Culture

Prairie View A&M University was founded on August 14, 1876, as the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state. PVAMU was the first college for African American individuals and was originally named “Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth”. The lands of Alta Vista Plantation were purchased by the Board of directors. Mr. L.W. Minor was appointed principal and welcomed eight African American men as they began their education on March 11, 1878.

 

Numerous names were given to PVAMU including “Prairie View State Normal School”, “Prairie View State Normal & Industrial College”, “Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas” and in 1973 the Sixty-third Legislature changed the name to “Prairie View A&M University”.