What if I told you that Lee College started during the Great Depression? It’s quite a story of resilience and growth. Lee College is located twenty-five miles east of Houston. It sits in Baytown near the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay.
Lee College began as a junior college in the 1930s. It aimed to offer college courses to local students. The Goose Creek school district authorized Lee Junior College on February 24, 1934. W. R. Smith, superintendent of the school district, became the first president.
Classes started in September 1934. Only four of the twelve faculty members were full-time teachers. The 177 students attended classes in Robert E. Lee High School. Vocational classes began in 1936. These were suspended during World War II. They were restored in 1946. The program expanded into technical-vocational education.
In 1948, the trustees changed the name to Lee College. They worried that the word “junior” would discourage adults. Walter Rundell became dean in 1945. He was one of the original faculty members. With an absentee president, Rundell guided major developments. He remained so until his retirement in January 1967.
The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges accredited Lee College in 1948. Construction of a separate campus began in 1950. The college moved in for the fall semester in 1951. Enrollment increased from 679 in 1951 to 894 in 1955. A new liberal arts building was completed in 1958. A nursing program started in 1961. A new library and expanded gymnasium were completed in 1962. By the fall of 1964, enrollment was 1,874.
Efforts to separate Lee College from the public schools began in 1940. In 1965, it was one of only two state-supported two-year colleges in Texas without its own governing board. Opposition from the public school board prevented separation. Voters made the decision in a public referendum on August 9, 1965. Separation was approved by a two-to-one vote.
Lee College then obtained its own board of regents. Richard D. Strahan became the first full-time president. During his time, Rundell maintained the quality of the faculty and library. He also supported the extension program at the Texas Department of Corrections. This began in 1966. It was suggested by Rundell’s friend, George Beto. Shortly after Rundell’s retirement, Lee College had more prison inmates enrolled in college courses than any other in the nation.
Today, Lee College continues to evolve. Dr. Lynda Villanueva currently serves as president since 2020. Lee College offers off-campus education at various centers. This includes the Huntsville Center and the McNair Center on I-10. The Center for Workforce and Community Development provides corporate services and workforce training. Lee College is also home to one of eight FOUNDATION Certified Training Programs worldwide.
Lee College offers community education courses. These include career training, computer technology, and personal enrichment. The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education and Recreation Center offers unique courses like canoeing and fly-fishing. The Lee College Performing Arts Center enriches the local community. It features a grand foyer, a black box theatre, and a 700-seat main theatre. From humble beginnings during the Great Depression to its current status as a comprehensive community college, Lee College has played a vital role in the educational landscape of Baytown.