HBCU Voices: Students On Why HBCUs Remain Relevant

There are 105 historically black colleges and universities in the United States, out of nearly 5,000 colleges in total. These schools -- some of which were established before the Civil War -- carry on legacies of service and influence, with an aim to educate future African-American leaders.

In recent years, there has been discussion over whether or not HBCUs remain relevant. In a 2010 Wall Street Journal op-ed, journalist Jason L. Riley wrote:

Black colleges are at a crossroads. At one time black colleges were an essential response to racism. They trained a generation of civil rights lawyers and activists who helped end segregation. Their place in U.S. history is secure. Today, however, dwindling enrollments and endowments indicate that fewer and fewer blacks believe that these schools, as currently constituted, represent the best available academic choice.

But others, like Spelman College President Beverly Daniel Tatum, disagree. As she wrote on the Huffington Post last year:

The relevance and power of an HBCU education in which faculty expectations are high, peer support is strong, and role models are abundant is quantifiable and worthy of preserving and strengthening with investment. Black students who want to see themselves as not just one of a few who can succeed but rather one of many who seek and find that legacy of success and affirmation on an HBCU campus.

Here at HuffPost College, we asked current HBCU students to share what their schools meant to them. The response to this question was overwhelming. Many students said they were accepted to "predominantly white institutions," but chose instead HBCUs to connect to their past and present. Others said they sought the communities they found at HBCUs, or wanted to continue a family tradition of HBCU education.

Read on below for ten students' stories -- and if you have a story to share, please do so in the comments section.

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Danyelle Gary, Hampton University

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My elementary school, middle school and high school were predominantly black, and members of my family encouraged me to branch out and experience racial diversity at a predominantly white university. Honestly, when it came to choosing a college, the racial makeup was my last concern. I wanted to go to a school that would heighten my passion for journalism and help me to cultivate the skills needed to succeed in the field. Read more...

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My elementary school, middle school and high school were predominantly black, and members of my family encouraged me to branch out and experience racial diversity at a predominantly white university. Honestly, when it came to choosing a college, the racial makeup was my last concern. I wanted to go to a school that would heighten my passion for journalism and help me to cultivate the skills needed to succeed in the field. Read more...

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Comments

[Bootzey Jones]

10:17 AM on 08/09/2011

I loved my HBCU experience because it allowed me to go to school and matriculate without the ridiculous pressure of having to be the representative for my race and I got to see how white folks feel in their institutions when everyone around them looks like themselves. I wouldn't trade it for anything and if and when I have children, they will be getting the same experience.

[Troy Lynch]

09:01 PM on 08/07/2011

Should HBCUs want to remain relevant it becomes imperative that they become more and more diverse by attracting students of many cultures who wish to study with those for whom the African-American experience informs their intellect. We're not all in this together until we're all in this together!

[Bootzey Jones]

10:18 AM on 08/09/2011

Why? Do you realize why they exist in the 1st place?

[NorenForSenate]

02:03 PM on 08/07/2011

that is...
www.norenforsenate.com

oops

[NorenForSenate]

02:02 PM on 08/07/2011

www.norenfosenate.com
Progressive Democracy without Voting for Bush Tax Cuts!

[sunnah2a]

12:43 PM on 08/07/2011

I enjoyed my Howard University education.

[Knowledgeseeker]

04:28 PM on 08/05/2011

I want to attend Howard University .

[AcademicFreedom]

09:46 AM on 08/05/2011

With the success of HBCUs, there should be such institutions for other races.

[CDL1]

05:42 PM on 08/07/2011

There are Yeshivas for Jewish students. No need for "white" colleges because most colleges have a white majority and teach standard Euro American studies. An Asian American college would be intersting, but there would probably be too much infighting as to which particular Asian culture it would be based on. The A.A. colleges were founded out of segragation and Jim Crow. Anyone can attend an HBCU, not just African Americans. I hear many are very hard to get into though because of all the competition that comes from having a great reputation.

[myersbrandonL]

02:53 AM on 08/05/2011

Fortunately, the relevance and importance of HBCUs is apparent in the accomplishments of its graduates. This is especially true for my alma mater, Morehouse College. Our graduates continue to dominate in every field. I would, however, advise future college students to pick their HBCU carefully. And I’ll leave it at that.

[rwilli1972]

08:30 PM on 08/07/2011

Great comment. I think that statement can be made for other colleges also. College aspirants need to adequately research any school before attending. http://www.perspectivestv.com

[Emma J Wisdom]

10:40 PM on 08/04/2011

The University of Tennessee bookstore has quit selling packages of breath mints that satirize President Barack Obama. Officials pulled the product, which were called "dissapointmints," after state Rep. Joe Armstrong, who is a Democrat, visited the bookstore and told the manager he found the mints offensive. Armstrong told The Knoxville News Sentinel that UT uses federal and state funds and should be sensitive to what he called "politically specific products," according to Associated Press reporting.

[AcademicFreedom]

09:45 AM on 08/05/2011

Hopefully, the bookstore will stop selling everything that might be policitally specific or sensitive; like any of the books written by Laura Ingram, or others like her. And, hopefully, they will stop selling Huckleberry Finn (unlessis is the sanitized version.

[Jaida McKie]

10:31 PM on 08/04/2011

I would have liked to see more diversity within this post. You all really should have reached out to HBCUs outside of Hampton, Spelman and Morehouse. There are students from 105 HBCUs you could have reached out to.

Anyway, there is no reason to question the relevancy of HBCUs. It's history and tradition. It's so much more than attending an institution with people who look like me. There's so much to be learned and attending Tennessee State University has made me appreciate my heritage and appreciate black culture so much more! Attending an HBCU was the best decision I've ever made.

[Will Deyamport]

07:14 PM on 08/04/2011

I attended Tougaloo College before I transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi to go to Film school. What I learned about myself and my community was priceless. And I hope to teach at one someday.

[ReDaRa]

04:35 PM on 08/04/2011

And may I add, I met my husband there who has his Juris Doctorate. So we do produce smart men and women. Thanks.

[ReDaRa]

04:33 PM on 08/04/2011

Its really annoying whenever you read an HBCU article, people tell their stories and its usually just Spelman and Morehouse students! There are MORE HBCUs than these two! Goodness gracious! I went to The Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. I was accepted into every school I applied too, including UT-Knoxville, Johnson & Wales, Spelman, Howard, UT-Chatt, etc... I went to a predominately Caucasion Elementary, Middle, and High School. I wanted a new experience and I wouldn't trade my experience at FAMU for anything in the world. I am the oldest of my siblings: my middle sister went there, and my baby sister will be starting in the fall. Despite what Neymar says, I met some of the most educated men and women I have ever known on that campus! I wanted a small feel university atmosphere where the professors actually cared about me, and that's what I received. I'm a Rattler for life.

[myersbrandonL]

02:56 AM on 08/05/2011

I’m confused. You wanted a small feel university...so you went to FAMU--a school with over $13,000 students?

[MCWAY]

03:35 PM on 09/27/2011

Considering that neighboring Florida State has 30,000+, FAMU is indeed small.

[MCWAY]

03:34 PM on 09/27/2011

A fellow Rattler!!! Howdy!!!

[Neymar]

08:28 AM on 08/04/2011

HBCUs are breeding grounds for homophobia, ignorance, and sexism. The first because of antiquated Christianity ideas. Ignorance because of the complete incompetence of the staff, that everybody who goes to one knows of. Sexist because it remains one of the few places in the black community where African american men are able to practice their hegemony over African american women. These schools get second rate African American students, and everybody(including themselves) know it.

[Classof89]

10:19 AM on 08/04/2011

Spoken like someone who's never attended a HBCU, or any college/university period.

[MrGerrenalist]

11:24 AM on 08/04/2011

HBCUs breed everything that you are not. Men and women with integrity and a sense of humanity. And considering so, they will thrive heavily.

[enyapjeff]

08:26 AM on 08/04/2011

I am not an HBCU graduate, but I do work for an HBCU Central State University in Ohio. In the future I think it would be even more valuable to obtain a broader perspective on the diversity of HBCU opportunities available for students.