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development
1974
1973
1966
1965
After graduating from Ohio State, WALTER PENBERTHY, “Father the physical education curriculum was revised and expanded. The of Intramurals,” began his distinguished career in 1926 as an Assistant Penberthy-Tischler Intramural Award was established in the 1970’s Professor in the Physical Education Department at Texas A&M to recognize the outstanding intramural achievement of a company, University. Penberthy was given the position of Director of Intramural squadron or battery. Sports when the previous director resigned. Dana X. Bible, who hired Penberthy was sent by a member of the Board of Regents to study the Penberthy, was his boss, mentor and the first person to give him the training facilities at Strategic Air Command in San Antonio. “The idea nickname “Penny.” Bible went on went on to coach at Nebraska and was for me to gain a little knowledge as to how we might get our kids then Texas for many years. in shape before we sent them off to war” said Penberthy. He developed Penberthy married Lollie Beth Garvin in 1933. They lived on campus a plan comprised of four hours a week of extensive conditioning. From until 1940 when A&M asked the faculty to move. “Our old house on 1947 to 1954 Penberthy served as the Dean of Men which allowed him to campus used to be right on the spot where the be a member of the Athletic Council from 1952 walkway between the MSC and Rudder Tower 1954. During this time, Penberthy was the “It made me realize how much I to is today” said Penberthy in The Battalion in Founder and Director of the Intramural Sports missed being with the students. Program. After Penberthy resigned as Dean of 1985. Mrs. Penberthy served as the historian of the Texas A&M Garden club in 1958 and They are what always mattered Men, he was an advisor to students. “It made later as the vice president in 1960 and 1965. me realize how much I missed being with most to me, the kids.” “Beautiful Texas. God gave it, let’s save it” said the students. They are what always mattered Mrs. Penberthy in 1966. most to me, the kids” said Penberthy. In 1959, In 1937, the Board of Directors separated physical education program Penberthy went back to teaching, this time volleyball and handball. from athletics and placed it in the School of Arts and Sciences, where Mr. After serving Texas A&M University for forty years as a devoted Penberthy became the first Department Head. He held that position for instructor and administrator, the Board of Regents honored Mr. the next ten years while later serving as an official at for the 1944 Cotton Penberthy by dedicating The Walter Penberthy Intramural Complex Bowl. Post World War II brought significant changes in the department. on October 24, 1978, only twelve years after he retired. The complex Four hours of physical training were required of all students and the originally was located where the current Rec Center exists, across from department also had the responsibility of providing physical training Kyle Field. Penberthy recalled what brought Texas A&M to world class to a unit of Army Air Force pre-flight cadets attending classes at Texas status. “G-I-R-L-S, that’s what changed the University. I think it is A&M. Enrollment at Texas A&M jumped from 2,718 in 1945-1946 to wonderful. But the guys did not like it too much. But I bet you couldn’t 8,418 for 1946-1947. To meet the needs of this increased enrollment, find one now who would go back the old way” said Penberthy in 1985. Texas A&M took over the Bryan Air Force Base, now known as Riverside The class of 1934 chose Mr. Penberthy as a Class Character, a Campus, to house and educate incoming freshmen. distinction given to individuals that have made a lasting impression Texas A&M did not have the staff at the time to handle the vast on the students. His philosophy was to teach the student, not just the increase in enrollment, and Penberthy hired Carl Tishler, a previous subject. “Facts, without values, are meaningless,” said Penberthy. His classmate during his time at Ohio State. Mr. Penberthy was named devotion to Texas A&M students has helped maintain the values the Dean of Men and Carl E. Tishler succeeded him as Department Head University is noted for today. The first four words of the tribute said it of School of Arts and Sciences from 1947-1967. During Tishler’s tenure, all for the class of 1934. “WHO CAN FORGET PENNY?”
1937
QUALITY
Who can forget penny
“THE LIBERATORS” WOMEN STUDENTS COMPETE IN INTRAMURALS
MRS. PENBERTHY NEW V.P. OF THE TEXAS A&M GARDEN CLUB W. L. PENBERTHY BECOMES FIRST DEPARTMENT HEAD OF SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES W. L. PENBERTHY RETIRES
FIRST ESTABLISHED PENBERTHY-TISHLER AWARD