128th Anniversary - A Brief Historical Overview

ANUARY J 9, 1894

On Tuesday , January 9 , 1894 , aimed to utilize education as an equalizer , a group of ministers affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal ( CME ) Church founded Texas College . This founding represented the start of the educational process for a group of disenfranchised individuals in the area of east Texas , City of Tyler . The endeavor to found Texas College was the first of its kind in Tyler , which laid the foundation for higher education in the city . Founded in a four - room frame house on the same grounds as Texas College stands today , the landscape was considerably different . Lacking the accessibility conveniences such as Grand Avenue that exists today , students nonetheless commuted from all over East Texas and beyond to receive their education at Texas College . The College began with just six students .