LeMoyne–Owen College facts for kids
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Former names
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LeMoyne College Owen College |
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| Motto | "Gubernatio. Opportunitas. Inclino." |
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Motto in English
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"Leadership. Opportunity. Change." |
| Type | Private, HBCU |
| Established | 1968 LeMoyne College – 1871 Owen College – 1947 |
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Religious affiliation
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United Church of Christ |
| Endowment | $52 million (2020) |
| President | Christopher B. Davis (interim) |
| Students | 609 (Fall 2022) |
| Location |
,
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United States
35°07′18″N 90°02′06″W / 35.12175°N 90.03495°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Purple and Gold |
| Nickname | LOC |
| Mascot | The Magicians |
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LeMoyne–Owen College, often called LOC, is a private college in Memphis, Tennessee. It's a special kind of school known as a historically black college (HBCU). It joined with the United Church of Christ and was formed in 1968 when two older colleges merged. These colleges were started by groups from the northern United States during and after the American Civil War.
Contents
History of LeMoyne–Owen College
Early Beginnings of LeMoyne School
The LeMoyne Normal and Commercial School started in 1862. The American Missionary Association (AMA) sent a teacher named Lucinda Humphrey to open a school. This school was for formerly enslaved people and free Black people. It was located at Camp Shiloh in Tennessee. The AMA was a group with both Black and white leaders. They started many schools like this one.
The school opened after Federal troops took over Memphis during the American Civil War. It was first called Lincoln Chapel. In 1863, it moved into Memphis. Sadly, in 1866, the school was destroyed during riots after the troops left.
The school was rebuilt and reopened in 1867. It had 150 students and six teachers. In 1870, a doctor named Francis Julius LeMoyne from Pennsylvania gave $20,000 to the AMA. This money was for a new school to train future teachers. LeMoyne was a famous abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. He even visited the new school and gave a clock for its tower. In 1871, the school opened in a new building and was named LeMoyne Normal and Commercial School.
A serious yellow fever sickness spread in Memphis in 1873. Many school staff members became ill.
Under the third principal, Andrew J. Steele, the school grew for 30 years.
Growth and Mergers
In 1914, the school moved to its current location on Walker Avenue. Steele Hall, the first building on the new campus, was built that same year. LeMoyne became a junior college in 1924. This means it offered two years of college education. By 1930, it became a four-year college. The State of Tennessee officially recognized LeMoyne College four years later. Steele Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The main part of the college's campus was also listed in 2005.
Owen College started as a junior college in 1947. The Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention bought land for it. S. A. Owen Junior College opened there in 1954.
LeMoyne College and Owen College joined together in 1968. This created LeMoyne–Owen College. Both were private, historically Black colleges connected to churches.
Recent Developments and Support
In 2007, LeMoyne-Owen faced problems with its management and money. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools put the college on probation for two years. This meant they had to improve. In August 2007, the City of Memphis promised $3 million to help the college open for the fall semester. Other groups like the United Negro College Fund and the United Church of Christ also gave money. The college's president, Johnnie B. Watson, said the college kept its accreditation. By 2014, its special fund (endowment) grew to $20 million.
In July 2020, LeMoyne-Owen College received its largest gift ever. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis pledged $40 million. This huge gift made the college's endowment four times bigger. The college's president said this gift would change everything the college could do. The Community Foundation plans to give about $2 million each year.
Campus Buildings and History
The LeMoyne College Historic District is a special area on campus. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. This district includes four important buildings and the campus quadrangle (a grassy area) from 1936.
It includes Steele Hall, built in 1914. This is the oldest building on the campus. It was designed by Tandy & Foster. The district also has Brownlee and Sweeney halls. These were designed by George Awsumb in 1936. Sweeney Hall was named after Frank J. Sweeney, who was college president from 1929 to 1942. It used to be the president's home.
The Hollis F. Price Library was built in 1963. It has a modern design and is named after Hollis F. Price. He was college president from 1943 to 1970.
College Sports: The Magicians
The college's sports teams are called the Magicians. They play in NCAA Division II in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). LeMoyne–Owen College has men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and tennis. They also have women's teams for softball, basketball, cross country, volleyball, and tennis. Men's volleyball was added for the 2025 season.
In 1975, the LeMoyne–Owen College men's basketball team won the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship. At that time, the school was in Division III. LeMoyne-Owen is the only historically Black college to win a national championship at that level.
A LeMoyne–Owen College golfer named Dominique Worthen achieved a special record. He was the first player in SIAC history to win multiple awards in one week. He won the SIAC Player of the Year, made the All-Conference Team, and won the SIAC Conference Championship MVP award. He also won the 2015 PGA Minority Collegiate Championship.
Notable Alumni
Many talented people have graduated from LeMoyne–Owen College. Here are a few:
- Lloyd Barbee (graduated 1949) was a politician and civil rights activist in Wisconsin.
- Marion Barry (graduated 1958) was a former mayor of Washington, DC.
- Annie Marie Watkins Garraway (graduated 1958) is a mathematician who worked with telecommunications.
- W. W. Herenton was a former mayor of Memphis, Tennessee.
- Benjamin Hooks (graduated 1943) was a former leader of the NAACP, a major civil rights organization.
- Larry Robinson is the current President of Florida A&M University.
College Presidents
Here are some of the people who have served as president of LeMoyne–Owen College:
- Johnnie B. Watson
- Andrea Lewis Miller (2015–2019) was the first female president and the second alumnus (former student) to hold the role.
- Carol Johnson-Dean (2019–2021) was an interim president.
- Vernell Bennett-Fairs
See also
