• Elliott T. Bowers begins tenure as president until 1989.
• Enrollment exceeds 8,500.

• October 7
  • KSHU-FM signs on the air for the first time with 10 watts of power and at 89.3 megahertz.

• East Power Plant constructed.
• Grounds Greenhouse No. 1 constructed.
• Pritchett Grounds Storage constructed.
• Sigma Mu Zeta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity founded.

• Beto Criminal Justice Center constructed.
• Custodial & Grounds Building constructed.
• Johnson Coliseum constructed.
• Garrett Teacher Education Center constructed.
• University Theater Center constructed.

• April
  • Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom dedicated.
• Pritchett Storage Practice Field constructed.

• Art Building F constructed.
• SHSU 100th Anniversary.
• Sam Houston Centennial Statue dedicated.