As centennial approaches, group works on documenting 100 years of UH history

By Sydney Rose

As the centennial anniversary of the University approaches in 2027, the Center for Public History, Houston Public Media and M.D. Anderson Libraries are collaborating to curate the “100 Years of Stories: Documenting a Century at the University of Houston” project.

Undergraduate and graduate students at UH are working as a part of this project to research the knowledge and share the stories of UH over the course of these 100 years. The project idea started in 2020 and has been in the works to make content before 2027.

“So many people associated with UH –whether alumni, faculty or administrators – have made contributions to the Houston community and beyond, and we wanted to tell those stories,” said the editor of CPH’s Houston History magazine Debbie Harwell. “It seemed like a perfect partnership for CPH to combine the efforts of our student researchers and writers with Houston Public Media and their team of insightful storytellers. (This) as well as the folks in Special Collections at the library, who are the keepers of the University’s historical documents.”

The funding for the 100 Years of Stories project came from a friend and patron of the University Carey C. Shuart. Shuart has aided in supporting the Center for Public History on this specific venture over the course of the three years it was projected to take to finish.

“Growing up in Houston, none of us had any idea of Houston becoming an international city. Nor did we have any idea of the University of Houston becoming a Tier One University,” Shuart told CPH. “But both things have transpired and there are many stories to tell about how this was accomplished. I hope these stories will increase our understanding and describe how some of these things happened. It was not magic, but it often seemed magical.”

The Center for Public History, as well as Houston Public Media, takes on students to assist with the work of telling the stories. Harwell said her favorite part is working with the students to guide them through the process of creating a story. This goes from the initial topic idea to the finished magazine article.

“They learn so much in that process about how to do historical research and how to convey what they find to a broad audience in a popular medium. It is completely different from writing a traditional research paper,” Harwell said. “They are so proud – and so am I – when they hold the print magazine in their hands and see their byline on the page.”

The project will include commitments of 10 video and radio spots researched by students and produced by Houston Public Media, as well as two partial issues and one full issue of Houston History devoted to these stories. As the project is currently in its second year, one partial issue will come out this spring and the other will follow after 2023.

Houston History also has its own magazine website for people to read back issues and current issues will not be readily available until a further date after publication.

A large part of the project is highlighting the stories of the Houston community as well as the University’s history.

“So many people and institutions in Houston have their roots at UH, but I feel like the community is not always aware of that. Hopefully, we are bringing those stories to light,” Harwell said. “My favorite part of this project is all the people we have had the chance to meet and the stories I have learned more about. They are all amazing! They inspire me and our students.”

There is a possibility for the project to continue for years to come, working all the way up to 2027.

“We would love the opportunity to continue the project up to the centennial,” Harwell said. “We have so many more stories we could tell! It is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on UH’s accomplishments while training our students in public history and providing them (with) valuable job skills for the future.”

Proud to be a Coog? Then show it! Every Friday, UH has a tradition of wearing red around campus to show your school spirit. President Renu Khator once said, “Cougar Red Friday is a celebration of all things Cougar.” So, when you get to campus this fall, make sure you’re ready to be decked out in red every Friday. Here are Homecoming King and Queen Jordan Booker and Jayce Ball doing just that during last year’s Homecoming celebrations.