130th Anniversary - A Brief Historical Overview

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.