42 Interesting Facts about Sam Houston State University

Dan April 7, 2023

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a public university located in Huntsville, Texas. It was founded in 1879 and named after Sam Houston, a prominent figure in Texas history who served as the first president of the Republic of Texas and later as governor of the state. Today, SHSU is the third-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas and serves a diverse student body of over 21,000 students.

SHSU is organized into seven colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Criminal Justice, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Science and Engineering Technology. The university offers over 90 undergraduate degree programs, 60 master’s degree programs, and 10 doctoral degree programs.

In addition to its academic programs, SHSU is known for its strong athletic programs. The university competes in the Southland Conference and has a total of 17 NCAA Division I varsity athletic teams, including football, basketball, baseball, and softball. The university’s mascot is Sammy the Bearkat, and its school colors are orange and white.

SHSU has a strong commitment to community engagement and offers a number of programs and services to support the local community. These include the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics, which provides students with opportunities to engage in public service and civic engagement, and the Small Business Development Center, which provides support and resources to local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

There are many interesting facts about Sam Houston State University. Let’s talk about 42 of those interesting facts.

1. Sam Houston State University (SHSU) was founded in 1879 as Sam Houston Normal Institute to train teachers.
2. The university is located in Huntsville, Texas, a small city about 70 miles north of Houston.
3. SHSU is named after Sam Houston, a prominent figure in Texas history who served as the first president of the Republic of Texas and later as governor of the state.
4. SHSU is the third-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas.
5. The university serves a diverse student body of over 21,000 students.
6. SHSU is organized into seven colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Criminal Justice, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Science and Engineering Technology.
7. The university offers over 90 undergraduate degree programs, 60 master’s degree programs, and 10 doctoral degree programs.
8. The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education has classified SHSU as a “Doctoral Research University” with “Higher Research Activity.”
9. The SHSU campus spans over 300 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings.
10. The oldest building on campus is Old Main, which was constructed in 1905.
11. The university’s official colors are orange and white.
12. The university’s mascot is Sammy the Bearkat.
13. SHSU is home to the Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies (TRIES), which conducts research in environmental science and natural resource management.
14. The university has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
15. SHSU has a strong athletic program and competes in the Southland Conference in NCAA Division I.
16. The university’s football team has won six conference championships and has made several appearances in the NCAA Division I playoffs.
17. The university’s baseball team has won three conference championships and has made several appearances in the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.
18. The university’s softball team has won nine conference championships and has made several appearances in the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament.
19. The university’s track and field program has won numerous conference championships and has produced several Olympians.
20. The university’s marching band, the Bearkat Marching Band, has a long and proud history and has performed at numerous events, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
21. SHSU is home to several museums, including the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the Museum of Texas Art, and the Katy and E. Don Walker Sr. Education Center.
22. The university is also home to the Woodlands Center, a satellite campus located in The Woodlands, Texas.
23. SHSU has a strong commitment to community engagement and offers a number of programs and services to support the local community.
24. The university’s Small Business Development Center provides support and resources to local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
25. The university’s Counseling Center provides mental health services to students, faculty, and staff.
26. The university’s Student Health Center provides medical services to students.
27. The university’s Career Services Center provides career counseling and job search assistance to students and alumni.
28. SHSU has a number of student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, honor societies, and academic and professional organizations.
29. The university’s student newspaper, The Houstonian, has been published since 1913.
30. The university’s radio station, KSHU, broadcasts locally on 90.5 FM.
31. The university’s television station, Channel 7, broadcasts locally on cable.
32. The university’s academic programs have been recognized for their excellence by a number of organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, which has ranked SHSU’s Criminal Justice program as the best in the nation for several years in a row.
33. The university’s College of Business Administration has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, a distinction held by less than 5% of business schools worldwide.
34. The university’s College of Education has been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
35. The university’s College of Health Sciences has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
36. The university’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
37. The university’s College of Science and Engineering Technology has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
38. SHSU is home to the Texas State University System’s only law school, the South Texas College of Law Houston.
39. The South Texas College of Law Houston has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1923. It offers a number of specialized programs, including the Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution, the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics, and the Guerra & Farah PLLC Immigration Law Clinic.
40. SHSU has a strong tradition of military service and is home to the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Bearkat Battalion.
41. The university’s ROTC program has been recognized for its excellence by the Department of Defense, which has named it a “Honor Unit with Distinction.”
42. SHSU has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and offers a number of programs and initiatives to support underrepresented groups.

Sam Houston State University is a vibrant and dynamic institution that offers a wide range of academic programs, opportunities for research and scholarship, and a supportive community for students, faculty, and staff. With a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, SHSU prepares its students to become leaders in their fields and to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. Whether you are interested in pursuing a degree in criminal justice, business, education, or any other field, SHSU has the resources and support you need to achieve your goals and succeed in your career.