He was a 1936 graduate of Sam Houston and later earned his masters and doctorate from the University of Houston.

In 1965, the State Legislature authorized the name of the institution changed to Sam Houston State College, and then in 1969 to Sam Houston State University.

He resigned in 1970 and subsequently served as president of University of Texas at San Antonio and later as president of the University of Texas at El Paso. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1977.