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Alabama A&M University

Coordinates: 34°47′05″N 86°34′12″W / 34.784643°N 86.569950°W / 34.784643; -86.569950
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Alabama A&M University
Former names
Huntsville Normal School (1875-1890)
State Normal and Industrial School at Huntsville (1890-1919)
The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes (1919-1948)
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College (1948-1969)
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (1969)
MottoService is Sovereignty
TypePublic, HBCU
Land grant
Established1875
PresidentAndrew Hugine, Jr.
Undergraduates4,505 (Fall 2015)[1]
Postgraduates1,123 (Fall 2015)[2]
Location
Normal
,
Alabama
,
U.S.

34°47′05″N 86°34′12″W / 34.784643°N 86.569950°W / 34.784643; -86.569950
CampusSuburban, 880 acres (3.6 km2)
ColorsMaroon and White
   
NicknameBulldogs and Lady Bulldogs
AffiliationsAPLU
ORAU
ACES
MascotButch
Websitewww.aamu.edu

Alabama A&M University is a public, historically black, land-grant university located in Normal, Alabama, United States.[3][4] AAMU is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in the 1870s as a normal school, it took its present name in 1969. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Historic District, also known as Normal Hill College Historic District, has 28 buildings and 4 structures listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places.

History

William Hooper Councill Statue

Alabama A&M was established by an act of the Alabama State Legislature in 1873 as the State Normal School and University for the Education of the Colored Teachers and Students. Peyton Finley introduced twin bills in the State Board of Education for the establishment of four normal schools for whites and blacks in 1875.

By 1878, the state appropriation increased to $2,000 and the school changed its name to the State Normal and Industrial School. Industrial training began in 1883. In 1885 the name was changed to State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville.

By 1890, the students numbered 300, with 11 teachers, the school site became known as Normal, Alabama, and a post office was established. Students were called "Normalites." In 1891, the school was designated as a land-grant college through legislative enactment February 13 and received funds as a land-grant college under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1890.

In 1896, its name was changed to The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes. In 1919, the school became the State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes, and in 1948 it was renamed the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College. In 1939, the State Board of Education granted authority to offer course work on the senior college level. In 1949, its name was changed to Alabama A&M College. AAMU became fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1963.

In June 1969, the school adopted its current name. In July 1996, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. John T. Gibson as the university’s ninth president and the one who would ultimately lead the institution into the new millennium. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, and a graduate of Tuskegee University and the University of Colorado-Boulder, Gibson immediately began implementation of his ambitious "eight-step plan".

The Gibson administration saw the construction of the West Campus Complex, the erection of the 21,000-seat Louis Crews Stadium, the renovations of buildings and the moving of athletic programs to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The School of Engineering and Technology facility was built in 2002, and the Ph.D. program in Reading and Literacy was established.

Campus

Alabama A&M University Historic District
Alabama A&M University is located in Alabama
Alabama A&M University
Area291 acres (118 ha)
Architectural styleClassical Revival, Modern Movement
NRHP reference No.01001407[5]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 31, 2001
Designated ARLHAugust 25, 1994[6]
Alabama A&M Campus, also known as "The Hill."
Alabama A&M Campus, also known as "The Hill."

Campus history

  • On May 1, 1875, the school opened with a state appropriation of $1,000, 61 pupils, and two teachers at its first location on Clinton Street in Huntsville. In 1881, the school was moved to first school-owned property on West Clinton Street (the land upon which the Von Braun Center is presently located) known as the "Dement Place." The property on West Clinton Street was deeded to the State of Alabama by trustees in 1884.
  • In 1885, the state appropriations were increased to $4,000 and a building erected for industrial training through $1,000 grant from the Slater Fund.
  • On September 30, 1891 the present site of 182.73 acres (739,000 m²) was purchased. The school expanded to include agriculture and home economics and Palmer Hall (named for State Superintendent Solomon Palmer) and (Governor Thomas) Seay Hall were built with student labor.
  • In 1911, McCormick (Hospital) Hall and Councill Domestic Science Building were erected and Bibb Graves Hall was constructed in 1929. The university hired the noted Olmsted Brothers firm in 1927 to design a master plan for the campus. The firm continued to oversee campus planning and landscape architecture until 1959.[7]
  • The first library on the campus was built with funds from the Carnegie Foundation in 1904 for $12,000, and was named for its benefactor, Andrew Carnegie.

Facilities

Information Marquee
Information Marquee
The AAMU Student Health and Wellness Center opened during Fall of 2010.
  • The J.F. Drake Memorial Learning Resources Center (LRC) houses approximately 256,884 volumes, 2,200 journals and is a partial depository for government documents. The University Archives located on the third floor has a collection of documents, records, correspondence and photographs related to AAMU. The 2002 LRC renovation added over 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²), an interactive Distance Learning Auditorium, conference, study and class rooms, lounges, and computer lab.
  • The State Black Archives Research Center and Museum, a part of the LRC, is housed in the James H. Wilson Building, a national registered historical structure.
  • The AAMU Small Business Development Center provides free counseling to small businesses in seven counties. Client services also include workshops, a business planning resource room, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Services.
  • The Agribition Center is designed to host events, including trade shows and agricultural events.
  • Louis Crews Stadium is home of the AAMU’s Bulldogs football team. The multi-purpose stadium seats 21,000 and is the sixth largest stadium in Alabama.
  • The Student Health and Wellness Center is staffed with full-time licensed health care professionals. It offers gynecological services, limited dermatology services, nutrition services, sports medicine, and psychological and counseling services.
  • In 2002 the latest renovation saw the LRC become a 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) structure now housing over 400,000 volumes, digital research sources and other student oriented services.
  • In 1994, the Mamie Foster Student Living/Learning Complex was erected. Groundbreaking was held for new School of Business facility in 1995 and stadium and residence hall construction began. The Engineering and Technology building construction was completed in 2002 and opened for classes in January 2003.
  • The campus is served by the Bulldog Transit shuttle bus system.

University profile

Academic Divisions of
Alabama A&M University
College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences
College of Business and Public Affairs
College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences
College of Engineering, Technology & Physical Sciences
Graduate Studies


Students

  • From 44 states and 11 foreign countries
  • 5333 undergraduates and 1,123 graduate students, (Fall 2014).[8]
  • 42 percent first-time college students
  • Middle 50th percentile on ACT: 17–18
  • 93 student clubs and organizations
  • 75 percent student participation in community service projects

Faculty

  • 20:1 student-faculty ratio
  • Fewer than 40 students in 86 percent of courses
  • 348 faculty members across all undergraduate, graduate and professional programs

Academics

  • 41 Baccalaureate, 23 Master’s, 1 EdS and 4 doctoral degrees offered.
  • Degrees conferred: BA, BGS, BS, BSCE, BSEE, BSET, BSME, EdS, MBA, MEd, MEng, MS, MSW, MURP, PhD.
  • Honors Program available for academically exceptional undergraduate students.

Colleges, schools and departments

Student life

Student Government Association

Alabama A&M University's Student Government Association is the overall student governing body and is responsible for many of the activities and programs designed and executed by students for students. It is composed of 2 main sections, the executive board of ten (10) elected officers and a 28-member council that is elected by the respective classes and includes each class president. Each of the ten executive board officers are required to do fifteen office hours per week. All students enrolled at Alabama A&M University are members of the student body and are entitled to representation by a governed body.

Student activities

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development (OSALD) provides services, programs and co-curricular experiences that provide students with opportunities to develop skills, improve leadership competencies, and enrich their college experience. OSALD has oversight of and provides assistance to several student-led organizations:

Other student organizations

Alabama A&M University Choir

In May 2008, the Alabama A&M University Choir was slated to participate in the American Choral Music Festival in Leipzig, Germany. In 2007, the choir became the first HBCU choir to be invited to attend the American Choral Festival in Germany. On Thursday, January 21, 2010 the choir performed a historical concert at the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) Annual Conference. This was a historical event because the choir was the first HBCU Choir in the state to perform at that conference. In 2014, the choir was invited by the Distinguished Concerts International of New York (DCINY)to be presented in concert at the Lincoln Center in New York, NY.

Telecommunications program

In 2008, Telecommunications students played an active role on campus. Katherine Mitchell and Alexandria Jackson created the A&M's news show Hump Day. In 2009, Brandon Blevins and Brandon "Wizeman" Lewis created a series of Alabama A&M University short films including Ebony Fire, Tone of Demise 2 and Matters of the Heart.

Athletics

Main article: Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Fans and alumni watch Alabama A&M's football team during Homecoming 2014.

Alabama A&M's sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly I-AA for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Alabama A&M's colors are maroon and white and their mascot is the Bulldog. The Alabama A&M Department of Athletics sponsors men's intercollegiate basketball, football, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis and track & field along with women's intercollegiate tennis, basketball, soccer, track, cross country, bowling, volleyball and softball. Also offered are men's and women's swimming clubs. The football team's home games are played at Louis Crews Stadium. Both men's and women's basketball home games are played in Elmore Gymnasium, affectionately known by fans as "The Dog House."[10]

Media

Alabama A&M University is the licensee for National Public Radio affiliate station WJAB 90.9, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week on campus.[11]

Alumni chapters by region

Notable alumni

Academia

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
Dr. Jack Thomas (academic) 1983 11th President of Western Illinois University [13]
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green 2003 Tuskegee University professor, currently developing a cancer treatment involving lasers and nanoparticles. [14]

Public Service and Government

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
James L. Jennings 1968 (MBA 1973) Former NASA Associate Administrator
Charles Scales 1975 Former NASA Associate Deputy Administrator
Mandela Barnes 2008 Politician, Wisconsin State Representative 11th Assembly District
Don Calloway 2002 Politician, Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 71st district
Whiquitta Tobar 2012 Georgetown Law graduate, Zubrow Fellow in Children’s Law at the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia. Former college basketball player at Alabama A&M

Athletics

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
John Stallworth 1974 (MBA 1986) National Football League Hall of Fame member, Former Pittsburgh Steelers player; four time Super Bowl champion; four time Pro-Bowler
Robert Mathis 2003 National Football League NFL Pro Bowl defensive end for Indianapolis Colts
Howard Ballard 1987 Former National Football League player (2 time Pro-Bowler, 4 time Super Bowler) [15]
Mike Williams (tight end) 1982 Former National Football League player [16]
Ronnie Coleman (American football) 1974 Former National Football League player, running back for the Houston Oilers from 1974 to 1981 [17]
Jamaal Johnson-Webb 2012 Current National Football League offensive lineman
Frank Kearse 2011 National Football League Current National Football League defensive tackle for the Washington Redskins
Johnny Baldwin 2006 Former National Football League player (Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins) [18]
Joe Patton 1994 National Football League Former Tackle for the Washington Redskins
Kenyon Hambrick 2000 National Football League Former Wide Receiver for the Baltimore Ravens [19]
Kendrick Rogers 2001 National Football League Former Offensive Lineman for the Arizona Cardinals [20]
Brick Haley 1989 National Football League and College football defensive coach
Robert Prunty 1988 Cincinnati Bearcats football Offensive Coordinator [21]
Mickell Gladness 2008 Former National Basketball Association player
Obie Trotter 2006 International Professional Basketball player and 2006 NCAA season steals leader
Desmond Cambridge 2002 All-time NCAA season steals leader
Cleon Jones former Major League Baseball player
Dannette Young-Stone 1986 Former track athlete, who won U.S. Olympic gold and silver medals in the 4 X 100 relay in 1988 and 1992 [22]
Mfana Futhi Bhembe 2008 former soccer player for the Bulldogs who went on to play in soccer leagues in Swaziland and in Major League Soccer.
Barry Wagner 1989 Former Arena Football League player
L. Vann Pettaway 1980 Former men's head basketball coach
Jean Harbor 1986 Former soccer player for the Bulldogs who went on to play in various soccer leagues in Nigeria and the United States
Lwazi Maziya Former soccer player for the Bulldogs who went on to play with Mbabane Swallows of the Swazi Premier League and the Swaziland national football team.

Civil Rights

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
Vivian Malone Jones 1963 Received a Bachelor's degree in Business Education from AAMU before being made famous from Alabama Governor George Wallace blocking her enrollment at the University of Alabama.
Joseph Lowery Attended Minister and leader during African-American Civil Rights Movement

Religion

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
Sylvester Croom, Sr. Minister and community leader in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Father of first African-American SEC head football coach Sylvester Croom Jr. Former AAMU football player.

Music and Art

Name Class year Notability Reference(s)
Ruben Studdard American Idol season 2 winner
Michael Crooms Music Producer
KD 2007 Singer-songwriter, record producer, rapper
Sun Ra Attended jazz musician
Bama Boyz Music Producers

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.aamu.edu/news/2011/Pages/AAMU-Experiences-Marked-Enrollment-Increase.aspx
  2. ^ "Alabama A & M University". USNews.com. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  3. ^ "Results". Commission on Colleges. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  4. ^ "What are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)?". Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  6. ^ "Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage". Alabama Historical Commission. www.preserveala.org. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  7. ^ "NRHP Registration". National Register of Historic Places. 2001.
  8. ^ http://www.aamu.edu/news/2011/Pages/AAMU-Releases-Enrollment-Data.aspx
  9. ^ http://www.aamu.edu/academics/pages/default.aspx
  10. ^ http://aamusports.com/news/2010/8/12/MSOC_0812102838.aspx
  11. ^ http://www.aamu.edu.509
  12. ^ http://www.aamu.edu/alumni/documents/aamu%20alumni%20chapters%20by%20region.pdf
  13. ^ http://www.wiu.edu/president/
  14. ^ http://www.tuskegee.edu/academics/colleges/ceps/ceps_special_programs/phd_program_in_materials_science_engineering/facultystaff/dr_hadiyah-nicole_green2.aspx
  15. ^ http://www.nfl.com/player/howardballard/2499513/profile
  16. ^ http://www.nfl.com/player/mikewilliams/2528986/profile
  17. ^ http://www.nfl.com/player/ronniecoleman/2511750/profile
  18. ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BaldJo99.htm
  19. ^ http://www.nfl.com/player/kenyonhambrick/2504759/profile
  20. ^ http://www.nfl.com/player/kendrickrogers/2504510/profile
  21. ^ http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/robert_prunty_833493.html
  22. ^ http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/02/alabama_am_sports_history_trac.html

Additional reading

  1. Morrison, Richard David. History of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University: 1875–1992. Huntsville, Ala. : Liberal Arts Press, c1994.
  2. ^ "Results". Archived from the original on 11 December 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Historically Black Colleges and Universities". Archived from the original on 10 December 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "WJAB Jazz & Blues!!". Archived from the original on 8 November 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

Saintjones, Jerome. (2011) Normal Index Online. Alabama A&M University. Normal, AL

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