Huston-Tillotson University Unveils Brand Refresh

Huston-Tillotson University has unveiled a brand refresh marking a new chapter in its 151-year history, months after receiving a $150 million gift from the Moody Foundation, the largest single gift ever made to a Historically Black College or University.

Huston-Tillotson University, was the first institution of higher education established in Austin, Texas, with roots dating back to 1875. The independent, church-related university sits on a 23-acre campus in East Austin and offers more than 19 areas of study across its associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

The Moody Foundation gift was announced during HT’s sesquicentennial celebration in September 2025. University officials say the funding is going toward new student housing, academic facilities, scholarship programs and the infrastructure needed to expand HT’s voice and visibility for generations to come.

“As we honor 150 years of impact and innovation, this refreshed brand reflects who we have always been and who we are becoming, a university rooted in strength, tradition and forward momentum,” said Dr. Melva K. Wallace, HT’s Seventh President and CEO, in a statement.

The university’s signature maroon and gold palette has expanded to include vibrant reds, deep golds, neutral tans, browns and greens, a shift meant to capture HT’s campus life and academic vitality. In the coming weeks, HT will launch a new brand campaign, “We Are the Soul of Success,” drawn from the university’s founding motto, “In Union, Strength.”

Dr. Shaquille Dillon, HT’s Vice President for Marketing, Strategy, Impact and Innovation, said the refreshed identity is built to honor the legacy that built the institution while speaking to today’s students and “the generations of Rams who will come after them.”

Athletics Director Vincent Robinson said the update carries into HT’s sports programs as well, tying the university’s student-athletes to what he called “a legacy of excellence, resilience and unity that extends far beyond the field of play.”