130th Anniversary - A Brief Historical Overview

A BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW IN COMMEMORATION OF TEXAS COLLEGE'S 130TH YEAR

GIVE THE PEOPLE LIGHT AND THEY WILL FIND THEIR WAY T E X A S C O L L E G E M O T T O

J ANUARY 9 , 2 0 2 4

Tuesday, January 9, 2024, marks a signi f icant mi lestone not only for Texas Col lege, but for al l who have exper ienced the empowerment that the campus provides to those who step foot on the hal lowed grounds . January 9, 2024, of f icial ly serves as the 130th Anniversary of Texas Col lege' s founding in 1894 by a group of ministers from the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now the Chr ist ian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) . This landmark achievement does not merely serve as one of longevi ty, but profoundly, and proudly, extends i tsel f to a ceaseless and unwaver ing commi tment to service. As the oldest inst i tut ion of higher educat ion in the Ci ty of Tyler , Texas Col lege laid the foundat ion for post-secondary educat ion for the ci ty, serving as a beacon of hope and opportuni ty for those who yearned for an educat ion and a better l i fe. This celebrat ion of 130 years not only symbol izes , but embodies the spi r i t of resi l ience, perseverance, dedicat ion, and most important ly the placement of fai th and trust in God' s inf ini te wisdom. For wi thout God' s abundant and cont inuous blessings , Texas Col lege would not be as i t stands today. And, as i t stands today, in al l of i ts r ich and histor ic beauty, Texas Col lege maintains i ts unique posi t ioning to provide students an unmatched comprehensive educat ional exper ience in an envi ronment that fosters intel lectual , spi r i tual , ethical , moral , and social development . This unparal leled exper ience and educat ion af forded by the campus culminates and propels graduates into l i fe- long learning, leadership, service, and success , just as i t has for the past 130 years . As the inst i tut ion commemorates the moment ' s signi f icance, Texas Col lege embraces the 130th year wi th determinat ion. Resolutely, Texas Col lege asserts i ts dedicat ion to perpetuat ing and advancing the legacy to heights unforeseen into the next 130 years and beyond, cont inuing to give the people l ight to f ind thei r way.

JANUARY 9, 1894

On Tuesday, January 9, 1894, aimed to utilize education as an equalizer, a group of ministers affiliated with the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), 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.

F I R S T S T U D E N T S E N R O L L E D

JOSIE JONES TYLER, TEXAS SANDY MCKINNEY SWAN, TEXAS WILLIAM ANDERSON REDWINE

HENDERSON, TEXAS MALINDA FRANCIS TYLER, TEXAS T. K. PRICE DENVER, COLORADO

R. K. PRICE TYLER, TEXAS

Interest in Texas College would grow quickly though. By the end of the of the first year, which initially began with just six students, Texas College's population would increase exponentially with over 100 students enrolled. The majority of these students would hail from the eastern region of Texas. The College's enrollment would continue to steadily increase.

The Charter as or iginal ly issued July 1 , 1907, indicates that the name of the corporat ion was establ i shed as "Texas Col lege, "wi th the purpose of an educat ional inst i tut ion des igned to operate under the supervis ion care and ownership of the Chr i st ian Methodi st Episcopal Church in Amer ica.

The exclus ive educat ional di rect ion was to include the educat ion of youths , male and female, in al l branches of a l i terary , scient i f ic and class ical educat ion wherein [al l ] shal l be taught theology , normal training of teachers , mus ic, commercial and industr ial training, and agr icul tural and mechanical sciences .

On June 12, 1909, the name of the Col lege was changed f rom Texas Col lege to Phi l l ips Univers i ty . The noted change was associated wi th Bi shop Henry Phi l l ips , as a resul t of hi s leadership and educat ional interests for mankind. The name change was short l ived and reportedly lasted unt i l act ions for a name reversal occurred in 1910 at the Thi rd Annual Conference of the church. On May 1912 the Col lege was of f icial ly renamed Texas Col lege.

The subsequent years of the Col lege were spent wi th ref inements and enhancements of the educat ional enterpr i se. The Art icles of Incorporat ion ref lect such ef forts wi th modi f icat ions and amendments dur ing per iods 1909 to 1966.

"WE BELIEVE THAT WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS."

Today, the College complies with its founding principles in that she remains open to all individuals without discrimination on the grounds of national origin, race, religion, or sex . . . with the right to offer instruction in the areas of Arts and Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences preparation of teachers and the provision of instructional supports, to those in pursuit of an education.

MISSION STATEMENT Texas College is a Historically Black College founded in 1894, by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME). Our mission continues to embody the principles of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The College shall prepare students with competencies in critical and creative thinking related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in areas of study. Additionally, the College shall provide an environment to inspire intellectual , spiritual , ethical , moral , and social development, which empowers graduates to engage in life-long learning, leadership, and service.

CORE VALUES To address the mission, the College incorporates the Core Values listed below: Academic Excellence - developing a culture of curiosity and creativity that will challenge the frontiers of teaching/learning; stimulate research; raise the level of analytical reasoning and inquiry; and enable students to acquire leadership, human relations, communication, and technology skills. Integrity - instilling the pursuit of character, honesty, and sincerity of purpose as the moral rubrics upon which the behaviors of our graduates and College family are anchored. Perseverance - implanting diligence, enterprise, and pride in the application of skills, knowledge, and abilities developed during the course of study at Texas College. Social Responsibility - promoting in the College community a conscious awareness that we are all stewards of the resources entrusted to our care. Tolerance - emphasizing openness to divergent points of view, applying an eclectic approach to rational and analytical thinking. Community Service - encouraging self-extension in service to others as the heart and soul of our educational enterprise.

VISION STATEMENT Texas College - a creative, culturally diverse, inclusive environment, preparing students who aspire to be purpose-driven, financially secure and marketable leaders.

T.C., T.C., GOD BLESS YOUR HEART TO MY T.C. THAT I LOVE SO TRUE, MY LOVE FOR YOU WILL FOREVER BE TRUE,

TO MY T.C., THAT I LOVE SO TRUE. T E X A S C O L L E G E A L M A M A T E R