Growth Despite Adversity: 1928-1947

Between 1928 and 1946, the Tejas Club experienced some of its most prosperous years despite
the adversities of the Great Depression and the Second World War. During this period there were
at least three Daily Texan editors, four head cheerleaders, four presidents of Alpha Phi Omega,
and braves in the Silver Spurs and Friars. As far as student government, the club almost always
had one brave involved each year. (At times there were as many as four.) One out of every three
Student Association presidents during this period was a Tejas brave. Academically, the Tejas
Club was always near the top. In the thirty-two years between 1933 and 1966 when the university
monitored GPA of student organizations, the Tejas Club never ranked below sixth place. On eight
occasions, the Tejas Club had the highest GPA of any student organization, male or female.

This era of incredible academic and political success was not with out its share of hard times.
During the thirties the Tejas Club, along with everyone else, had slipped into the depression. At
times the club was so stretched for money that they were forced to borrow from a local bank to pay
the rent. Between classes, most of the braves worked at least one job to earn extra cash. Some
worked in the library while others worked as busboys in the Union. Jack Holland signed on as
the University's first student janitor. (Ironically, Holland later became Dean of Men for the
University.) Only one brave, Jenkins Garrett, owned a car in the mid-thirties. The passenger door
was attached to the car with wires. Regardless of the defect, the club soon made the car community
property.

The Second World War was also a time of extreme difficulty for the Tejas Club. Many of the
braves were drafted and at one time the club only registered nine members. Four braves were
killed in action serving their country in WWII. Despite the hardships, four Tejas braves served as
Student Association president between 1943 and 1947. The United States and the Tejas Club made
it through the war but rough times were still ahead.