HBCU Tour 2006 took place July 11-15 and exposed 18 high school students from across the state of

Illinois to the four following Historically Black Colleges and Universities:

• LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, TN)
• Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, MS)
• Jackson State University (Jackson, MS)
• Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA)

The first stop on O & U's Historically Black College & University Tour was at LeMoyne-Owen College located in Memphis, TN. 

Special thanks to Mr. Amir Joplin and the entire LeMoyne-Owen family for welcoming our group and serving as gratious hosts!!!

For more info regarding LeMoyne-Owen College please visit their website at:

LeMoyne-Owen College

Chaperones (l-r), Keyonn Pope, Damion Douglass, and Pasqual Slaughter representing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Students pictured with Mr. Amir Joplin of the LeMoyne-Owen Admissions Department

Students and chaperones pose for a group picture

Chaperone Nathaniel Mack poses for a shot in front of the plot for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Second stop on HBCU Tour 2006 was in Itta Bena, Mississippi at Mississippi Valley State University.

Special thanks to the entire MVSU Family for serving as such gracious hosts!!

For more info about MVSU visit their website by click the link below:

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Pictured (l-r) Librarian at MVSU, Carmen King (chaperone) and Valnika King (student)

Founding President of Mississippi Valley State University buried on campus

Students listen attentively while the tour guide explains artifacts of the slavery and plantation days

Students (l-r), Shyteria Sykes and Diamond Ward marvel at the memorabilia in the Black History Museum on the campus of MVSU

Home of the JSU Men's and Women's Basketball Teams

Exterior of the newly constructed Walter Payton Recreational Facility on the campus of JSU

The entire group poses in front of the Walter Payton Statue which is housed within facility named in his honor. 

A close-up of the Walter Payton statue.  Walter Payton is one of many decorated alums of JSU.

With temperatures near 100 degrees, students succomb to the heat and opt to ride through the campus as opposed to walking.

The final stop on HBCU Tour 2006 was to Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Click here to visit the Southern University official website.

Many thanks to the entire Southern University Family for their hospitality. 

Special thanks to Mr. Flandus McClinton and Ms. Glenda Cain for sponsoring lunch for the group while on campus.

Also, a heartfelt thanks to Pastor S.C. Dixon and the entire

Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church family for the wonderful meal upon arrival

Click here to visit the Greater Mt. Olive official website.

Students anxiously await the homemade Southern meal prepared compliments of

Pastor S.C. Dixon  & the Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Baton Rouge.

Mrs. Jackie Dixon (first lady of Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church) and Keyonn Pope enjoy a kodak moment.

Students (l-r) Valnika King and Samantha Lewis pose while touring the campus of SUBR.

Students pose for a picture inside of the PBS Pinchback Engineering complex on the campus of SUBR

Seated (l-r): Denzel Thomas, Kaniesha Laster, Dominique Gulley, Alexzandira Frank, Diamond Ward, Shyteria Sykes, Marquida Morgan, and Constance Brown

Standing (l-r): Brandon Ward, Byron Moore, Tristan Sextion, Durrell Jamison, CJ Lindsay, Kendall Watkins, Valnika King, Marvin Harris, and Jamar Mann

Chaperone and Board Member, DuWarn Porter strikes a pose on the campus of Southern University and A&M College.

Students (l-r) Marvin Harris and Kaniesha Laster take in the scenery along the Mississippi River on the campus of SUBR

Chaperones (l-r) Carmen King and Nathaniel Mack pose for shot on the campus of SUBR

Student Kaniesha Laster poses for a picture amidst the scenic view of the Mississippi River.

The graves of the entire Clark Family are situated on the campus of Southern University to commemorate their dedication to the University

(l-r) Dr. F.G. Clark (2nd President of SUBR), Dr. J.S. Clark (1st President of SUBR), Mrs. O.H. Clark (One of the university's 1st professors)

Back at the hotel students pose for a photo opp.

Pictured (l-r) Constance Brown, Samantha Lewis, Kaniesha Laster, and Marquida Morgan

HAPPY B-DAY!!  The group surprised chaperone Carmen King with a birthday cake to help her celebrate.

Students teach chaperone Carmen King how to do the latest dance steps

Students converse while waiting to hit the road