1979
New Campus Dedicated
After long and detailed negotiations with Southwest Texas State University, an agreement was reached to sell the campus to the University. The sale was closed on June 20, 1979, with the understanding that the Academy would occupy the old facilities while the new campus was planned and constructed.
Ground was broken on the two hundred acre site, given by Mrs. Velma Robinson, on November 3, 1979. The move to the new campus started during the Christmas holidays in 1981, with spring semester classes beginning on the new campus January 18, 1982. The formal dedication ceremony of the new facilities was conducted on May 1 of that year with all the memorials from the old campus being rededicated.
“Onward Bound – Stage II” was the name given to a campaign for capital funds launched in the spring of 1980. The initial gift was made by Mrs. Robinson as a challenge to other friends to provide funds for a natatorium and military science facility. The response of many friends, including substantial grants from the Davidson Family Charitable Foundation, more than met the challenge. In the spring of 1982, the Davidson Natatorium was dedicated and ground was broken for the military science building on May 21, 1983.
This giving program would be the prelude for a longer term program to enlarge the Academy’s endowment. The endowment fund grew from $92,650 in 1965 to $1,075,000 in 1983. Onward Bound Stage III began in 1984 with the purpose of securing funds to increase the permanent endowment fund and to provide additions to the present facilities.
In the Fall of 1986 a Development Council was formed to “promote the overall development of San Marcos Baptist Academy.” In 1987, the “Securing the Future Campaign,” to further enlarge the Academy’s Endowment Fund, was launched. With the completion of the campaign, the fund had more than tripled. Income from the endowment fund has allowed more students the opportunity to attend the Academy and has helped to carry on the tradition of excellence.
In the Fall of 1989, Academy girls were introduced to a new leadership program designed especially for them. The program was named COEDS. Created by Jo Quinn Long, the Dean of Girls, “COEDS” is an acronym standing for Community, Orientation, Enthusiasm, Discipline and Service.
The girls were divided into family groups much like the military companies. Leaders were chosen for the entire organization and for each family group. Through the years, this program evolved into an organization that taught the girls how to be leaders in school and in their community. It was phased out during the 2004-05 school year when the military program was no longer required for boys.
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