W.B. Irvin

Education, BA 1921; MA 1927

William Buel Irvin, a native of Cross Plains, Texas, was born on October 11, 1899. Irvin received two degrees from Simmons College before completing his Doctorate of Education at the University of Texas in 1939. He served as principal of Pampa High School and later as superintendent in Pampa, Perryton, Lubbock, and Highland Park Independent School Districts. During World War I and World War II, Irvin served in the U.S. Army.

Dr. Irvin was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association, the West Texas Teachers Association, the Northwest Conference for Education, and the Texas Association of School Administrators. He helped to organize the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and the National Educators Life Insurance Company. He co-authored two books: Amigos Panamericanos and The Unit Method of Learning and Teaching.

In 1981 Dr. Irvin and his wife, Jimmie, gave a generous donation to the Hardin-Simmons University School of Education resulting in the naming of the Irvin School of Education. Additionally, Dr. and Mrs. Irvin, who was also a 1921 Simmons graduate, endowed the Irvin Chair of Education. Dr. Irvin served on the HSU Board of Trustees from 1959 to 1969 and from 1971 to 1980. For seven years he selflessly gave of his time to serve as Chairman of the HSU Board. In 1960 Irvin was awarded the John J. Keeter Alumni Award and in 1969 he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Hardin-Simmons. The Irvins were longtime members of the First Baptist Church, Dallas, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Dr. William Buel Irvin died on July 8, 1985, at age 85.

Hardin-Simmons University proudly honors the life of William Buel Irvin.