Texas College
Texas College is a private, historically black Christian Methodist Episcopal college in Tyler, Texas. It is affiliated with the United Negro College Fund. It was founded in 1894 by a group of ministers affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, a predominantly black denomination which was at the time known as the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. They planned to provide for education of African-American students, who were excluded from the segregated university system of Texas. They planned a full literary, scientific and classical education for theology, normal training of lower school teachers, music, commercial  and industrial training, and agricultural and mechanical sciences. History. On January 9, 1894, Texas College was founded by a group of ministers affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, a black denomination. They planned a full, co-educational college to serve people in eastern Texas. On June 12, 1909, the name of the college was changed from Texas College to Phillips University. It was named for Bishop Henry Phillips and his leadership. The name reversal occurred in 1910 at the Third Annual Conference of the church. In May 1912, the college was officially renamed Texas College. The subsequent years  of the college were spent with refinements and enhancements of the educational enterprise. The Articles of Incorporation reflect such efforts with modifications and amendments during periods 1909 to 1966. The college today is open to all individuals without discrimination on the grounds of national origin, race, religion, or sex. It is authorized 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. Academics. Texas College offers bachelor's degree programs in biology, business administration, criminal justice, computer science, English , interdisciplinary studies (teacher certification), mathematics, music, liberal studies, religion, social work and sociology. Also available are Associate of Arts degrees in early childhood education and general studies, as well as a post-baccalaureate alternative certification teacher education program for people with bachelor's degrees. Athletics. In 1920, eight men representing six historically black colleges in the state of Texas met to discuss collegiate athletics and their respective challenges. By the time the session in Houston had concluded, they had founded an athletic league that is now part of the highest level of collegiate sports competition in the U.S. (NCAA Division  I), the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The founding fathers of the original "Super Six" were C. H. Fuller of Bishop College, Red Randolph and C. H. Patterson of Paul Quinn College, E.G. Evans, H. J. Evans and H. J. Starns of Prairie View A&M, D. C. Fuller of Texas College, and G. Whitte Jordan of Wiley College. Texas College was a member of the SWAC from 1920 to 1961 (41 years). Texas College was SWAC football champions in 1934, 1935, 1936, 1942 and three-way champions with Wiley College and Langston University in 1944, finishing the season with a conference record  of 5-1 and an overall record of 8–1. The last SWAC football victory was against Prairie View A&M University in 2003 by a score of 21 to 10. Today, the Texas College Steers are members of the NAIA, which competes in the Red River Athletic Conference. Its football team was revived as an official sport in 2004, and competes in the Central States Football League. The Texas College football team won two CSFL Conference Co-Championships in 2005 and 2006. In 2018, the Texas College football team joined the Sooner Athletic Conference as an associate member. Men's sports  include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, cross country, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, soccer, softball, track & field, cross country, and volleyball. Student life. Residence halls. Texas College constructed a new residence hall, The Living and Learning Center (LLC), that opened in 2016. Residence halls also include the Daniel and the Maddie A. Fair Residence Hall, which were renovated in 2016 as well. Marching band. The Texas College Marching Band is a 30+ member band that performs at athletic and special events. The band is accompanied by the "Golden Girls" dance team and a flag team. Texas