Huston–Tillotson University facts for kids
Huston-Tillotson University
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Former names
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Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute (1875–1952) Samuel Huston College (1876–1952) Huston–Tillotson College (1952–2005) |
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| Type | Private historically black university |
| Established | 1875 |
| Affiliation | UNCF |
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Religious affiliation
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United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ |
| Endowment | US$11.5 million |
| President | Melva K. Wallace |
| Provost | Archibald W. Vanderpuye |
| Students | 1,160 |
| Undergraduates | 968 |
| Postgraduates | 55 |
| Location |
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U.S.
30°15′53″N 97°43′21″W / 30.2648°N 97.7224°W |
| Campus | 24 acres (9.7 ha) |
| Colors | Maroon & gold |
| Nickname | Rams |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA – RRAC |
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Huston-Tillotson College
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| NRHP reference No. | 100007662 |
| Added to NRHP | April 22, 2022 |
Huston–Tillotson University (HT) is a private university in Austin, Texas. It is also a historically black university. The university started in 1875. It was the first place in Austin for higher education.
HT is connected with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ. It is also part of the United Negro College Fund. The university offers bachelor's degrees in many subjects. These include business, education, and science. It also offers a master's degree in educational leadership.
Contents
History of Huston–Tillotson
Huston–Tillotson University was formed in 1952. This happened when two older schools joined together. These schools were Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College.
Tillotson College: Early Years
Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute started in 1877. It was a school for both boys and girls. It opened its doors on January 17, 1881. The school was named after George Jeffrey Tillotson. From 1926 to 1935, Tillotson College was a school only for women.
Samuel Huston College: Its Beginning
Samuel Huston College began in 1876. It was started by a Methodist Episcopal group. The college was named after Samuel Huston from Iowa. It officially opened in the year 1900.
The Merger and New Name
On October 24, 1952, Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College merged. They became one school called Huston–Tillotson College. Later, on February 28, 2005, the school changed its name again. It became Huston–Tillotson University.
Jackie Robinson's Time at HT
Before the two colleges merged, a famous baseball player, Jackie Robinson, worked there. He was offered a job by Rev. Karl Downs, who was the president of Samuel Huston College. Robinson became the athletic director.
He coached the school's basketball team during the 1944–45 season. Not many students tried out for the team. Robinson even played in some exhibition games himself. He was known as a strict coach. Other players, like Marques Haynes (who later joined the Harlem Globetrotters), admired him.
Presidents of the University
Since 2022, Melva K. Williams has been the president of Huston–Tillotson University. Before her, Archibald W. Vanderpuye served as an interim president.
Academics and Learning
HTU offers different types of degrees. Students can earn undergraduate (bachelor's) and graduate (master's) degrees. These programs are offered through two main areas:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business and Technology
Honors Program
The W.E.B. Dubois Honors Program is a special program. It is for students who are very good at their studies. It gives them extra academic chances and activities.
Engineering Dual Degree
HTU has a special program with Prairie View A&M University. It is an engineering dual degree program. HTU students take their first courses on campus. Then, they transfer to Prairie View A&M to finish their engineering degree.
Students who complete this program get two degrees. They earn a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from HTU. They also get a Bachelor of Science in an engineering field from Prairie View A&M.
Campus Life and Location
Huston–Tillotson University's campus is in East Austin. It is on the land where Tillotson College used to be. This area was once known as Bluebonnet Hill. The campus is about 24-acre (9.7 ha) in size. It is located near I-35 and downtown Austin.
East Austin has been an important place for African-American culture. This is partly because of past segregation laws. These laws separated people based on race.
Many buildings on campus have names that show the university's history. Their names often use hyphens. This shows the importance of both colleges before they merged.
Anthony and Louise Viaer Alumni Hall
The Anthony and Louise Viaer Alumni Hall is a historic building. It used to be called the Old Administration Building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
Student Body Information
In the fall of 2015, the student body had more females than males. About 57% were female and 43% were male. Most students identified as Black (68%). About 22% identified as Hispanic. The rest were non-Hispanic White (6%) or other groups (4%).
Athletics and Sports
The sports teams at Huston–Tillotson are called the Rams. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They mostly play in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). They have been in this conference since 1998.
Before that, the Rams were a founding member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This was from 1920 to 1954. The SWAC is now a top-level NCAA Division I conference.
Huston–Tillotson has 12 different sports teams.
- Men's sports include baseball, basketball, soccer, and track & field.
- Women's sports include basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
- Co-ed sports are cheerleading and eSports.
Sports Facilities
The baseball team plays at a historic place called Downs Field. It is located at East 12th Street and Alexander Avenue.
Notable People from HTU
Many talented people have studied or worked at Huston–Tillotson University.
Faculty Members
- Mary Elizabeth Branch (1881-1944), a former president of the college.
Alumni (Former Students)
- Dr. Herman A. Barnett III, the first African-American to graduate from a Texas medical school. He was also the first to practice medicine in Texas.
- Bobby Bradford, a famous jazz trumpeter and composer.
- Dr. June H. Brewer, a long-time English professor at Huston–Tillotson. She was one of the first African Americans allowed into the University of Texas.
- Juanita Craft, a politician and important civil rights activist.
- Dr. Karl E. Downs, a minister and former president of Samuel Huston College.
- Maud A. B. Fuller, a leader in the Baptist church and an educator.
- Ron Givens, the first African-American Republican in the Texas House of Representatives since 1982.
- James A. Harris, a scientist who helped discover new chemical elements (104 and 105).
- Robert E. Hayes, a bishop in the United Methodist Church.
- Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, a retired pastor of a large church in Dallas.
- Joe Leonard Jr., who served as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Azie Taylor Morton, who was the Treasurer of the United States.
- Ahmed Johnson (born Anthony "Tony" Norris), a professional wrestler.
- Volma Overton, an activist during the Civil Rights Movement.
- Robert G. Stanton, a former National Director of the U.S. Park Service.
- Cecil Williams, a community leader and author.
- Joyce Yerwood, a doctor and advocate for social justice.
