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Former names | Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth (1876–1879) Prairie View State Normal School (1879–1899) Prairie View State Normal & Industrial College (1899–1945) Prairie View University (1945–1947) Prairie View A&M College of Texas (1947–1973)[1] |
|---|---|
| Motto | Prairie View Produces Productive People. |
| Type | Publichistorically blackland-grant university |
| Established | 1876 |
Parent institution | Texas A&M University System |
Academic affiliations | TMCF |
| Endowment | $148.5 million[2] |
| President | Tomikia P. LeGrande |
Academic staff | 486 full-time and 80 part-time[3] |
| Students | 10,085 (fall 2025)[4] |
| Location | , U.S. |
| Campus | Rural, 1,440 acres (5.8 km2) |
| Colors | Purple and gold[5] |
| Nickname | Panthers & Lady Panthers |
Sporting affiliations | NCAADivision I –SWAC |
| Mascot | Panther |
| Website | pvamu.edu |
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Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU orPV) is apublichistorically black (HBCU)land-grant university inPrairie View, Texas, United States. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest public HBCU in Texas[6] and the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state.[7] It 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. PVAMU is a member of theTexas A&M University System andThurgood Marshall College Fund.
Prairie View A&M fields 18 intercollegiate sports team, commonly known by theirPrairie View A&M Panthers nickname. Prairie View A&M competes inNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and theSouthwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Prairie View A&M is the only charter member remaining in the conference.
The university was established asAlta Vista Agriculture & Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth The Sixteenth Legislature April 19, 1879 by Article 7 of theTexas Constitution of 1876, created near the end of theReconstruction Era after theAmerican Civil War. In that year, State SenatorMatthew Gaines, State SenatorWalter Moses Burton, and State RepresentativeWilliam H. Holland – all former slaves who became leading political figures – crafted legislation for the creation of a state-supported "Agricultural and Mechanical" college. In the article, the constitution stated that "Separate schools shall be provided for the white and colored children, and impartial provisions shall be made for both." The legislation made Prairie A&M the first state supported institution of higher learning for African Americans in Texas.[8]
In an effort to comply with these constitutional provisions, theFifteenth Texas Legislature, consistent with terms of the federalMorrill Land-Grant Colleges Act – which provided public lands for the establishment of colleges – authorized the "Alta Vista Agriculture and Mechanical College for the Benefit of Colored Youth" as part of the Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas (nowTexas A&M University).[5] It was established on the former Alta Vista Plantation.[9]
In 1945, the name of the institution was changed fromPrairie View Normal and Industrial College toPrairie View University, and the school was authorized to offer, "as need arises," all courses offered at the University of Texas. In 1947, the Texas Legislature changed the name toPrairie View A&M College of Texas and provided that "courses be offered in agriculture, the mechanics arts, engineering, and the natural sciences connected therewith, together with any other courses authorized at Prairie View at the time of passage of this act, all of which shall be equivalent to those offered at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas at Bryan." And finally in 1973, the legislature changed the name of the institution toPrairie View Agricultural & Mechanical University (Prairie View A&M University).[10]
In 1983, the Texas Legislature proposed a constitutional amendment to restructure thePermanent 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. The constitutional amendment was approved by the voters on November 6, 1984.[11]
In 2000, the Governor of Texas signed the Priority Plan, an agreement with the U.S. 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. It also requires removing language from the Institutional Mission Statement which might give the impression of excluding any Texan from attending Prairie View A&M University.[12]
In December 2020, philanthropistMacKenzie Scott donated $50 million to Prairie View A&M which is the second largest single gift in its history.[13]
In 2021, Prairie View A&M attained the R2Carnegie Classification (Doctoral University; High Research Activity). Prairie View A&M is one of only 11 HBCUs to be granted R2 status and one of only four Texas A&M University System members in this category.[14][15]
In November 2025, MacKenzie Scott donated an additional $63 million to Prairie View A&M which is the largest single gift in its history.[16]
| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| U.S. News & World Report[17] | 395-435 |
| Washington Monthly[18] | 170 |
| WSJ/College Pulse[19] | 372 |
Prairie View A&M University offers academic programs through the following administrative units:
Prairie View A&M established the Texas Undergraduate Medical Academy (UMA) in 2004 which is a highly selective and rigorous pre-medical program designed to uniquely prepare academically talented undergraduates for success inmedical,dental,pharmacy, orveterinary school.[20] UMA began due to a Texas legislative mandate in 2003 and is state funded with a mission to increase minority representation in the medical field and redress statewide healthcare professional shortages.[21]
Prairie View A&M established a highly selectivehonors program for academically exceptional undergraduates who meet the specified criteria.[22]
Prairie View A&M is consistently recognized as one of the top institutions in the country for producing the highest number of African-American architects and engineers byDiverse Issues in Higher Education.[23][24]
Prairie View A&M annually awards the second mostSTEM degrees in the Texas A&M University System.[25]
Prairie View A&M academic programs are accredited by theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and each college within the university holds additional accreditation or certifications.[26]
For 2023,U.S. News & World Report ranked Prairie View A&M #331-440 in National Universities, #154 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie), #169-227 in Top Public Schools, #26 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (tie), #196-212 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and #293 in Nursing.[27]
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. The library is also home to an art gallery and a vast collection of historic and special archives.[28][29]
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 ofDowntown Houston.[30] The campus is often referred to as "The Hill" because it rests on a hill in the region. The campus is also often described as one of the most beautiful in Texas.[31][32][33]
Prairie View A&M has two smaller branch campuses inHouston with the Northwest Houston Center and the College of Nursing in theTexas Medical Center. The branch campuses offer several degree programs.[34][35]
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 85% | ||
| Hispanic | 7% | ||
| Two or more races | 3% | ||
| Asian | 1% | ||
| International student | 1% | ||
| Unknown | 1% | ||
| White | 1% | ||
| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income[a] | 64% | ||
| Affluent[b] | 36% | ||
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.[37] Outside Texas, the top three states of origin for students were California (131), Louisiana (130), and Illinois (62). Outside the U.S., the top three countries of origin for international students were Nigeria (62), Equatorial Guinea (25), and India (16).[38]
In 1998,American Campus Communities (ACC) was awarded the contract to develop, build, and manage a student housing property at PVAMU.[39] Both student residence housing properties at PVAMU are owned and operated by ACC.[40][41] Freshmen students on campus may reside in the University College community. Upperclassmen may live in apartment style living in University Village[42] (phases I, II, III, VI, and VII). The first of these apartment buildings was built in 1995. The University Square, completed in October 2017, is the newest student housing facility on campus with 466 beds available for juniors, seniors, and graduate students.[43]
About 50% of PVAMU undergraduate students live on campus.[44]
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. In 2001 Banks Hall had closed.[45]
PVAMU is home to over 150 honorary, professional, special interest, and Greek organizations established on campus. Since 1982, the Student Government Association (SGA) has been the highest ranking student organization on campus and official voice of the student body to the University Administration, as well as all internal and external organizations.[46][47]
Prairie View A&M University offers a wide variety of varsity and intramural sports programs.
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 theSouthwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and is a member of the West Division. Prairie View competes in NCAADivision I in all varsity sports; in football, the Panthers play in theDivision I FCS.
Prairie View's most notable rivals areTexas Southern University andGrambling State University.
Insummer 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. A statue is soon to be built.[48]
All home basketball games are held in theWilliam Nicks Building which was built in the early 1960s. The building has gonethrough several renovations since its inception and holds approximately 6,500 people.[49]
Prior to a double header against theTexas 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. The stadium is also Wi-Fi enabled.[50] The Panthers dedicated the stadium sweeping the double header winning 9–0 and 7–4.[51]
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Prairie View A&M's marching band is officially known as the Marching Storm and has close to 300 active members. Some of the band accomplishments include performing at theSuper Bowl XLV halftime show, theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a U.S. presidential inauguration, theTournament of Roses Parade, theHonda Battle of the Bands, theHouston Rodeo, the grand opening of theNRG Stadium, and at a 2004Dallas Cowboys game withDestiny's Child. The band made an appearance onMTV in 2011.[52][53][54] In 2022, the band starred in a TV docuseries entitled "March" onThe CW Network.[55] From 1984 to 2009 the marching band was directed byGeorge Edwards.[56]
The Black Foxes are the 15–25 member danceline that accompanies the band.[57]
The Twirling Thunder are the 20-25 membercolor guard that performs with the band.[58]
Every year since 1957, the Prairie View Trail Ride Association[59] have done atrail ride fromHempstead, Texas, to Houston to attend theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This ride contributes to keep alive the history and the continued existence ofBlack cowboys and cowgirls in Texas.[60]
 | This sectionmay containexcessive orirrelevant examples. Please helpimprove it by removingless pertinent examples andelaborating on existing ones.(November 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Name | Class year | Notability | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Archia | 1939 | Jazz Tenor Saxophonist | |
| Lawrence Allen Jr. | Former member of theTexas State Board of Education (2005–2023) | [61] | |
| Hise Austin | 1973 | Former NFL defensive back | |
| Sebastian Barrie | 1992 | Former NFL defensive tackle | [62] |
| Arthur Bryant | 1931 | Restaurateur. 2021 Inductee Barbecue Hall of Fame | |
| Clora Bryant | Jazz trumpeter | [63] | |
| Zelmo Beaty | 1962 | Professional andCollege Basketball Hall of Fame athlete who played in theNBA andABA from 1962 to 1975 | |
| Julius W. Becton, Jr. | 1960 | Lieutenant General US Army,Federal Emergency Management Agency Director, educator, and past president of PVAMU | |
| J. Don Boney | 1948 | First president of theUniversity of Houston–Downtown | [64] |
| Charlie Brackins | 1955 | One of the first African-American NFL quarterbacks | [65] |
| Kirko Bangz (real name Kirk Randle) | Attended | Hip-Hop artist | [66] |
| David L. Brewer III | 1970 | Retiredvice admiral of theUnited States Navy andsuperintendent of theLos Angeles Unified School District (2006–2008) | [67] |
| Charles Brown | 1942 | Blues recording artist and member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | [68] |
| Emanuel Cleaver | 1972 | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives for the5th district of Missouri since 2005 | [69] |
| Cecil Cooper | Attended | 5-timeMLBAll-Star who playedfirst baseman from 1971 to 1987,Houston Astros manager from 2007 to 2009 | [70] |
| Cynthia Cooper-Dyke | 2005 | FormerWNBA player, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, published author, and Head Coach of theUSC women's basketball team | |
| Clem Daniels | 1959 | Former NFLrunning back | [71] |
| Bertha Des Verney | Musician and educator in Harlem | [72] | |
| Dorrough (real name Dorwin Demarcus Dorrough) | Attended | Rapper | [73] |
| Terry Ellis | 1990 | Vocalist and member of female R&B groupEn Vogue | [74] |
| Louis Edwin Fry Sr. | 1922 | Architect and professor; former Chair of the School of Architecture atHoward University | [75] |
| Adrian Hamilton | 2012 | Linebacker for theBaltimore Ravens of the NFL since 2012 | |
| Ken Houston | 1966 | MemberPro Football Hall of Fame, 13-year career as strong safety withHouston Oilers andWashington Redskins | |
| Louise Daniel Hutchinson | Historian | [76] | |
| Lenwood Johnson | Activist for theFourth Ward, Houston andAllen Parkway Village | [77] | |
| Jim Kearney | 1964 | Defensive back in the NFL andAFL from 1965 to 1976 | |
| Kase Lawal | 1978 | Chairman & CEO ofErin Energy Corporation | |
| Loni Love | 1991 | Comedienne, actress, and co-host and producer ofThe Real | |
| Jermaine McGhee | 2007 | Former NFLdefensive end | |
| Sidney A. McPhee | 1976 | President ofMiddle Tennessee State University | |
| E. Walter Miles | 1955 | Political scientist and constitutional law scholar | [78] |
| Jim Mitchell | 1968 | Former NFLtight end | [79] |
| Thomas Monroe | 1990AFL Ironman of the Year | ||
| Frederick D. Patterson | Founder ofUnited Negro College Fund | ||
| Ervin Perry | 1956 | First African American faculty member at University of Texas at Austin and at a predominantly white university in the South | [80] |
| DJ Premier (real name Christopher Edward Martin) | Attended | Member ofGang Starr | [81] |
| Inez Beverly Prosser | 1913 | First African-American woman to receive a doctoral degree in psychology | [82] |
| Dewey Redman | Jazz saxophonist | ||
| Alvin Reed | 1966 | Former NFLtight end | [83] |
| Amber Chardae Robinson | 2012 | actress | |
| Clay Smothers | Member of theTexas House of Representatives fromDallas County from 1977 to 1981; operator of St. Paul Industrial Training School inMalakoff, Texas | [84] | |
| James H. Stewart | Member of theTexas House of Representatives fromRobertson County from 1885 to 1887 | [85] | |
| Mr. T (real name Laurence Tureaud) | Attended | Actor who playedB. A. Baracus inThe A-Team | [86] |
| Otis Taylor | Former NFL wide receiver and member of 1969 World ChampionKansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame | ||
| Bonita H. Valien | Sociologist at Fisk University, author of books about school desegregation | [87] | |
| Preston Valien | Sociologist atFisk University andBrooklyn College; cultural attache in Nigeria | [88] | |
| Calvin Waller | 1959 | U.S. Army General and Deputy Commander-in-Chief in thePersian Gulf War | [89] |
| Craig Washington | 1966 | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the18th district of Texas from 1989 to 1994 | [90] |
| Craig Watkins | 1990 | District attorney of Dallas County, Texas since 2007 | [91] |
| Mark Hanna Watkins | 1926 | Linguist and anthropologist; first African-American to be awarded a Ph.D. in anthropology; first American to write a grammar of an African language | [92] |
| Dave Webster | 1959 | FormerAmerican Football League All-Pro football player for theDallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs, Prairie View A&M University Hall of Fame inductee and one of the first blacks to play professional football in theAmerican Football League. | |
| Arthuryne J. Welch-Taylor | 1937 | education professor at several HBCUs, researcher with theNational Education Foundation | |
| James E. White | 1986 | Former member of theTexas House of Representatives fromTyler County | [93] |
| Clarence Williams | 1968 | Former NFLdefensive end | [94] |
| Donnie Williams | American football player |
American Campus Communities has been awarded projects totaling $52.5 million to develop, build and manage three student housing projects at Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University and Iona College.
Links to related articles | |
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30°05′31″N95°59′22″W / 30.09194°N 95.98944°W /30.09194; -95.98944
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