Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University

Seal of Sam Houston State University
Former names	Sam Houston Normal Institute (1879–1923) Sam Houston State Teachers College (1923–65) Sam Houston State College (1965–69)
Motto	The measure of a Life is its Service
Type	Public
Established	1879
Endowment	$97,510,000
President	Dana G. Hoyt
Provost	Richard Eglsaer (interim)
Academic staff	598
Students	20,181
Location	Huntsville, Texas, U.S. 30°42′50″N 95°32′50″W / 30.71389°N 95.54722°W / 30.71389; -95.54722Coordinates: 30°42′50″N 95°32′50″W / 30.71389°N 95.54722°W / 30.71389; -95.54722
Campus	Urban, 272 acres (1.10 km2)
Colors	Orange, White
Nickname	Bearkats
Mascot	Sammy Bearkat
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – Southland
Website	www.shsu.edu

Sam Houston State University (known as SHSU or Sam) was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located approximately 50 minutes north of downtown Houston, in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first such institution of its type in Texas. The school is named for Sam Houston, who made his home in the city and is buried there.

SHSU is a member of the Texas State University System and has an enrollment of more than 20,000 students across over 80 undergraduate, 59 masters', and 8 doctoral degree programs. The university also offers more than 20 online bachelor's and graduate degrees, and its online programs are ranked high by U.S. News & World Report. It was the first institution classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education within the Texas State University System, and while education continues to be the most popular major among students at the university, SHSU has nationally recognized programs in banking, performing arts, mathematics and criminal justice.

The Sam Houston State University campus was originally home to Austin College, the Presbyterian institution that relocated to Sherman, Texas in 1876. Austin Hall was constructed in 1851 and is the oldest university building west of the Mississippi still in operation. It was renovated in 2012 and is used today for special meetings and events. Notably, Sam Houston himself attended and participated in the original dedication of the building.

Created by legislation signed by Governor Oran M. Roberts on San Jacinto Day, April 21, 1879, Sam Houston Normal Institute's dedicated goal was to train teachers for the public schools of Texas. It was the first teacher-training school in the southwestern United States. On October 10 of the same year, the first class of 110 students and four faculty commenced instruction. The first President of the school, Bernard Mallon, died eleven days after the institute opened.

The one-room Peabody Memorial Library was the first free-standing campus library in Texas; it was constructed in 1901 with funds provided by the George Peabody Foundation. According to the Normal Institute's catalogue, the library was "a very handsome structure, and especially designed for the purpose for which it is to be used. It is said that no school of this kind in the South has a Building equal to it." Fully restored, it is now used as a venue for special university events.