Kentucky State University, one of the state’s two accredited HBCUs, has a long and storied history. The first permanent building on the campus, Jackson Hall, appears on the National Register. Directly in front of the Jackson Hall is a historic marker with an overview of the university’s founding: Kentucky State University chartered in 1886; opened in 1887 with three teachers and 55 students. The first state-supported institution of higher education for Africans, Kentucky State U. gained funds from legislature for building and teachers, and from Frankfort city council for site and clearing of grounds. Ky State earned four-year college status in 1931, and achieved university status in 1972.

As the public university in the state’s capital, Kentucky State University attracts a large number of government employees. Subsequently, the Ky State U educates a higher proportion of adult learners (students aged 25 and older) and European Americans than most HBCU. Walking on campus, however, KySU student life closely resembles the activities I have seen at other HBCU.

Located between the two largest cities in Kentucky, Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky State University attracts students from the state’s urban centers as well as the Bluegrass state’s “hills and hollows.”  Students appear really involved and engaged around campus, during my visit I saw campaign signs for student government positions and student organizations hosting cookouts.

Kentucky State University: enter to learn go out to serve.

Awesome campus. The first time I’ve ever known an HBCU to be older than its host city. The only residential Black campus I know to transition all of its residence halls to apartment-style living centers.
Nice experience, nice campus, nice students.

Texas Southern University, the pride of Houston’s third ward.

Established humbly as Houston’s Colored Junior College, rapidly expanded in light of the 1947 Sweatt court case, and sustained by pure grit, Texas Southern University has a rich history. Texas Southern University, one of only two public HBCUs in the state, has grown from a community college to a doctoral level, 4-year university in a matter of decades. Boasting Barbara Jordan as their most famous alum, scores of graduates from Texas Southern have gone on to make an impact on Houston, the state of Texas, and the American southwest.

Texas Southern University’s 150 acre campus hosts the instruction and services for over 9,600 students.  Texas Southern consists of 11 academic schools and colleges.  The Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern, is one of only five historically Black law schools in the country.

Touring Texas Southern was exciting, a stroll down Tiger Walk winds through the entirety of campus. Tiger Walk is lined with most of the major campus buildings, the Yard, sculptures, a clock tower, and historic markers. The main library, next door to the campus theater building, is home to two annual exhibits, one dedicated to Barbara Jordan and the other celebrating art in Africa.

The film and communications department was particularly active during my weekend visit. While on campus, I witnessed the students filming a meeting. I spoke with a member of the crew about previous movies the film students have made and the movie posters lining the walls of the department.  Next door in Hannah Hall, decades-old murals created by art students adorned the halls. The campus seemed warm and celebrated student creativity: a feeling directly reflected in the attitudes of the students I met.