Laura Lucile Kuykendall (December 18, 1883 – April 30, 1935) was an American college professor and college administrator. She was

Dean of Women The dean of women at a college or university in the United States is the dean with responsibility for student affairs for female students. In early years, the position was also known by other names, including preceptress, lady principal, and adviser ...

Southwestern University Southwestern University (Southwestern or SU) is a private liberal arts college in Georgetown, Texas. Formed in 1873 from a revival of collegiate charters granted in 1840, Southwestern is the oldest college or university in Texas. Southwestern o ...

Georgetown, Texas Georgetown is a city in Texas and the county seat of Williamson County, Texas, United States. The population was 67,176 at the 2020 census. It is 30 miles (48 km) north of Austin. Founded in 1875 from four existing colleges, the oldest of ...

from 1918 to 1935.

Early life and education

Kuykendall was born in

Moody, Texas Moody is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,376 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Moody is located at (31.307489, –97.360210). According to the United States ...

, the daughter of Pierre Moran Kuykendall Sr. and Laura Payne Kuykendall. Her father was a physician; her mother died in 1884, and she was raised by her stepmother, Elinor (Ella) Naylor Kuykendall. She completed her master's degree at Southwestern University in 1926, with a thesis titled "The Dean of Women and Her Problems as Found on a Small University Campus". At Southwestern, she was a member of the

Delta Delta Delta Delta Delta Delta (), also known as Tri Delta, is an international women's fraternity founded on November 27, 1888 at Boston University by Sarah Ida Shaw, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, Isabel Morgan Breed, and Florence Isabelle Stewart. Tri Delta part ...

sorority.

Career

Kuykendall joined the faculty at Southwestern University, and taught Expression and Physical Training. She was Dean of Women at Southwestern from 1918 to 1935. She was credited with heroic efforts when the women's dormitory burned and no students were harmed. In 1935, the new women's dormitory on campus was named after Kuykendall. Kuykendall was also known for organizing elaborate campus

May Day May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Festivities may also be held the night before, known as May Eve. T ...

festivities and other holiday observances, including hundreds of students in her productions. "The May fete is to be the most wonderful production of May time happiness and joy ever witnessed in the South," noted the ''

Houston Post The ''Houston Post'' was a newspaper that had its headquarters in Houston, Texas, United States. In 1995, the newspaper shut down, and its assets were purchased by the ''Houston Chronicle''. History Gail Borden Johnson founded the ''Houston Po ...

'' in 1920. "The pageant, under the direction of Miss Laura Kuykendall, will surpass all previous occasions."

Personal life and legacy

Kuykendall died in Georgetown in 1935, after a stroke, at the age of 51. Her funeral was held on campus, and the school's former president conducted her funeral service. Laura Kuykendall Hall was torn down in 1996; the Southwestern campus now has a Laura Kuykendall Garden named in her memory. She is also remembered on campus with the Communication Studies Laura Kuykendall Award.

References

External links

* Fran Becque (March 2, 2022)
"Laura Kuykendall, Delta Delta Delta, #NotableSororityWomen, #WHM2022"
''Fraternity History and More''. A blogpost about Kuykendall.
"Hall Named for Laura L. Kuykendall"
Texas Historical Commission Marker Number: 15217. * Natalia
"Here's our first attempt at GIF-making"
''Southwestern University Special Collection and Archives,'' on Tumblr. A GIF of Kuykendall in Biblical costume, striking several poses. {{DEFAULTSORT:Kuykendall, Laura 1883 births 1935 deaths Deans of women Southwestern University alumni People from Georgetown, Texas People from McLennan County, Texas Southwestern University faculty