Kentucky State University's History

From its modest beginnings as a small normal school for the training of black teachers for the black schools of Kentucky, Kentucky State University has grown and evolved into a land-grant and liberal arts institution that prepares a diverse student population to compete in a multifaceted, ever-changing global society. The University was chartered in May 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, only the second state-supported institution of higher learning in Kentucky. During the euphoria of Frankfort’s 1886 centennial celebration, when vivid recollections of the Civil War remained, the city’s 4,000 residents were keenly interested in having the new institution located in Frankfort. Toward that end, the city donated $1,500, a considerable amount in 1886 dollars, and a site on a scenic bluff overlooking the town. This united display of community enthusiasm and commitment won the day. The new college was located in Frankfort in spite of competition from several other cities.

Recitation Hall (now Jackson Hall), the college’s first building, was erected in 1887. The new school opened on October 11, 1887, with three teachers, 55 students, and John H. Jackson as president.

KSU became a land-grant college in 1890, and the departments of home economics, agriculture and mechanics were added to the school’s curriculum. The school produced its first graduating class of five students in the spring of that year. A high school was organized in 1893. This expansion continued into the 20th century in both name and program. In 1902, the name was changed to Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons. The name was changed again in 1926 to Kentucky State Industrial College for Colored Persons. In the early 1930’s, the high school was discontinued, and in 1938 the school was named the Kentucky State College for Negroes. The term “for Negroes” was dropped in 1952. Kentucky State College became a university in 1972, and in 1973 the first graduate students enrolled in its School of Public Affairs.

Over the past 50 years, more than 47 new structures or major building expansions have enhanced Kentucky State University’s 882-acre campus, which includes a 311-acre agricultural research farm and a 306-acre environmental education center.

Kentucky State University is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students and 93 full-time faculty members. Students have the opportunity to receive a certificate (less than one year) in various disciplines, an associate (two-year) degree in two disciplines, a baccalaureate (four-year) degree in 22 majors, several of which have optional specializations, a master’s degree in eight disciplines, and a doctoral degree in nursing practice.

Kentucky State University's Legacy

Kentucky State University is one of nineteen 1890 Land Grant institutions that are mandated by the Morrill Act of 1890 to conduct research, extension, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences. The Kentucky State University (KSU) Land Grant Program works to uphold the mission of the University through its commitment to research, extension, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences. The KSU Land Grant Program is committed to resolving agricultural, educational, economic, and social problems of the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, especially to serve the underserved in rural and urban settings. The Land Grant Program at KSU receives a significant portion of its funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which provides programmatic oversight, regulation, and guidance. Such USDA mission areas as the cooperative extension and research are dedicated to assisting stakeholders across the nation and in implementing strategic initiatives of the USDA through programs that enable such universities to conduct research, teaching, Extension and outreach.

The Land Grant Program research and extension activities enable KSU to offer many opportunities for students interested in learning more about a wide range of disciplines, including food and agricultural sciences, environmental science, natural resources, family science, consumer science, rural sociology, and community development. A U.S. Department of Agriculture Liaison Officer is located on the campus to counsel Land Grant administrators and students on national initiatives, and opportunities for partnerships with the USDA. This person also works with high school and college students by exposing them to career opportunities in the food and agricultural sciences. College students are eligible for internships while enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Additionally, the Liaison Officer promotes and accepts applications for the USDA 1890 Scholars Program, which offers a full scholarship package (tuition and a computer as well as room and board) to high school graduates who are interested in working for the USDA after completion of their undergraduate studies. A separate 1890 Scholarships Program also provides scholarships to outstanding students entering the institution to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields that would lead to a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce.

The Land Grant Program also houses research and Extension programming.

The Community Research Service (CRS) is focused on three main research areas: Aquaculture, Organic and Sustainable Agriculture and Human Health, Nutrition, and Food Safety. The KSU Land Grant Program has nationally and internationally recognized research programs in Aquaculture or fish farming to bring new economic opportunities to Kentucky.

The Aquaculture Program, KSU’s “Program of Distinction,” is widely recognized as being a Top 5 program in the nation in aquaculture. The program is a national and international leader in the areas of water quality, disease diagnostics, aquaponics, pond development and management, fish meal replacement research, as well as paddlefish culture, freshwater prawn and saltwater shrimp culture, Koi breeding, production of largemouth bass on-feed, catfish and hybrid striped bass production. New organic food markets continue to grow, and alternative crops and production methods are desired by farmers. The KSU Land Grant Program’s Organic Program is nationally ranked in the top 20 amongst 1890 and 1862 Land Grant institutions.

Mission Statement

Kentucky State University is a public, comprehensive, historically black land-grant university committed to advancing the Commonwealth of Kentucky, enhancing society, and impacting individuals by providing quality teaching with a foundation in liberal studies, scholarly research, and public service to enable productive lives within the diverse global economy.

Vision Statement

Kentucky State University prepares today’s students as global citizens, lifelong learners and problem solvers. To accomplish this, Kentucky State University must challenge itself and its students to be the best. It must recognize its strengths, expand and excel. Notwithstanding, it must also welcome change and quality improvement. By doing so, KSU will gain widespread recognition as one of the region’s strongest universities. As a university of distinction, Kentucky State University will create an environment where:

• Students are first.
• Diversity is valued, understood and respected.
• Diverse, motivated and talented students, staff and faculty are actively recruited and retained.
• An intellectual environment conducive to leadership in teaching, research and community service is encouraged and supported.
• Effective teaching is promoted both inside and outside the classroom.
• Students are taught how to obtain, evaluate and use information.
• Learning is lifelong.
• Effective and efficient fiscal management by the administration is the norm.
• Collegiality is the norm, not the exception.
• Each person is a change agent.
• Excellence starts with me.

Core Values

Through the core values, we- the faculty, staff, administration and students of Kentucky State University – communicate to all our stakeholders and constituents the way in which we choose to do business. The following values that we hold are essential to achieving the University’s mission:

A STUDENT-CENTERED PHILOSOPHY

In everything we do, our students come first. We strive to create an environment that values the unique backgrounds, perspectives and talents of all our students and provide them with the academic, leadership and social tools to help them grow as responsible, knowledgeable and creative global citizens. We encourage attitudes and behaviors that lead to a desire to learn, a commitment to goals and respect for the dignity of others. Ultimately, we encourage attitudes and behaviors that build success.

EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION

We believe in student’s potential to learn and to connect what they learn inside and outside the classroom to solving problems for productive changes. We strive to offer excellent academic programs; to encourage exploration and discovery through providing outstanding instruction, technology and facilities; and to ignite a curiosity toward the world and a passion for lifelong learning. We seek to reward the pursuit and achievement of excellence and innovation in an environment where freedom of thought and expression are valued. We want all members of our campus community to leave a mark through their creativity, curiosity, discovery, exploration and ingenuity.

ETHICAL CONDUCT

We encourage the sharing of information in an open and responsible manner while maintaining the highest ethical and moral standards. The standards are reflected in our commitment to accountability and to personal responsibility for our choices and actions. We encourage respect for the dignity, diversity and rights of individuals. We welcome all students who commit themselves to learning, knowing that students and faculty with diverse perspectives enhance our classroom experience.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We share responsibility for each other and are committed to providing opportunities for the participation in the economic, political and cultural life of our local, state, regional, national and global communities. We are sensitive to our surrounding community; therefore, we recognize the value of integrating classroom learning with the community experience. Our commitment is to provide leadership and to establish partnerships for addressing community and workforce needs and to make a positive difference in the city of Frankfort, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world.

The residential division of Kentucky State University is organized into three academic colleges:

College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources

Dr. Marcus Bernard, Acting Dean and Associate Professor College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

• School of Agriculture & Natural Resources
• School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences
• School of Nursing and Health Sciences
  • Kentucky Undergraduate Pre-Medical Academy (KUMA)

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. David Shabazz, Acting Dean and Associate Professor College of Arts and Sciences

• School of Criminal Justice and Government Relations
• School of Education
• School of Humanities
• School of Psychology
• School of Social Work
• Liberal Studies
• Honors Collegium

College of Business, Engineering, and Technology (CBET)

Dr. Chi Shen, Acting Dean and Professor College of Business, Engineering and Technology

• School of Business
• School of Engineering and Technology
• School of Math and Computer Sciences