Will W. Jackson Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-0011

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small collection contains biographical information, photographs, speeches, clippings, awards and other materials related to Jackson’s life and career. Included are several reminiscences of Mexican students who attended the Wesleyan Institute during Jackson’s presidency. The folder of Jackson’s speeches reflects his educational philosophy, and addresses issues such as higher education for African-Americans.

Dates

Majority of material found in late 19th century - 1971

Creator

Jackson, Will Woodward, 1890-1975 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Southwestern University Distinctive Collections and Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the collections and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from SU Distinctive Collections and Archives before any publication use. Distinctive Collections does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Biographical / Historical

W. W. Jackson was a well-known San Antonio, Texas educator, civic leader, and insurance executive. A 1916 graduate of Southwestern University, Jackson also attended University of Texas and Yale. He was also an active layman in the Methodist church at both state and national levels.

After service in World War I, Jackson taught and eventually become President of the Wesleyan Institute (Mexican Methodist Institute), a preparatory school which educated a number of children who were refugees from the Mexican Revolution. A number of these students became prominent in Mexico and the United States.

Jackson later accepted the presidencies of Westmoreland College and the University of San Antonio. He was instrumental in merging Westmoreland with Trinity University. In 1946, Jackson became vice-president of American Hospital and Life Insurance Company. He helped organize and promote educational television (KLRN) and was the first chair of the public station’s council. Elected to the State Board of Education in 1959, he eventually rose to chair.

Jackson received numerous awards and honors, including an honorary doctorate and distinguished alumnus award from Southwestern University. The library of Jackson and his wife, a Southwestern University alumna, was donated to the university.