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Sam Houston University

Sam Houston State University
SHSU seal.svg
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 $97.5 million
President Dana G. Hoyt
Provost Richard Eglsaer (interim)
Academic staff
598
Students 20,477
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
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division ISouthland
Mascot Sammy Bearkat
Website www.shsu.edu
Sam Houston State University logo.svg
University rankings
National
Forbes 581
U.S. News & World Report RNP
Washington Monthly 173

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 70 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.


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