Prairie View A&M University: A Legacy of Education and Opportunity

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), a public historically black land-grant university in Prairie View, Texas, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and impact of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Founded in 1876, during the Reconstruction era, it was established to provide higher education opportunities for African Americans in Texas, a significant step in an era marked by profound racial segregation and inequality. Over the years, Prairie View A&M has evolved into a comprehensive institution, offering a wide range of academic programs and contributing significantly to the educational, economic, and cultural life of Texas and beyond.

Historical Overview

Prairie View A&M University is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state of Texas. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest public HBCU in Texas. The university was established as Alta Vista Agriculture & Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth. The Sixteenth Legislature April 19, 1879 by Article 7 of the Texas Constitution of 1876, created near the end of the Reconstruction Era after the American Civil War. In that year, State Senator Matthew Gaines, State Senator Walter Moses Burton, and State Representative William H. Holland - all former slaves who became leading political figures - crafted legislation for the creation of a state-supported "Agricultural and Mechanical" college.

The institution's name has evolved over time, reflecting its changing mission and scope. It was initially known as Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth (1876-1879), then Prairie View State Normal School (1879-1899), followed by Prairie View State Normal & Industrial College (1899-1945), Prairie View University (1945-1947), and Prairie View A&M College of Texas (1947-1973). In August 1973, the institution was finally named “Prairie View A&M University”.

In 1945, the name of the institution was changed from Prairie View Normal and Industrial College to Prairie View University, and the school was authorized to offer, "as need arises," all courses offered at the University of Texas. In 1983, the Texas Legislature proposed a constitutional amendment to restructure the Permanent University Fund (PUF) to include Prairie View A&M University as a beneficiary of its proceeds. The 1983 amendment also dedicated the university to more enhancements as an "institution of the first class" under the governing board of the Texas A&M University System. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights to establish Prairie View A&M University as an educational asset accessible by all Texans. The Priority Plan mandates creation of many new educational programs and facilities. In 2021, Prairie View A&M attained the R2 Carnegie Classification (Doctoral University; High Research Activity).

Commitment to Open Access

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY is a historically black college/university that, since its inception in 1876, has opened its doors to any and every person - inside and outside of Texas - seeking a first-class, four-year university experience.

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Academic Programs and Enrollment

Today, Prairie View A&M University boasts an enrollment of 9,056 students and offers a diverse array of academic programs, including popular majors in Business, Engineering, Agriculture, and Health Sciences. These programs reflect the university's commitment to producing well-rounded, skilled graduates ready to contribute productively to society, encapsulated in its motto: "Prairie View Produces Productive People." PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master's degrees and four doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and the School of Architecture. PVAMU is the largest HBCU in the state of Texas and the third largest HBCU in the United States. In spring 2022, the university enrolled 7,624 undergraduate students and 889 graduate students. 67% of students identify as female and 33% male. 88% of students are Texas residents. Outside Texas, the top three states of origin for students were California (131), Louisiana (130), and Illinois (62).

The university comprises several colleges and schools, including the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, the College of Juvenile Justice, the College of Nursing, the School of Architecture, and the School of Public and Allied Health. Additionally, it houses a Continuing Education center, a Center for Instructional Innovation and Technology Services, a Graduate School, an Honors Program, and an Institutional Research and Effectiveness department. The John B. Coleman Library serves as the main library on campus.

Athletics

Athletically, the university competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), with its teams known as the Panthers. The university's colors, purple and gold, symbolize its regal and proud heritage. Prairie View A&M fields 18 intercollegiate sports team, commonly known by their Prairie View A&M Panthers nickname. Prairie View A&M competes in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Men's and women's athletic teams are nicknamed the Panthers and the team colors are purple and gold. Prairie View A&M is a charter member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and is a member of the West Division. All home basketball games are held in the William Nicks Building which was built in the early 1960s. Prior to a double header against the Texas Southern Tigers, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the renovated baseball stadium on April 26, 2014. Along with the opening, the stadium was formally dedicated to former Panthers baseball coach, John W. Tankersley. The renovated stadium features seating for 512 including 192 chair backed seats, new concession stand, new restrooms, press box, and bricked dugouts. In summer 2016, Prairie View A&M completed the first phase of construction on its $60 million football stadium and athletic field house. The state-of-the-art facility is 55,000 square feet and holds up to 15,000 people. The final phase of construction will increase capacity to 30,000 people. In fall 2018, Aaron "General" Walker donated $25 million to Panther stadium.

Campus Life and Resources

Prairie View A&M has over 50 buildings on its 1,440-acre (5.8 km2) main campus in Prairie View, Texas which is 48.8 miles (78.5 km) northwest of Downtown Houston. The campus is often referred to as "The Hill" because it rests on a hill in the region. Prairie View A&M has two smaller branch campuses in Houston with the Northwest Houston Center and the College of Nursing in the Texas Medical Center. The John B. Coleman Library is the main library on campus. It is a five-story, 150,000 square foot building completed in 1988. The library provides several services to assist students and is home to over 370,000 Volumes, including over 700 print periodicals, and close to 4,000 media materials. PVAMU is home to over 150 honorary, professional, special interest, and Greek organizations established on campus.

In 1998, American Campus Communities (ACC) was awarded the contract to develop, build, and manage a student housing property at PVAMU. Both student residence housing properties at PVAMU are owned and operated by ACC. Freshmen students on campus may reside in the University College community. Upperclassmen may live in apartment style living in University Village (phases I, II, III, VI, and VII). The first of these apartment buildings was built in 1995. Previous buildings that formerly housed students include Alexander Hall, Banks Hall, Buchanan Hall, Collins Hall, Drew Hall, L. O. Evans Hall, Fuller Hall, Holley Hall, and Suarez Hall. Suarez Hall was already closed in 1996. In 1997 Alexander Hall, Buchanan Hall, and Collins Hall had closed. In 1998 Holley Hall had closed. In 2000 Drew Hall, Evans Hall, and Fuller Hall had closed. During the same year, Alexander, Buchanan, and Holley had been demolished.

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The Marching Storm

Prairie View A&M's marching band is officially known as the Marching Storm and has close to 300 active members. The Marching Storm has performed at numerous high-profile events, including presidential inaugurations, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Honda Battle of the Bands, the Houston Rodeo, the grand opening of the NRG Stadium, and at a 2004 Dallas Cowboys game with Destiny's Child.

Trail Ride Association

Every year since 1957, the Prairie View Trail Ride Association have done a trail ride from Hempstead, Texas, to Houston to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Notable Alumni

Prairie View A&M University has produced a multitude of successful individuals across various fields. Some notable alumni include:

Lawrence Allen, Jr.: Member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County from 1977 to 1981.
Sebastian Barrie: Professional football player.
Clora Bryant: Jazz trumpeter and vocalist.
J. Don Boney: Past President of the University of Houston-Downtown.
Willie Thrower: First African-American quarterback in the NFL.
Kirko Bangz: Rapper.
Tony Russell Brown: Educator and historian.
Emanuel Cleaver II: U.S. Representative for Missouri's 5th congressional district.
Cecil Cooper: Former Major League Baseball player and manager.
Clem Daniels: Former American Football League player.
Dorrough: Rapper.
Terry Ellis: Singer, member of the R&B group En Vogue.
Louis Edwin Fry Sr.: Architect.
Louise Daniel Hutchinson: Historian and museum curator.
Lenwood Johnson: Educator and civil rights activist.
Elijah Walter Miles: Educator and historian.
Jim Mitchell: Former NFL player.

Partnership with Texas A&M University System

Chancellor John Sharp has encouraged the Texas A&M System’s 11 universities and eight state agencies to work together on important projects. Healthy South Texas, a project that targets chronic diseases and is led by Texas A&M AgriLife, has lent its expertise to PVAMU to create a Healthy Houston equivalent. “The best opportunities, however, may arise from this partnership between Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M because they are both land-grant universities,” Sharp said. Texas A&M President Dr. M. Katherine Banks said, “Chancellor John Sharp is a powerful advocate for all of the Texas A&M System universities and had a strong vision for partnership between the two land-grant institutions. A&M and PVAMU were both established under the Morrill Land Grant Act. Texas A&M is the state’s oldest higher education institution, founded as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas by the state legislature in April 1871. When doors opened on Oct. 4, 1876, all of its students were white males and were required to participate in military training. In the 1960s, President Gen. James Earl Rudder made participation in the Corps of Cadets voluntary and opened the campus to everyone.

“We are weaving ourselves together, more so than in the past, and doing so with hope and optimism,” Palmer said. Palmer’s counterpart at Texas A&M is John T. Cooper Jr., assistant vice president in the Division of Academic and Strategic Collaborations. “This new partnership will leverage our collective resources and allow us to pursue our shared interests,” Cooper said of faculty and students at the two institutions. The partnership will engage students, faculty and researchers in socially responsible activities that address local, national or global problems. Another facet of the agreement will be shared community outreach, whereby research and service at both campuses can benefit local communities and the state at large.

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