Texas Southern University
Encyclopedia
Texas Southern University (shortened to Texas Southern, or simply TSU) is a historically black university
located in Houston, Texas
, United States
.
TSU was established in 1927 as the Houston Colored Junior College, through its private college phase as Houston Colored College. On March 3, 1947, the state declared this to be the first state university in Houston, Texas State University for Negroes. In 1951, the name changed to Texas Southern University.
Texas Southern is one of only four independent public universities in Texas (those not affiliated with any of Texas' six public university systems) and is one of the largest and most comprehensive HBCUs in the nation.
, about 85% of TSU's students were African American
. Fifty-four percent of law school students and 43% of pharmacy students were African American. During that year, the university's president, John Rudley, said that he would try to court Hispanic
s as students.
school board to establish junior colleges for each race. The resolution created Houston Junior College (now the University of Houston
) and Houston Colored Junior College. The Houston Colored Junior College first held classes in 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. (See Sweatt v. Painter
(1950).) The state had no law school for African Americans. Instead of granting Sweatt a writ of mandamus
, the Texas trial court continued the case 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 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 just moved to the present site (adjacent to the University of Houston) donated by Hugh Roy Cullen
and 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 and other law students, the Supreme Court ruled it did not satisfy "separate but equal" provisions, and that African Americans must also be admitted to the University of Texas Law School at Austin.
In the early 1990s, of all Texas universities, TSU had the most incidents of violent crime on its campus. Crime became an issue in the campus during the 14 years leading to 2005.
The university has a 150 acre (0.607029 km²) urban campus in the middle of Houston's Third Ward (immediately southeast of Downtown Houston
).
The College of Science and Technology offers extensive research experiences through various centers, partnerships and collaborations designed to strengthen the overall collegiate experience, and meet critical social needs. TSU’s NASA University Research Center (C-BER) addresses important 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.
.
Other housing options include:
A new soccer stadium has been approved for the east
side of downtown with construction projected to be complete in 2012. With 22,000 seats, the stadium that has been provided through an agreement with the Houston Dynamo
will serve a permanent home for Tiger football. After a logo campaign that spanned six
months, a new logo designed by Byron Byers was
selected to officially represent TSU athletic teams.
Athletics Director Charles McClelland also selected
two additional winning logos, designed by Daniel
Anderson and Walter Land that will be used for
additional marketing and merchandising efforts.
The university currently comprises ten schools and colleges along with several scholastic and research programs:
Center of Excellence in Health Disparities Research: Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
Center for Legal Pedagogy,
Institute for International and Immigration Law (IIIL),
Center for Government,
and the recently established
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 our students.
TSU will offer classes at a brand new northwest campus location starting in fall 2010.
19 The Thurgood Marshall School of Law
is one of four public law schools in Texas
and it also houses a library.
has won numeral awards, performed at Super Bowls , The Stellar Awards The 300+ Band has Alumni Such as,Grammy award-winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum
.
Texas Southern University's school colors are maroon
and gray
and the school's mascot is the Tiger. Texas Southern sports teams participate in NCAA
Division I (Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference
(SWAC).
Men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. Women's varsity sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
TSU's best known rivals are Prairie View A&M
, Southern University
, Jackson State University
and Grambling State University
.
Led by SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and SWAC Championship Game Defensive MVP, Dejuan Fulghum, Texas Southern had the toughest defense in the SWAC in 2010, and #2 ranked in the nation (FCS).
Texas Southern Head coach Johnnie Cole was named the SWAC Football Coach of the Year as announced by the SWAC league office for the 2010 season.
Cole led his alma mater to its first-ever SWAC Championship Game berth and the first 8-win season at Texas Southern since 2000. The Tigers tied the school record with a 9th win Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 after winning the SWAC Championship Game
. Cole is finishing his 3rd season at TSU with a record of 19-16 with the Tigers. He is 34-32 in his 6th season as head coach for his career.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
located in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
TSU was established in 1927 as the Houston Colored Junior College, through its private college phase as Houston Colored College. On March 3, 1947, the state declared this to be the first state university in Houston, Texas State University for Negroes. In 1951, the name changed to Texas Southern University.
Texas Southern is one of only four independent public universities in Texas (those not affiliated with any of Texas' six public university systems) and is one of the largest and most comprehensive HBCUs in the nation.
, about 85% of TSU's students were African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
. Fifty-four percent of law school students and 43% of pharmacy students were African American. During that year, the university's president, John Rudley, said that he would try to court Hispanic
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
s as students.
History
The beginnings of Texas Southern University can be traced to the March 7, 1927 resolution by the Houston Independent School DistrictHouston Independent School District
The Houston Independent School District is the largest public school system in Texas and the seventh-largest in the United States. Houston ISD serves as a community school district for most of the city of Houston and several nearby and insular municipalities...
school board to establish junior colleges for each race. The resolution created Houston Junior College (now the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
) and Houston Colored Junior College. The Houston Colored Junior College first held classes in Yates High School
Yates High School
Jack Yates Senior High School is a secondary school located at 3703 Sampson in the Third Ward in Houston, Texas with a zip code of 77004. Yates High School handles grades nine through twelve and is part of the Houston Independent School District ....
during the evenings. It later changed its name to Houston College for Negroes. In February 1946, Heman Marion Sweatt, an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
man, applied to the University of Texas School of Law
University of Texas School of Law
The University of Texas School of Law, also known as UT Law, is an ABA-certified American law school located on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The law school has been in operation since the founding of the University in 1883. It was one of only two schools at the University when it was...
. He was denied admission because of race, and subsequently filed suit. (See Sweatt v. Painter
Sweatt v. Painter
Sweatt v. Painter, , was a U.S. Supreme Court case that successfully proved lack of equality, in favor of a black applicant, the "separate but equal" doctrine of racial segregation established by the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson. The case was also influential in the landmark case of Brown v...
(1950).) The state had no law school for African Americans. Instead of granting Sweatt a writ of mandamus
Mandamus
A writ of mandamus or mandamus , or sometimes mandate, is the name of one of the prerogative writs in the common law, and is "issued by a superior court to compel a lower court or a government officer to perform mandatory or purely ministerial duties correctly".Mandamus is a judicial remedy which...
, the Texas trial court continued the case 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 Senate Bill 140 by the Fiftieth Texas Legislature
Fiftieth Texas Legislature
The 50th Texas Legislature met from January 14, 1947 to June 6, 1947. All members present during this session were elected in the 1946 general elections, except for Senator Maribelle Stewart of Houston who succeeded her husband, who died in office, in a special election in...
on March 3, 1947 as a state university
State university system
A state university system in the United States is a group of public universities supported by an individual state, or a similar entity such as the District of Columbia. These systems constitute the majority of public-funded universities in the country...
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 just moved to the present site (adjacent to the University of Houston) donated by Hugh Roy Cullen
Hugh Roy Cullen
Hugh Roy Cullen was an American industrialist and philanthropist. Cullen was heavily involved in the petroleum industry, was a large supporter of the University of Houston, and longtime chairman of the board of regents for the university...
and 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 and other law students, the Supreme Court ruled it did not satisfy "separate but equal" provisions, and that African Americans must also be admitted to the University of Texas Law School at Austin.
In the early 1990s, of all Texas universities, TSU had the most incidents of violent crime on its campus. Crime became an issue in the campus during the 14 years leading to 2005.
Campus
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the largest business district of Houston, Texas, United States. Downtown Houston, the city's central business district, contains the headquarters of many prominent companies. There is an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels and skywalks connecting the buildings of the district...
).
Jesse H. Jones School of Business
Jesse H. Jones School of Business is one of the ten colleges and schools at Texas Southern University. Named as one of the "Best 300 Business Schools" by the Princeton Review[1], the Jesse H. Jones School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)[2].[3] Jesse H. Jones School of Business currently have bachelor's degree major in Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems and Marketing, and MIS, MBA and eMBA for Master program.The Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University has approximately 1,600 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate studies.[4] The School was recognized as one of the nation’s “Best Business Schools” by the U.S. News & World Report in 2010 and as one of the “Best 290 Business Schools” by the Princeton Review in 2008[5].School of Science and Technology
One of the newer facilities on the campus this 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 is also home to several research programs like the NASA University Research Center for Bio-Nanotechnology and Environmental Research (NASA URC C-BER)and Maritime Transportation Studies and Research as well as the STEM research programThe College of Science and Technology offers extensive research experiences through various centers, partnerships and collaborations designed to strengthen the overall collegiate experience, and meet critical social needs. TSU’s NASA University Research Center (C-BER) addresses important 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.
University Museum
The 11000 square feet (1,021.9 m²) exhibition space displays a variety of historical and contemporary art and was designated the permanent home of the Web of Life mural by John T. BiggersJohn T. Biggers
John Thomas Biggers was an African American muralist who came to prominence after the Harlem Renaissance and toward the end of World War II. Dr...
.
Sterling Student Life Center
Centrally located on Tiger Walk, 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 Student Government Association (SGA), University Program Council (UPC), Herald Newspaper, Tiger Yearbook, Office of Campus Organizations, TSU Cheerleaders, Student Activities administrative offices and Office of Events.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.Residential facilities
The school has two residence halls for first-year and returning students.- Lanier East Hall, a co-ed for males and females
- Lanier West Hall, for female students
Other housing options include:
- Apartments with utilities included
- University Courtyard Apartments
- Tierwester Oaks
- The Greystone Apartments (utilities not included)
Postal services
- The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal ServiceThe United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
Texas Southern Post Office is located at 3100 Cleburne Street, 77004-4575.
Athletic facilities
- Dynamo Stadium
A new soccer stadium has been approved for the east
side of downtown with construction projected to be complete in 2012. With 22,000 seats, the stadium that has been provided through an agreement with the Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
will serve a permanent home for Tiger football. After a logo campaign that spanned six
months, a new logo designed by Byron Byers was
selected to officially represent TSU athletic teams.
Athletics Director Charles McClelland also selected
two additional winning logos, designed by Daniel
Anderson and Walter Land that will be used for
additional marketing and merchandising efforts.
- Health and Physical Education ArenaHealth and Physical Education ArenaHealth and Physical Education Arena is a 8,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Houston, Texas. It was built in 1989 and is home to the Texas Southern University Tigers basketball team....
- TSU Recreation and Wellness Center
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 that includes courses in Administration of Justice (AJ), Political Science (POLS), Public Affairs (PA), and Military Science (MSCI), as well as three undergraduate degrees and five graduate degrees.Academics
Starting in fall 2010, Texas Southern University will offer college courses in partnership with Lone Star College at its new campus in northwest Houston. And thanks to a new partnership with the City of Houston and Houston Public Library, Texas Southern will offer fine arts classes as well as theatre and dance performances in the historic Deluxe Theater in Houston’s Fifth Ward district, which the city is currently renovating.- The Barbara Jordan /Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs: Mickey Leland Center, Barbara Jordan Institute
- 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 LawThurgood Marshall School of LawThe Thurgood Marshall School of Law is an ABA accredited law school in Houston, Texas, that awards J.D. . It is part of Texas Southern University.-History:...
: 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
- The College of Continuing Education
- The College of Science 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)
- 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
and the recently established
- The Thomas F. Freeman Honors College (formerly the Frederick Douglass Honors Program); The Thomas F. Freeman Center for Forensic Excellence established in the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences.
Library
The university main library is the Robert J. Terry Library.The Brown Foundation re-invested in Texas Southern University with a two-year $1.2 million commitment to the Robert J. Terry Libraryto 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 our students.
TSU will offer classes at a brand new northwest campus location starting in fall 2010.
19 The Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law is an ABA accredited law school in Houston, Texas, that awards J.D. . It is part of Texas Southern University.-History:...
is one of four public law schools in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and it also houses a library.
Student activities
The air is filled as our voices ring From earth to the heav’ns above. With voices raised; we’re singing praise, To the school we dearly love. Hail, Hail, Hail! to Texas South-ern Hail, to our dear Maroon and Gray Undivided we will stand By the greatest in the land, T-S-U, T-S-U, we love you. All roads lead to Texas South-ern, Paved with light for one and all. T-S-U’s a shining star And we’re proud of what you are, T-S-U, T-S-U, we love you. Hail, Hail, Hail! To Texas South-ern Hail to our Chiefs in reverence we sing. In our hearts you’ll always stay As you lead us on our way, T-S-U, T-S-U, we love you. |
| Words and Music by C.A. Tolbert |
Music
The University's marching band the Ocean of SoulOcean of Soul
The Ocean of Soul, also known as the The Ocean, is the marching band of the Texas Southern University, and is currently under the direction of Richard F. Lee, Darryl Singleton and Clarence K. Gipson.-History:...
has won numeral awards, performed at Super Bowls , The Stellar Awards The 300+ Band has Alumni Such as,Grammy award-winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum
Kirk Whalum
Kirk Whalum is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. He toured as Whitney Houston's opening act for several years. Whalum has also recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz...
.
Athletics
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
and gray
Grey
Grey or gray is an achromatic or neutral color.Complementary colors are defined to mix to grey, either additively or subtractively, and many color models place complements opposite each other in a color wheel. To produce grey in RGB displays, the R, G, and B primary light sources are combined in...
and the school's mascot is the Tiger. Texas Southern sports teams participate in NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I (Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference
Southwestern Athletic Conference
The Southwestern Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which is made up of historically black universities in the Southern United States...
(SWAC).
Men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. Women's varsity sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
TSU's best known rivals are Prairie View A&M
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University is a historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas and is a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools...
, Southern University
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...
, Jackson State University
Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
and Grambling State University
Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
.
Tiger football
On December 11, 2010, Texas Southern University won their FIRST Football SWAC Championship in 42 Years. TSU defeated Alabama State 11-6 at Legion Field in the 2010 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship Game.Led by SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and SWAC Championship Game Defensive MVP, Dejuan Fulghum, Texas Southern had the toughest defense in the SWAC in 2010, and #2 ranked in the nation (FCS).
Texas Southern Head coach Johnnie Cole was named the SWAC Football Coach of the Year as announced by the SWAC league office for the 2010 season.
Cole led his alma mater to its first-ever SWAC Championship Game berth and the first 8-win season at Texas Southern since 2000. The Tigers tied the school record with a 9th win Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 after winning the SWAC Championship Game
SWAC Championship Game
The SWAC Championship Game is an American college football game held on the first Saturday in December by the Southwestern Athletic Conference each year to determine its football champion. The game pits the champion of the Eastern Division against the champion of the Western Division in a game...
. Cole is finishing his 3rd season at TSU with a record of 19-16 with the Tigers. He is 34-32 in his 6th season as head coach for his career.
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 educational, TSU athletic, cultural and social programs to a primarily listening area within a 10 miles (16.1 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 70's, 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.Notable Alumni
External links
- www.tsu.edu -- Official web site
- www.tsulaw.edu -- Official Thurgood Marshall School of Law Web Site
- www.tsuball.com -- athletics web site
- www.tsunaa.com -- Official National Alumni Association web site