North Carolina A&T State University facts for kids

North Carolina A&T State University

Former name	Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race (1891–1915) Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (1915–1957) Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (1957–1967)
Motto	Mens et Manus (Latin)
Motto in English	"Mind and Hand"
Type	Public historically black land-grant research university
Established	March 9, 1891; 134 years ago (1891-03-09)
Parent institution	University of North Carolina
Accreditation	SACS
Academic affiliations	ORAU TMCF
Endowment	$178 million (2022)
Chancellor	Harold L. Martin Sr.
Provost	Tonya Smith-Jackson
Academic staff	759
Students	13,560 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates	1,726 (Fall 2022)
Location	Greensboro , North Carolina , United States 36°04′31″N 79°46′25″W / 36.075352°N 79.773628°W / 36.075352; -79.773628
Campus	Large city, 200 acre (0.8 km2) main campus, 492 acre (1.99 km2) agricultural campus
Newspaper	The A&T Register
Colors	Blue and gold
Nickname	Aggies
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FCS – CAA MEAC
Mascot	Aggie the Bulldog

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (often called North Carolina A&T or A&T) is a public university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It's a special kind of school called a historically black college or university (HBCU). It's also a land-grant university, which means it gets federal support to teach practical subjects like agriculture and engineering.

A&T was started on March 9, 1891. Back then, it was called the Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race. It was the second college created under a law called the Morrill Act of 1890. This law helped set up colleges that focused on agriculture and mechanical arts. A&T was the first college for people of color in North Carolina.

Today, North Carolina A&T is the largest HBCU in the United States. It has over 13,000 students! The university is famous for its engineering programs. It graduates more Black engineers than any other school in the country. It also leads in graduating African Americans in agriculture. A&T offers many different study programs, from bachelor's to doctoral degrees.

The university's students and sports teams are known as the "Aggies". Their teams play in NCAA Division I. They have a strong history in football, basketball, and track and field.

A Look Back at History

How A&T Began

John O. Crosby, A&T's first president (1892–1896)

North Carolina A&T started because of a law passed in 1890. This law said that states either had to allow all races into their colleges or create separate colleges for people of color. North Carolina chose to create a new college for African Americans.

On March 9, 1891, the Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race was officially created. It first opened in Raleigh as part of Shaw University. The main goal was to teach practical farming and mechanical skills. It also taught English and math. The college started with just four teachers and 37 students.

In 1892, the college moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. Local people donated land and money to help it move. John Oliver Crosby became the first president.

An early image of students learning to make butter.

At first, both men and women could attend. But in 1901, only men were allowed. This rule changed back in 1928, letting women attend again. The first students graduated in 1899. In 1915, the college's name changed to Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.

Growing and Changing

The College Building, built in 1893, was one of the first buildings. It was destroyed by fire in 1930.

In 1925, Ferdinand D. Bluford became the third president. The college joined a sports league called the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The school's alumni association was also created. In 1939, A&T was allowed to offer master's degrees. The first master's degree was given out two years later.

Noble Hall, originally the Agricultural Building, now houses the School of Nursing.

The college grew in size during the 1940s and 1950s. More land was added to the campus. In 1953, the School of Nursing was started. In 1957, the college changed its name again to the "Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina." That same year, the first white student was admitted.

A Time of Change and Protest

On February 1, 1960, four freshmen from A&T helped start the Civil Rights Movement in the South. Their names were Ezell Blair Jr., Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and David Richmond. They sat down at a lunch counter in a Woolworth's store that only served white customers. They asked for equal service. This brave act became known as the Greensboro sit-ins. Many other students joined them. Their actions helped lead to big changes in public places. These four students are now known as the A&T Four.

In 1967, the college was named a "regional university." Its name changed to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

A&T Student Eddie Evans being taken into protective custody after members of the North Carolina National Guard raid W. Kerr Scott Hall.

In 1969, there was a difficult time with protests involving A&T students and students from a nearby high school. This event, called the 1969 Greensboro uprising, lasted several days. It started because of unfairness at the high school. A&T students supported the high school protest. The situation became tense, leading to the National Guard coming to campus. The protests ended after the National Guard entered a student dormitory.

Modern Era: 1970s to Today

In 1971, all 16 public universities in North Carolina joined the University of North Carolina system. A&T became part of this system. Lewis C. Dowdy became the university's first chancellor.

In 2003, A&T teamed up with UNC Greensboro to create a Joint Millennial Campus. This campus focuses on helping the local economy grow. In 2008, A&T received a large grant from the National Science Foundation for an Engineering Research Center. This was the first time an HBCU led such a center.

In 2009, Harold L. Martin, Sr. became the 12th chancellor. He was the first A&T graduate to lead the university. Under his leadership, A&T started a plan called "A&T Preeminence 2020." This plan aimed to grow the university in many ways. Because of this plan, A&T became the largest HBCU in the nation in 2014. It has held that position ever since.

In 2020, MacKenzie Scott made a huge donation of $45 million to North Carolina A&T. This was the largest single gift in the university's history.

Exploring the Campus

The Deese Clock Tower is named for alumni Willie A. and Carrol C. Deese.

North Carolina A&T's main campus is called "Aggieland." It's located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The campus started with 14 acres in 1893. Today, the main campus is over 200 acres. It has 123 buildings, including academic halls, student homes, and sports facilities. There's also a large working farm and two research parks.

A part of the campus is a historic district. It has five old buildings that show the university's long history.

A&T has been adding new buildings as more students join. A new Student Center was built, offering places for student groups, dining, and fun. A large Engineering Research and Innovation Complex is also being built to help the College of Engineering.

University Art Galleries

The James B. Dudley Memorial Building houses the university art galleries.

The University Galleries are located in the James B. Dudley Memorial Building. They have two main collections: the Mattye Reed African Heritage and the H. Clinton Taylor Collections.

The Reed African Heritage Collection started in the late 1960s. It has about 3,500 items of art and crafts from over 35 African and Caribbean countries. The Taylor Collection shows art by African-American artists. It also displays work by A&T students and teachers.

Being Green: Sustainability Efforts

A&T is working hard to be environmentally friendly. Since 2003, the university has cut its energy use by 21 percent. This has saved a lot of money and energy. They've done this by:

• Checking buildings for ways to save energy.
• Using energy-efficient lighting.
• Developing green network strategies.

The university is also building "green" buildings. These buildings use sustainable practices to reduce their impact on the environment. For example, the Proctor School of Education Building has a green roof. The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) building is certified as a LEED Gold level building. A&T's new student health center is also a LEED silver level certified green facility.

Because of these efforts, A&T was ranked 10th globally in a university sustainability ranking in 2013.

How A&T is Organized

North Carolina A&T is one of 16 public universities in the University of North Carolina System. This system is led by a Board of Governors and a president.

The Chancellor

NC A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin

Each university in the UNC System has a chancellor. The chancellor is like the head of the school. The current chancellor of A&T is Harold L. Martin Sr.. He became chancellor in 2009. He is the first A&T graduate to hold this important job.

Board of Trustees

A&T also has its own board of trustees. This board helps guide the university. It includes members chosen by the state and by the governor. The student body president is also a member.

Academics and Learning

North Carolina A&T is known for its strong academic programs. It is a top school for African American engineers. It also leads in graduating African American women engineers. A&T is also well-known for its agriculture programs. Its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is the largest among HBCUs.

A&T has a special Honors College for students who do very well in school. These students get extra opportunities and benefits.

In 2018, A&T had over 10,000 undergraduate students and over 1,500 graduate students. The university gives out many degrees each year.

Colleges and Schools

McNair Hall, named for A&T alumnus Ronald McNair, houses the College of Engineering.

A&T offers many different degree programs. These programs are offered through its nine colleges and schools. Some of the main colleges include:

• College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• College of Health and Human Sciences
• College of Science and Technology

In 2020, the College of Business and Economics was named after Willie A. Deese. He is a successful alumnus and supporter of the university.

University Rankings

A&T is highly ranked among universities. U.S. News & World Report ranked it as the 6th best historically black university in the nation in 2020. It was also ranked among the top "national universities."

Money Magazine ranked A&T No. 3 for highest early career earnings among UNC System schools. The Wall Street Journal also recognized A&T for combining research and teaching.

Getting into A&T

Getting into North Carolina A&T is "more selective." This means it's a bit harder to get in. For the Fall 2022 semester, over 30,000 students applied! The university has a rolling admissions program. This means they accept applications and admit students on an ongoing basis. Students who get in usually have a good GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

Research and Discoveries

A&T is a university with "High research activity." This means they do a lot of important research. In 2018, the university conducted over $64 million in research. Most of this funding came from federal agencies.

As a land-grant university, A&T focuses its research on many areas. These include:

• Aerospace and transportation
• Biomedical research
• Biotechnology
• Computer science
• Energy and environment
• Food science
• Human health
• Nanotechnology

The university has 20 research centers and institutes. They work with government groups like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation. These partnerships help A&T do cutting-edge research.

Student Life at A&T

North Carolina A&T has a diverse student body. About 75% of students are from North Carolina. Most students are African American, but the university is working to increase diversity.

Where Students Live

About 40% of students live in university housing. This includes residence halls, apartments, and special living communities. Most residence halls are for both male and female students.

The newest residence halls are called The Aggie Village. They were built in 2005. Each building in The Aggie Village is named after one of the A&T Four students who started the sit-ins.

Student Government

The Student Government Association (SGA) is run by students. It represents the undergraduate students at A&T. The SGA helps make decisions and supports student activities.

Clubs and Activities

The Blue and Gold Marching Machine at the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

There are over 120 student organizations at A&T! These include:

• Honor societies
• Clubs for different academic subjects
• Social clubs
• Performance groups
• Fraternities and sororities

The Blue and Gold Marching Machine is the university's famous marching band. It has over 200 members. The band has performed at big events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Campus Media

The A&T Register is the student newspaper. It's published online and in print. Students also run the campus radio station, WNAA 90.1 FM. It broadcasts 24 hours a day and reaches a wide area. Students in the Journalism and Mass Communication department also manage a multimedia news platform and a TV studio.

Greek Life

A&T has a Greek system with fraternities and sororities. These groups are focused on brotherhood, sisterhood, service, and academics. They include all nine of the historically African American National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations.

Special Events

A&T has many fun traditions and events throughout the year:

• Founders' Day: Celebrated in early March, this day remembers when the university was founded.
• Homecoming: This is a huge week-long celebration in October. It includes a football game, tailgating, concerts, a parade, and the crowning of Mister and Miss North Carolina A&T. It's known as the "Greatest Homecoming on Earth" (GHOE)!
• Commencement: Graduation ceremonies happen in December and May. Many important people have spoken at A&T's graduations, including former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Sports and Athletics

North Carolina A&T has 17 varsity sports teams. They are called the Aggies. Their mascot is a bulldog. The teams play in NCAA Division I.

The Aggies have won many championships in their history.

• The men's basketball team has won 16 conference championships. In 2013, they won their first Division I post-season game.
• The women's basketball team has also had great success.
• The football team has won many conference championships and four national championships.
• The track and field teams have produced many champions and All-Americans. Some A&T athletes have even competed in the Olympics!

A&T has a big rivalry with North Carolina Central University. Their sports teams compete fiercely against each other.

High School Programs

A&T also hosts two special high school programs on its campus:

STEM Early College

The STEM Early College at NC A&T State University is a highly-ranked high school. It has about 200 students. Students can earn a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit from A&T.

A&T Four Middle College

The A&T Four Middle College is an all-boys high school program. It also has about 200 students. This program helps young men build confidence and look forward to a bright future. Students can take college classes while finishing high school.

Both programs are competitive to get into. They allow high school students to use A&T's amazing facilities.

Famous Aggies

Ronald McNair, class of 1971, physicist and NASA astronaut.

North Carolina A&T has over 55,000 alumni (graduates)! Many of them have become very successful.

• Ronald McNair: A NASA astronaut who graduated in 1971. He sadly passed away in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion.
• Clara Leach Adams-Ender: A pioneer in nursing and the first African American Nurse Corps officer to graduate from the U.S. Army War College.
• Harold L. Martin, Sr.: The current chancellor of A&T and the first alumnus to lead the university.
• Michael S. Regan: The first Black man to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Alma Adams: A six-term U.S. Congresswoman.
• Rev. Jesse Jackson: A famous civil rights leader.
• The A&T Four: Ezell Blair Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond. Their brave sit-in demonstrations helped change civil rights laws across the country.
• Janice Bryant Howroyd: Founder and CEO of the ACT-1 Group, a huge human resources company.
• Willie A. Deese: A successful pharmaceutical executive. The Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics is named after him.
• Terrence J: A well-known film and television producer, actor, and host.
• Kevin Wilson Jr.: An Oscar-nominated filmmaker.
• Al Attles: One of the first African American professional basketball coaches in the NBA.
• Elvin Bethea: An NFL Hall of Fame inductee.
• Brad Holmes: The General Manager of the Detroit Lions football team.