Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University is a public historically black university located in Houston, Texas, and is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. The university was established in 1927 as the Houston Colored Junior College and has since grown to become one of the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States, with a strong focus on African American culture and Civil Rights Movement. The university has a long history of producing notable alumni, including Barbara Jordan, a former member of the United States House of Representatives and the first African American woman to serve in the Texas Senate. The university is also a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

● History

The history of the university dates back to 1927, when it was established as the Houston Colored Junior College with the support of the Houston Independent School District and the Houston Chamber of Commerce. The college initially offered courses in English literature, mathematics, and science, and was located in a former Houston elementary school building. In 1934, the college became a four-year institution and was renamed Houston Colored College, with a focus on liberal arts and teacher education. The college continued to grow and expand, and in 1947, it was renamed Texas Southern University and became a state-supported institution. The university played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, with many of its students and faculty members participating in sit-ins, freedom rides, and other protests against racial segregation and discrimination. Notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Thurgood Marshall have visited the university and spoken to its students.

● Academics

The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including business administration, engineering, health sciences, and social work, through its various colleges and schools, including the Jesse H. Jones School of Business, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The university is also home to several research centers and institutes, including the Center for African American Studies, the Institute for International Studies, and the Center for Transportation Training and Research. The university has a strong focus on STEM education and has partnerships with several major corporations, including NASA, Microsoft, and Google. The university is also a member of the National Science Foundation's Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

● Campus

The university's campus is located in the Third Ward of Houston, Texas, and covers an area of over 150 acres. The campus is home to several historic buildings, including the Hannah Hall, which was built in 1949 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus is also home to several modern facilities, including the Health and Physical Education Building, the Jesse H. Jones School of Business Building, and the Sterling Student Life Center. The university has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including the use of solar energy and recycling programs. The campus is also home to several public art installations, including works by John Biggers and Samella Lewis.

● Student Life

The university has a diverse student body, with students from over 40 states and 50 countries. The university offers a wide range of student organizations and activities, including fraternities and sororities, cultural organizations, and athletic teams. The university is also home to several student media outlets, including the TSU Herald newspaper and the Tiger TV television station. The university has a strong focus on community service and offers several programs and initiatives to support student involvement in volunteer work and community engagement, including the TSU Community Service Program and the Houston Food Bank. The university is also a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the American College Personnel Association.

● Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Texas Southern Tigers, compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The university offers several sports programs, including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. The university has a strong athletic tradition and has produced several notable athletes, including Michael Strahan, a former National Football League player and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and Robert Smith, a former National Basketball Association player. The university's athletic teams have won several conference championships, including the SWAC Championship and the NCAA Division I Championship.

● Notable Alumni

The university has a long list of notable alumni, including Barbara Jordan, a former member of the United States House of Representatives and the first African American woman to serve in the Texas Senate. Other notable alumni include Otis King, a former National Football League player and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and Yolanda Adams, a Grammy Award-winning gospel music singer. The university has also produced several notable figures in the fields of law, medicine, and business, including Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and Rodney Ellis, a former member of the Texas Senate. The university's alumni have gone on to achieve great success in a variety of fields, including politics, entertainment, and sports, and have included notable figures such as Dennis Edwards, a former member of the Temptations, and Kenny Rogers, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. Category:Historically black colleges and universities