Homer Rainey

Homer Price Rainey (January 19, 1896 – December 19, 1985) was an American college professor, administrator, minister, and politician. He served as the president of several universities, most notably the University of Texas at Austin from 1939 to 1944.

Early life Rainey was born in Clarksville, Texas. Although raised by a poor farming family, he graduated as valedictorian of Lovelady High School in 1913. He previously attended high school at Ferris and grade school in Eliasville. He was ordained as a Baptist minister at 19, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Army during World War I. After receiving his bachelor's degree at Austin College, he pitched for various teams in the Texas League.

Early academic career Rainey began his career in higher education by teaching education at Austin College for three years before receiving his masters and doctorate at the University of Chicago. After receiving his doctorate, he taught for three years at the University of Oregon, then became the president of Franklin College in Indiana from 1927-1931 before becoming the director of the American Youth Commission of the American Council on Education. From 1931 to 1935, he was the president of Bucknell University. Subsequently, he served as director of the American Youth Commission of the American Council on Education for four years.

Presidency and controversy at University of Texas In 1939, Rainey was named President of University of Texas at Austin,

After the firing, 8,000 students went on strike and protested at the university and at the state capitol. Less than three months after Rainey's firing, the governor appointed new board members. While the new members increased funding for social science and rehired the aforementioned fired professors, they did not re-hire Rainey to his prior position as a professor of education. Several organizations, including the American Association of University Professors, the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and Phi Beta Kappa, reprimanded the university for firing Rainey.

Legacy Despite the controversy and eventual firing, he is a symbol for academic freedom, even to this day, according to the University of Texas' website. He also is believed to be the 1st candidate for a statewide office in Texas supported by labor unions and minorities. Rainey had received numerous honors and awards, including the Robert L. Stearns Award and the outstanding professor award from the University of Colorado, as well as receiving an honorary doctorate, the founders medal, the distinguished alumnus award from Austin College. He also was elected to their athletic hall of fame and an award was named after him. In 1995 the University of Texas renamed its Music Building "Homer Rainey Hall" in his honor.