Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or anything related to the HBCU facts, are exciting news. Not only are they a huge part of U.S. history, but they also provide excellent opportunities for today’s students to thrive and succeed.
While most people know, or can guess, that HBCUs were formed around the time of the Civil War as places for formerly enslaved people to earn an education. This is true, but there is so much more to the history and historical figures behind HBCUs. In fact, there is quite a lot about the history of HBCUs that most Americans don’t know.
15 Historical HBCU Facts You Didn’t Know
Let’s take a look at 15 HBCU facts that you may not know but will appreciate learning more about.
- Across the United States, there are more than 100 HBCUs.
- Alabama has the highest concentration of HBCUs, with 15 schools in the state.
- Atlanta is the city with the highest concentration of HBCU facts, with nine schools in the city.
- The Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Lincoln University are the oldest HBCUs in the U.S. Chyeney was founded in 1837. Lincoln was established in 1854.
- 75% of Black Americans with doctorate degrees earned their undergraduate degrees from HBCUs.
- More than 80% of Black Americans with degrees in dentistry and medicine graduated from Howard University or Meharry Medical College – two HBCUs.
- 5% of Black officers in the U.S. Armed Forces earned an undergraduate degree from an HBCU.
- 80% of Black U.S. federal judges earned undergraduate degrees from HBCUs.
- HBCUs are leading institutions in STEM fields, including science, engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences.
- In fact, HBCU facts, are responsible for one-quarter of all Black STEM graduates.
- Students who graduate from HBCUs are more likely to complete graduate school or professional training.
- Around half of the Black faculty members at White research universities earned undergraduate degrees from HBCUs.
- A Gallup-Purdue University study reveals that Black students report more meaningful educational experiences at HBCUs than their peers at other colleges and universities.
- Black HBCU students reported in a survey that they are more likely to recall instances of feeling supported by faculty members.
- Notable Graduates
8 Impressive Black Americans In The History
In addition to these HBCU facts, we must mention just how notable HBCU alumni are. Some of the most impressive Black Americans in history attended HBCUs. Some examples:
- Booker T. Washington – educator and advisor to several presidents – attended the Tuskegee Institute, later called Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Joycelyn Elders, the first Black American Surgeon General of the United States, attended Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Katherine Johnson, a NASA employee, credited with critical calculations that made the first (and subsequent) space flights successful, attended West Virginia State University, located in Charleston, West Virginia.
- Lonnie Johnson, a NASA engineer, and creator of the Super Soaker toy graduated from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama.
- Nobel Laureate and author Toni Morrison attended Howard University in Washington, DC.
- Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Reverend Jesse Jackson attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The first female Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, attended Howard University in Washington, DC.
As you can see, there is a lot to learn and learn about HBCU facts in the U.S. Not only are they deeply rooted in history, but they continue to produce incredible graduates that are changing the world. If you are considering colleges or universities for undergraduate or graduate studies, now is a great time to consider HBCUs.
At a time when diversity and equality are at the forefront of Civil Rights, HBCUs continue to support variety within the educational system.
Conclusion:
These all of the HBCU facts give you an excellent idea about the future perspectives of the US. Even after the black freedom, there were separate schooling systems for blacks and whites. When you want to develop a unique race, you have to mix up the children from different races. As the students and youths, they are always making a historic symbolic movement for the rest of society. And these facts are proof of these historical movements.
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