Texas Southern University
File:Texas Southern University seal.png | |
Former names | Houston Colored Junior College (1927–1934) Houston College for Negroes (1934–1947) Texas State University for Negroes (1947–1951) |
---|---|
Motto | "Excellence in Achievement" |
Type | State university, HBCU |
Established | March 7, 1927 |
Endowment | $48.7 million [1] |
President | John Rudley |
Provost | Sunny E. Ohia |
Students | 9,646 |
Location | , , U.S. 29°43′20″N 95°21′40″W / 29.72222°N 95.36111°W |
Campus | Urban, 150-acre (0.61 km2) |
Colors | Maroon and Gray[2] |
Nickname | Tigers |
Website | www |
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Texas Southern University (shortened to Texas Southern or simply TSU) is a historically black university (HBCU) located in Houston, Texas, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[3] The University was established in 1927 as the Houston Colored Junior College. It developed through its private college phase as the four-year Houston Colored College. On March 3, 1947, the state declared this to be the first state university in Houston; it was renamed Texas State University for Negroes. In 1951, the name changed to Texas Southern University.
Texas Southern University is one of the largest and most comprehensive HBCUs in the nation.[4] TSU is one of only four independent public universities in Texas (those not affiliated with any of Texas' six public university systems) and the only HBCU in Texas recognized as one of America's Top Colleges by Forbes magazine.[5] TSU is the leading producer of college degrees to African Americans and Hispanics in Texas and ranks 4th in the United States in doctoral and professional degrees conferred to African Americans.[6] The university is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Waldivia Ardlaw of Cite: The Architecture + Design Review of Houston wrote that the university serves as "the cultural and community center of" the Third Ward area where it is located, in addition to being its university.[7]
History
On March 7, 1927 the Houston Independent School District school board resolved to establish junior colleges for each race, as the state was racially segregated in all public facilities. The resolution created Houston Junior College (later became the University of Houston) and Houston Colored Junior College. The Houston Colored Junior College first held classes at Jack Yates High School during the evenings. It later changed its name to Houston College for Negroes.
In February 1946, Heman Marion Sweatt, an African-American man, applied to the University of Texas School of Law. He was denied admission because of race, and subsequently filed suit in Sweatt v. Painter (1950). The state had no law school for African Americans. Instead of granting Sweatt a writ of mandamus to attend the University of Texas, the trial court granted a continuance for six months to allow the state time to create a law school for blacks.
As a result, the state founded Texas Southern University under Texas Senate Bill 140 by the Fiftieth Texas Legislature on March 3, 1947 as a state university to be located in Houston. Originally named Texas State University for Negroes, the school was established to serve African Americans in Texas and offer them fields of study comparable to those available to white Texans. The state took over the Houston Independent School District (HISD)-run Houston College for Negroes as a basis for the new university. At the time, Houston College moved to the present site (adjacent to the University of Houston), which was donated by Hugh Roy Cullen. It had one permanent building and an existing faculty and students. The new university was charged with teaching "pharmacy, dentistry, arts and sciences, journalism education, literature, law, medicine and other professional courses." The legislature stipulated that "these courses shall be equivalent to those offered at other institutions of this type supported by the State of Texas."
Given the differences in facilities and intangibles, such as the distance of the new school from Austin, the University of Texas School of Law, and other law students, the United States Supreme Court ruled the new facility did not satisfy "separate but equal" provisions.It ruled that African Americans must also be admitted to the University of Texas Law School at Austin. See Sweatt v. Painter (1950).[citation needed]
In March 1960, Texas Southern University students organized Houston's first sit-in at a public segregated establishment. The success of their sit-in inspired more civil right efforts throughout the city that within months led to the full desegregation of Houston's public establishments.[8] Today, a historical marker commissioned by the state government stands on the property of the sit-in to commemorate the courageous acts of those TSU students.[9]
Campus
The university today has more than 45 buildings on a 150-acre (0.61 km2) urban gated campus in the middle of Houston's Third Ward. The campus is only three miles southeast of Downtown Houston and six miles east of Uptown Houston.
The school's first structure was the Thornton B. Fairchild Building, built 1947-1948 and housing administration and classroom space. Temporary buildings served as faculty housing during that time.[7] The Mack H. Hannah hall, designed by Lamar Q. Cato and opened in 1950, was the second building. In the late 1950s many more buildings opened, including classroom, dormitory, and student union facilities.[10]
University Museum
Opened in 2000, the 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m2) exhibition space displays a variety of historical and contemporary art. The museum is the permanent home of the Web of Life, a twenty-six-foot mural masterpiece by world-renowned artist Dr. John T. Biggers,[11] founding chairman of the TSU art department.[12]
Leonard H.O. Spearman Technology building
In 2014, TSU unveiled a $31 million 108,000-square-foot, four-story structure named after the school's fifth president. In addition to having 35 state-of-the-art labs, the facility is home to a new Tier 1 University Transportation Center, the Center for Transportation Training and Research, and the new National Science Foundation Center for Research on Complex Networks. The departments of Engineering, Transportation Studies, Computer Science, Industrial Technology, Physics, and Aviation Science and Technology academic programs are housed in the building.[13] TSU is the only four-year state supported university in Texas to offer a Pilot Ground School course and the first HBCU to implement a Maritime Transportation degree program.[14][15]
Jesse H. Jones School of Business
Jesse H. Jones (JHJ) School of Business is located in a three-story, 76,000 square-foot building completed in 1998 and accommodates approximately 1,600 students in undergraduate and graduate studies. The Jesse H. Jones School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)[16] and been named one of the "Best Business Schools" by the Princeton Review.[17]
The Jesse H. Jones School of Business currently offers bachelor's degree majors in Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing with master's degree majors in Masters of Business Administrarion (MBA), Masters in Management Information Systems, and Executive Masters of Business Administration (eMBA). Its eMBA program was ranked 5th in the United States by Business MBA.[18]
College of Education
The College of Education building consists of the Department of Counseling, the Department of Curriculm and Instruction, the Department of Educational Administration & Foundations, and the Department of Health and Kinesiology. The College has an enrollment of approximately 1,000 in undergraduate and graduate studies.[19] In 2014, the National Council on Teacher Quality ranked TSU's College of Education 56th in the nation for best secondary education programs and gave the college a "top-ranked" distinction.[20]
Barbara Jordan–Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs
An extensive set of curricular offerings is provided through the Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland School Of Public Affairs, which offers courses in Administration of Justice (AJ), Political Science (POLS), Public Affairs (PA), Military Science (MSCI), and Urban Planning & Environmental Policy (UPEP) on the undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral level. The school sits in a 82,000-square-foot facility completed in 2008. Sociologist Robert D. Bullard currently is Dean of the school.[21]
School of Science and Technology
The School of Science and Technology building is home to several scholastic programs, such as the Houston Louis Stokes Alliance Minority Program (H-LSAMP) and the Thomas Freeman Honors College. It also houses several research programs, such as the NASA University Research Center for Bio-Nanotechnology and Environmental Research (NASA URC C-BER), Maritime Transportation Studies and Research, as well as the STEM research program.TSU’s NASA University Research Center (C-BER) addresses human health concerns related to manned exploration of space. Programs such as TSU’s NASA University Research Center (C-BER) and participation in The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Preparation Program (LSAMP) support undergraduate, graduate and faculty development while helping to increase the number of US citizens receiving degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.[22] The school offers the only doctoral degree in environmental toxicology in Southeast Texas.[23]
Spurgeon N. Gray Hall (COPHS)
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) has approximately 800 students and ranked 80th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. COPHS has the distinction of being one of the nation’s leading producers of minority health professionals. For the past half‑century, the College has produced nearly one‑third of the Black pharmacists practicing nationwide. TSU has also been a leading producer of Black medical technologists and respiratory therapists.[24]
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) is one of only four public law schools in Texas and ranks as one of the most diverse law schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.[25] TMSL is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and a member-school of The Association of American Law Schools (AALS).[26] Enrollment is at approximately 600 students.
Sterling Student Life Center
The Ernest S. Sterling Student Life Center (SSLC) is the nucleus of campus life at TSU. It provides cultural, social, recreational, educational and religious programs and services for students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests, as it creates constructive leisure and educational activities. The Student Center is home to the TSU Bookstore, TSU Cheerleaders, Bowling Alley, Game Room, Student Government Association (SGA), University Program Council (UPC), Herald Newspaper, Tiger Yearbook, Cafeteria, Office of Campus Organizations, Student Activities administrative offices and Office of Events.[27]
Granville M. Sawyer Auditorium
Recently renovated, the Sawyer Auditorium is Texas Southern University’s historical landmark. Sawyer Auditorium features split level seating for up to 1,800 guests for hosting university sponsored events. It also has an adjacent drama playhouse.[28]
Newman Hall
Constructed in 1969, Newman Hall houses the Texas Southern University campus ministry,blending three activity areas. The worship, library and social functions all revolve around a central, sky-lit interior. Flexibility of interior use is achieved with moveable furniture and rolling barn doors.
Tiger Walk
The Tiger Walk is the maroon and gray paved central street on campus where most of TSU outdoor social activities are held and students lounge or socialize.
Residential facilities
The school has apartments and residence halls.[29]
- Lanier East Hall, for male students
- Lanier West Hall, for female students
- Tierwester Oaks, co-ed
- The Urban Academic Village (UAV), co-ed
- University Hall, co-ed, slated for a Summer 2016 grand opening
Athletic facilities
- BBVA Compass Stadium - The $95 million brand new 22,000 seat stadium in East Downtown is the new permanent home of Tiger Football as of Fall 2012.
- Health and Physical Education Arena (H&PE Arena) - An 8,100 seat athletic arena (largest arena in the SWAC). It is home to the annual graduation ceremonies, Tiger Basketball, Lady Tiger Basketball and Volleyball.
- Alexander Durley Stadium - The 5,500 seat stadium is the home of TSU soccer games and the annual TSU Relays.
- TSU Recreation and Wellness Center - A state-of-the-art multi-purpose athletic facility that features three full courts, an indoor track, swimming pool, weight room, exercise studios, lounge areas (equipped with Satellite TVs), study area, and a health conscious food court.[30]
Transportation
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) operates public transportation services, including buses and the METRORail tram service, which serve the university. The METRORail Purple Line station serving the university is Robertson Stadium/UH/TSU station.
Academics
Academic rankings | |
---|---|
National | |
Forbes[31] | 649 |
Washington Monthly[32] | 201 |
Texas Southern University offers over 80 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a "Doctoral university with moderate research activity"[33] and currently comprises 11 schools and colleges along with several scholastic and research programs.
- The Thomas F. Freeman Honors College[34] (formerly the Frederick Douglass Honors Program)
- The Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs:[35] Mickey Leland Center, Barbara Jordan Institute, Emergency Management Program[36]
- The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: RCMI Institute for Biomedical and Health Disparities Research, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Center for Human Performance and Material Science, Center of Excellence in Health Disparities Research: Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
- The Thurgood Marshall School of Law: Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Justice,Center for Legal Pedagogy, Institute for International and Immigration Law (IIIL), Center for Government
- The College of Education: TSU Charter Laboratory School
- The College of Science, Engineering, and Technology: National Transportation Security Center of Excellence for Petro-Chemical Transportation (NTSCOE-P), Center for Transportation Training and Research (CTTR), TSU NASA University Research Center for Bionanotechnology and Environmental Research (TSU NASA C-BER), Innovative Transportation Research Institute (ITRI), Houston National Summer Transportation Institute (HNSTI), Research Center in Minority Institution (RCMI) Computational Core: Advanced Computational Simulation Center, Research Center in Minority Institution (RCMI) Computational Core: Data Analysis and Visualization Center, NASA C-BER Fellows Program, NASA C-BER Scholars Program, Houston Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (H-LSAMP) Program, Science & Engineering Summer Program, Science Technology and Enhancement Program (STEP), Maritime Transportation Management and Security Program
- The Jesse H. Jones School of Business (AACSB accredited): Economic Development Center, Gerald B. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development, JPMorgan Chase Center for Financial Education, Kase Lawal Center for Global Trade
- The Graduate School
- The School of Communication: The Center for the Radio, Television and Print Media Professional Studies
- The College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences (COLAB): The Thomas F. Freeman Center for Forensic Excellence, The Confucius Institute (education partnership with China)
- The College of Continuing Education
Admissions
Texas Southern University annually receives over 10,000 applications and only offer admissions to approximately 50% of applicants.[37]
Libraries
Texas Southern University's main library is the Robert J. Terry (RJT) Library. The Brown Foundation re-invested in TSU with a two-year $1.2 million commitment to the Robert J. Terry Library to improve its Urban Learning Center. The Urban Learning Center is an integral part of a new era of initiatives at Texas Southern and will provide critical support to the currently planned Academic Village. The new improvements will enhance the ability of the RJT Library to address the literary and academic needs of TSU students. The RJT library is home to an African Art Gallery, The Heartman Collection, and many types of valuable archives.[38]
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law building also houses an extensive library.
Demographics
As of 2012, the student body is 82% Black, 6% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 4% International, 3% White, and <1% Other. The top three state origins of U.S. students following Texas are California, Louisiana, and Georgia. And the top three country origins of international students are Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and China. The student body is 42% male and 58% female. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1.[39]
Student activities
The air is filled as our voices ring |
Words and Music by C.A. Tolbert |
Traditions
There are several traditions established on the campus of Texas Southern University. The most well-known ones are Labor Day Classic weekend, homecoming week, TSU founding day celebration, and Springfest week.
Marching Band (Ocean of Soul)
Texas Southern's marching band the Ocean of Soul has won numerous awards and performed at Super Bowls,[41] The Stellar Awards,[42] various parades, NBA and Houston Texans games. The 200+ member band alumni include Grammy award-winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum. The Ocean of Soul is complemented by The Motion of The Ocean, a female dance team that has been featured on America's Best Dance Crew.
Athletics
Texas Southern sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Texas Southern is part of the Western Division in SWAC divisional sports.
Men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, and track and field. Women's varsity sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball.[43]
Texas Southern most well-known rivals are Prairie View A&M, Southern, Grambling State, and Jackson State.[citation needed]
Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball
Tiger football
KTSU 90.9 FM
In addition to serving as a training unit for TSU students, the station was also established to serve the University at the program level as well as the community by presenting various types of TSU athletics, educational, cultural and social programs to a primarily listening area within a 10-mile (16 km) radius of the University. A 1973 survey indicated that radio was generally the preferred source of information of African-Americans, particularly those with less than a high school education. By the late 1970s, the station had secured an ample audience and programming increased in scope. At the same time, the station increased its power range from 10 watts to 18,500 watts. According to the Arbitron Rating Service (ARS), KTSU has an audience of 244,700 listeners and is number one over all of Houston/Galveston stations for its Sunday format and its Friday format of Golden Oldies.[44]
Notable TSU alumni
|
Notable faculty
Name | Department | Notability | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Robert D. Bullard | Public Policy | Dean of the Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland School Of Public Affairs and regarded by many as the "father of environmental justice." | [61] |
Matthew Knowles | Communications | Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Solange Knowles father, founder of Music World Entertainment, former manager for the members of Destiny's Child and Solange, and adjunct instructor in the School of Communication and Jesse H. Jones School of Business | [62] |
See also
References
- ^ "HBCU Money's 2015 Top 10 HBCU Endowments |". Hbcumoney.com. 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ TSU Graphic Standards (PDF). 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ "COC Colleges & Universities" (PDF). Southern Associates of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "TSU History" (PDF). Jesse H. Jones School of Business. p. 8. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ Howard, Caroline (30 July 2014). "Texas Southern University" "Top Colleges 2014: Best Schools, Best Value, Best For You". Forbes. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
{{cite news}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "TSU Earns Top Ranking as "Degree Producer" Among African American & Hispanic Students". Texas Southern University. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ a b Wardlaw, Alvia. "Heart of the Third Ward: Texas Southern University" (Archive). Cite: The Architecture + Design Review of Houston. Rice Design Alliance, Fall 1996. Volume 35. p.20.
- ^ "How TSU students changed history". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Residents fighting to save Southmore Post Office at the site of Houston's first sit-in". abc13.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ Wardlaw, Alvia. "Heart of the Third Ward: Texas Southern University" (Archive). Cite: The Architecture + Design Review of Houston. Rice Design Alliance, Fall 1996. Volume 35. p.21.
- ^ "University Museum". Texas Southern University.
- ^ "John Biggers brought African influence to art | African American Registry". www.aaregistry.org. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
- ^ "Spearman Technology Building". Texas Southern University.
- ^ "Texas Southern University". guidrynews.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Business School Data Trends and 2010 List of Accredited Schools" (PDF). AACSB. p. 55. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Jesse H. Jones School Of Business At Texas Southern University Featured In The Princeton Review's "Best 295 Business Schools: 2014 Edition"". Princeton Review. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Top 10 Best Online Executive MBA Programs 2013". Business MBA. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Texas does well in teacher training rankings". K-12 Zone. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ TSU. "About Us". tsu.edu. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Toxicology". www.gradschools.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ TSU Facts
- ^ "Law School Diversity Programs - Top Law Schools - US News Best Graduate Schools". rankingsandreviews.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ Forward Times Staff. "Thurgood Marshall School of Law Admitted into AALS". forwardtimesonline.com. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Sterling Student Center". Texas Southern University.
- ^ "Sawyer Auditorium".
- ^ "The Residence Halls". Texas Southern University.
- ^ Facilities
- ^ "America's Top Colleges 2023". Forbes. September 27, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "2024 National University Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Texas Southern University". Center for Postsecondary Research. 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ^ Thomas F. Freeman Honors College
- ^ Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs
- ^ Mickey Leland Center, Barbara Jordan Institute, Emergency Management Program
- ^ http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/DocFetch.cfm?DocID=6555
- ^ "Special Collections". Tsu.edu. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ^ [1]. Retrieved on January 12, 2014.
- ^ "Texas Souther University History and Alma Mater" (PDF).
- ^ "Houston Bands March at Super Bowl XXXVIII". CHRON. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
- ^ "RECAP:Stellar Award 20th Anniversary Taping 2005". Gospel Flava. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
- ^ "TigerFans.net". TigerFans.net.
- ^ "KTSU FM".
- ^ "Michael Strahan Biography". tvguide.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "Yolanda Adams – Biography of Urban Gospel Artist Yolanda Adams". about.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "JORDAN, Barbara Charline – Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "LELAND, George Thomas (Mickey) – Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "Welcome to Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas". tsulaw.edu. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Ruth Jones McClendon". intelius.com. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ^ "Meet Gilbert Pena". Take Back House District 144. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ^ "Rocky Williform Featured Experts". newscertified.com. Retrieved 24 Jun 2012.
- ^ "Tavis Smiley . Shows . Harry Johnson . April 4, 2007". pbs.org. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "Ron Reynolds". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Cortez Hankton, Past Statistics History Awards". databasefootball.com. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
- ^ "Oliver Celestin, Past Statistics History Awards". databasefootball.com. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
- ^ "Warren Bone". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ^ "Biography". Retrieved 2011-07-05.
- ^ "City of Houston > Office of the City Controller". houstontx.gov. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "USATF Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- ^ Dicum, Gregory. "Meet Robert Bullard, the father of environmental justice". Grist.org. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "MEIEA Summit 2015". meiea.org. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- African-American history in Houston, Texas
- Texas Southern University
- Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Historically black universities and colleges in the United States
- Educational institutions established in 1947
- 1947 establishments in Texas
- HBCUs in Texas