Huston-Tillotson University: 150 Years, $150 Million, and a Whole Lot of History

Psst. Do you know what a sesquicentennial is? Don’t worry, I had to look it up too. Turns out, it means 150 years. And that’s exactly what Huston-Tillotson University (HTU) in Austin, Texas, is celebrating this year: one and a half centuries of excellence, community, and unapologetic Black brilliance. But that’s not all. Just in time for this milestone, the university received a jaw-dropping $150 million gift from the Moody Foundation—the largest single donation in HBCU history.

Now, if you’ve never heard of Huston-Tillotson, you’re not alone. Tucked right in the heart of East Austin, this small but mighty institution has been shaping leaders and scholars since the Reconstruction era. And thanks to this record-breaking investment, the world is finally about to catch up to what HTU students and alumni have known all along: greatness lives here.

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A Legacy 150 Years in the Making

Huston-Tillotson University didn’t start as one school but two. Samuel Huston College and Tillotson College (both founded by missionaries in the late 1800s) merged in 1952 to form the modern-day university. Their mission was simple but progressive for the time: to educate freed Black men and women, preparing them to lead and enrich their communities.

Over the decades, HTU has evolved into a co-educational liberal arts university that continues to honor that mission. It’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ and is proudly part of the United Negro College Fund. But make no mistake, while it has deep roots in faith and tradition, Huston-Tillotson is all about innovation. From business to natural sciences, education to technology, HTU connects “knowledge, power, passion, and values,” just as its mission statement promises.

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via HTC IG @hustontillotsonuniversity

The $150 Million Moment

So let’s talk about that number—$150 million.

When the Moody Foundation announced the gift earlier this year, jaws dropped across higher education. Not only is it the largest donation ever made to an HBCU, but it’s also the foundation’s biggest contribution ever—part of its broader $1 billion commitment to Texas education by 2035.

The foundation’s leaders said the decision was easy. Huston-Tillotson’s deep legacy in Austin, the city’s only HBCU, and its growing influence in shaping Black excellence made it a perfect partner for transformational change.

• This funding will do more than upgrade campus buildings (though that’s happening too). It will change lives. The investment includes:
• Student Housing Expansion—Modernizing and expanding residence halls to keep students on campus and build a stronger sense of community.
  
• Academic Infrastructure—Upgrading classrooms, labs, and technology so students can learn and create at the highest level.
  
• Scholarships and Endowments—Making sure financial barriers never stand in the way of a student’s education.
  
• Institutional Growth—Strengthening the university’s foundation for long-term success in enrollment, marketing, and outreach.
  
  

In other words, Huston-Tillotson isn’t just celebrating a birthday; it’s evolving.

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Small School, Big Impact

With just over 1,000 students, Huston-Tillotson has always been proof that size has nothing to do with power. The school’s graduates go on to become educators, business leaders, artists, scientists, and social advocates who carry HTU’s legacy of excellence wherever they go.

Located in Austin, Texas, one of the fastest-growing, most innovative cities in America, the university provides a unique experience. Students get all the benefits of being in a major tech and cultural hub while studying at a campus that feels like family. It’s big enough to spread your wings butjust small enough to cultivate a comfortable sense of community. 

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via HTC IG @ hustontillotsonuniversity

The Heart of the Hilltop

If you’ve ever stepped foot on HTU’s 19-acre campus, you know it’s got a special kind of energy. Locals call it “The Hilltop,” and it’s home to some truly historic buildings, like the Old Administration Building—lovingly restored after standing empty for 35 years—and the Downs-Jones Library, which remains a centerpiece for research and community gathering.

The university has come a long way since its early days, expanding both its physical campus and its academic reach. But what makes Huston-Tillotson stand out even more than its facilities is its people. Faculty and students alike are committed to the idea that education isn’t just about earning a degree; it’s about using that knowledge to serve others and build a better world.

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A Symbol for the Future of HBCUs

This donation isn’t just a win for Huston-Tillotson—it’s a win for every HBCU. It shows what’s possible when philanthropy, vision, and legacy align.

For years, smaller HBCUs like HTU have done extraordinary work with limited funding, proving that excellence doesn’t depend on endowments—it depends on dedication. The Moody Foundation’s investment is a long-overdue recognition of that truth, sending a clear message: HBCUs are not just worth supporting; they’re essential to America’s educational and cultural future.

As one alum put it best, “This isn’t just a gift to Huston-Tillotson—it’s a love letter to every HBCU student who dared to dream.”

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Looking Ahead: 150 Years and Counting

So what’s next for Huston-Tillotson? Well, with so much to celebrate, hopefully a party or two. But there’s definitely growth, expansion, and much more innovation in their future.

The university’s 150th anniversary year will include community events, campus tours, and alumni gatherings that honor its past while imagining its future. With this historic donation, HTU can now expand scholarships, build new facilities, and invest in programs that make an immediate difference in students’ lives.

Its vision, “A connected world where diversity of thought matters,” feels more relevant than ever. Huston-Tillotson is more than ready to step up and take the lead in shaping the future.

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Celebrating a Legacy of Love, Learning, and Leadership

For 150 years, Huston-Tillotson University has embodied the best of what HBCUs represent: vision, excellence, and community. This $150 million moment is a celebration of everything HTU has been and a promise of everything it’s about to become.

So the next time you hear someone say, “HBCUs don’t get enough recognition,” tell them about the little university on the Hilltop that just made history. Congratulations, Huston-Tillotson University—here’s to the next 150 years of excellence. Show your support for Huston-Tillotson and all HBCUs at HBCULeggings.com. 

 

Love and Leggings,

 

Bibi