The History of Texas Women’s University

An act of the 27th Legislature in 1901 founded the Girls Industrial College as a public institution. Classes first started in 1903.

The school’s name was changed to the College of Industrial Arts (CIA) in 1905. It became the Texas State College for Women in 1934, then Texas Woman’s University in 1957.


Pictured above, “Old Main” was constructed in 1903. Expanded, it continues today as a central landmark.

TWU is one of only four “independent” public universities in Texas (i.e., not affiliated with any of Texas’ five public university systems).

During 1972, TWU began accepting men into its health sciences graduate school. Due to public pressure, in 1994, the school opened all of its programs to qualified men.

About Lyman

Lyman Hardeman has held a deep interest in Texas history. He spent his youth in College Station, Texas and received a degree in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M in 1966. In 1995, Lyman created Lone Star Junction, a popular Texas history website that later merged with TexasProud.com. Lyman is a life member of the Texas State Historical Association and the author of Texas A&M The First 25 Years.