North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) is a HBCU historically black college/university and is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It is a land-grant university located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1891 and known then as The Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race, NC A&T now (fall 2008) enrolls 10,322 students from across the United States.

NC A&T is one of the nation's leading producer of African American engineers with both B.S. M.S. and PhD degrees. NASA is one of the major partners of the School of Engineering. It is also the nation's top producer of minorities with degrees (as a whole) in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. NC A&T is also a leading producer of minority certified public accountants, landscape architects, and veterinarians. NC A&T offers 99 undergraduate degrees, 50 master degrees, and PH.D degrees in mechanical, electrical, industrial engineering, energy and environmental studies, and leadership studies. The bachelor?s, master?s and doctoral level programs in engineering are all fully accredited by ABET, the nation?s foremost engineering accrediting body. More than 90% of the full time faculty have PhD's. New interdisciplinary programs are global studies, entrepreneurship, and motorsports. A&T's motorsports program races internationally. The School of Business and Economics is also fully accredited in all undergraduate accounting and business programs by AACSB International. NC A&T is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.

The school colors are blue and gold. The school athletic teams are called the "Aggies". The School's Marching Band is known as The Blue & Gold Marching Machine. On the A&T seal are the words "mens et manus" (minds and hands), reflecting on A&T's early focus on agriculture and technical skills.

History

Greensboro four statue in front of Dudley Hall

Due to the separation, the College operated in Raleigh (at the private Shaw University)until 1893 when it moved to the city of Greensboro where the citizens within the community united and donated $11,000 in cash and 14 acres (57,000 mē) of land for its campus. Such contributors were Dr Dewitt, C. Benbow, and Charles H Moore. The original course of study of A&T included languages and literature, mathematics, business, agriculture and military science. Female students were a part of the college from 1893 until 1901, but were not enrolled again until 1928. In 1915, the name of the College became The Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina by act of the NC General Assembly. In 1967, the college gained university status and was changed to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

On February 1, 1960 four distinguished freshmen sparked the civil rights movement of the south. Ezell Blair (Jibreel Khazan), Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and David Richmond "sat-in" at an all white eating establishment (Woolworth's)and demanded equal service at the lunch counter. Because of their great desire for change and equality they inspired many other students of the university to join them in their non-violent protest to desegragate Woolworth's lunch counter. By the end of July 1960, their mission was accomplished and they became the A&T Four. Greensboro sit-ins.

Because of North Carolina A&T's rich history and extensive academic program growth, it has become the largest HBCU in North Carolina. Students chant "Aggie Pride" because of the great impact and foundation that the institution provides and more importantly in honor and spirit of the sacrifice of its fellow alumni.

Student activities

Athletics

The North Carolina A&T Aggies are members of the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Aggies participate in the FCS for football.

Notable alumni

Notes

A.Dr. Lewis Dowdy was inaugurated on April 10, 1964 as the university's 6th president and reappointed chancellor in July 1972, thus making him the first chancellor of the university.

References

External links

• Official website
• http://www.ncat.edu/~alumni/alumni_affairs/distinguished/distinguishedpics.html

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