Roche, Bruce

Biography

Dr. Bruce Roche arrived at Southwest Texas State Teacher's College (now Texas State University) as instructor in journalism in 1958.  He soon became director of the News Service and chair of the Department of Journalism, roles he held until 1967.  He was credited for coining the abbreviation "SWT," which was widely used by the university until the 2003 name change.  It is notable that he was the director of the News Service during LBJ's presidency and many of his trips to campus.

After leaving SWT to work on his doctoral degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, Roche completed his academic teaching career as professor of advertising at the University of Alabama.

LBJ100 Oral History Project

Bruce Roche talks about how he came to SWT in 1958 as a journalism professor and faculty advisor to the College Star.  Observations of Lyndon Johnson's editorials while editor of the Star are insightful, tying aspects of his college experience into his political career.  

Roche also discussed his work as being director of the News Service, and how that position led to being introduced to President Johnson.  He goes on to tell a number of stories about various LBJ visits to campus and how the Secret Service eventually became more relaxed with members of the campus community - enough so to issue pins to certain individuals that indicated how close they could physically get to the President.