The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas was established on August 14,1876.
150 Years of the Prairie View A&M University
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Prairie View A&M University, founded in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth, is the second oldest public institution of higher learning in Texas. It was established as a land-grant college to educate Black individuals in the post-Civil War era. Despite facing racial mistreatment and funding shortages, it survived and flourished, becoming an elite historically Black college and university (HBCU).

  • Prairie View has produced notable engineers, nurses, teachers, politicians, architects, and business and military leaders.
  • The university is recognized for its programs in engineering, arts, architecture, education, nursing, criminal justice, and science.
  • Alumni emphasize the quality of education and the dedication of faculty who ensured students’ success.
  • A Negro history course was implemented to educate students about Black history, as many lacked this knowledge.
  • Students were often required to major in education regardless of their primary field, ensuring job prospects. Practical skills, like writing checks and application letters, were also taught.
  • Segregation and Community: Students were aware of segregation and discrimination. The campus fostered a strong sense of community due to all students living in dormitories and limited reasons to leave campus.
  • Dormitories and Regulations: Dorms were segregated by gender, with strict curfews for women (e.g., 10:00 PM). Matrons like Miss Green were known for strictness and monitoring students.
  • Social Activities: Social life included movies in the gym, occasional dances, and social gatherings on the athletic field. Fraternities and sororities were outlawed; instead, social clubs provided similar community and competition.
  • Chapel Attendance: Chapel attendance was mandatory multiple times a week.
  • Athletics: Football was very popular, with strong teams that often won championships. Games were well-attended, and “Negro Day at the Fair” was a major event.
  • Many alumni described Prairie View as a place where they matured, gained independence, and developed self-reliance.
  • The environment encouraged students to excel based on their own merits, fostering leadership and personal growth.
  • The “spirit of Prairie View” and the camaraderie among students are frequently mentioned as significant aspects of their experience.
  • Alumni have carried the “spirit of Prairie View around the world”.
  • Graduates credit the university with preparing them for successful careers and leadership roles, including in fields like engineering and even in the United States Congress.
  • Early challenges included basic living conditions, such as no telephones or air conditioning in dorms or faculty housing.
  • The student population grew significantly over time, from around 400 in 1932 to over 1200 by the time one alumnus graduated.
  • The university, once a small college struggling for recognition, has gained a worldwide reputation.