricane Celia devastates the city and the university (8/3/1970). Financial collapse is imminent.
1987-2003 South Texas Border Initiative (STBI) funnels unprecedented amounts of funding to underserved universities along the Texas-Mexico border region.
1989 - Officially become part of the A&M university system
1993 - Official name changed (9/1) to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
1992 - The Texas Education Higher Coordinating Board aproved the first doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership.
1994 - The Texas Legislature approves 4-year status
National Political Dynamics
NDEA (National Defense Act of 1958) - Act aimed to strengthen American education in science, mathematics, and foreign languages to improve national defence.
Pages from the National Defense Act of 1958
The Higher Education Act of 1965 - Signed into law to as part of the "Great Society" agenda increasing resources to institutions and establishing federal loans, grants, and scholarships to make higher education more accessible middle. low income students. It is the primary driver of the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.
Placque commemorating the Higher Education Act of 1965 - Texas State University
"Higher education is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity." - Lyndon B. Johnson
Student Life Ethos Gallery Walk
Reflective Questions
How do pictures from yearbooks tell the transformative story of a university?
When observing yearbook pictures, what lenses are we applying to achieve interpretation?
Exercise #1
Look at these student life pictures of 1970 student life below.
How would you interpret student ethos?
1 character, purpose, authenticity
2. purpose, character, body
3. thought, character, body
Did your interpretation match the Yearbook of 1970 below?
How do yearbook pictures on student life reflect political dynamics?
Student Life Ethos Gallery Walk 1970-71
Corpus Christi University
Yearbook Name: The Silver King (1970-71)
Local Context
Hurricane Celia devasted UCC on August 3, 1970. It was a year of clean up and financial loss.
Perservering, classes continued.
Still owned by the Baptist Convention (relinquished in 1973).
Consider adding these lenses to the visual ethos journey ahead...
-The National Defense Act of 1958- federal funding for math and science programs
-National Education Act of 1965 - federal funding for financial aid / enrollment
Ethos of Student Life
University of Corpus Christi
Yearbook Photographs - 1970
Homecoming Chariot
1970
Science Club Wins Sand Sculpture
1970
Readers Theatre
The Movie - El Cid
Fraternities
Alpha Delta Kappa - Business Administration
No information other than photographs.
Teacher Education Program
Sororities - Kappa Delta Psi
TAMUCC Pressbook
Local Context
Hurricane Celia - August 3, 1970
Texas Archive
Yearbook 1970
Reflection: How did you interpret student life ethos, 1970-71?
Question: Did you apply our previous political/policy/local lenses to inform your interpretation?
Question: When applying political influencing lenses, how do we interpret differently?
Let's apply this exercise again...
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
2001
Federal Context
National Defense Education Act of 1958
National Defense Act of 1965
Local Context
A&M system
4-year institution
South Texas Border Initiative (funding 1987-2003)
Joint Committee on Higher Education in South Texas "consistently received calls for equity in the distribution of the state higher education resources....alleviate disparity that exists...demands from South Texas have merit...urge you to recommend support."
Local Context
The Tide (yearbook) is sectioned into twelve months highlighting national events.
Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network - TMMSN
TMMSN, Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, is a non-profit organization on campus aimed to help rescue, rehabilitate, and conserve stranded sea turtles, various birds, and other marine mammals.
The Tide Yearbook, 2001
Harte Research Center
The Psychology Club
Fund raising to feed the homeless.
CAB (College Activities Board)- hosts a safe, Halloween environment for children.
Supporting Habitat for Humanity
Alpha Phi Sigma & Criminal Justice Association
81 Clubs and Student Organizations
Island Waves campus newspaper
Three main goals: promote campus safety, campus activities awareness, gain journalistic experience. There is no journalism department on campus.
Midnight Breakfast
"It could be baked cat food on a fat free cracker, but if it's free, it will taste like Julia Childs made it herself."
The Tide Yearbook 2001
Reflection: How do you interpret student life ethos in 2001?
Question: Did you apply our previous political/policy/local lenses to inform your interpretation?
Question: How did we compare the two years using contemporary lenses?
Question: How did this influence our interpretation of student life ethos?
Final Reflections
As higher education professionals, how can we apply our contemporary lens to consider the complexities of political dynamics that influence student life?
How can we use this interpretive understanding to better support student life on campus as we anticipate future needs?
How do we reconcile potential conflicts in the vision of the university and the manifestation of student life?
Nothing in higher education happens in a vacuum. Present, contemporary interpretation of student life should consider how political dynamics have influenced what we see at any given point in time.
"The research university is the elite element." - David F. Labaree
Final Recommendations for educators in higher institutions can consider-
How can being aware of (geopolitical), federal, state, and local politics and policies inform our perception of student life, particularly those reflected in images (and real time).
How can we bring this awareness to the forefront when selecting advocacy points for student life on campus and/or forecasting needs?
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