Le Moyne-Owen College

What is the history of Le Moyne-Owen College?

Le Moyne-Owen College is a private, historically Black college whose present-day identity comes from the merger of two Memphis institutions. LeMoyne College traces its origins to a school established in 1862 by the American Missionary Association to educate formerly enslaved people. Owen College was founded in 1947 with ties to the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention. The colleges merged in 1968.

That history helps explain the college's emphasis on educational access, service, and its relationship with Memphis. Applicants researching its history should distinguish the 1968 merger from the earlier founding of its predecessor schools.

What are the faculties and departments at Le Moyne-Owen College?

Le Moyne-Owen College is primarily an undergraduate institution offering bachelor's-degree study across the liberal arts and professional fields. Its academic offerings include business, education, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

Representative areas of study include business administration, accounting, biology, computer science, criminal justice, English, social work, and teacher preparation. Students should use the current academic catalog - not a historical list of majors - to check whether a particular concentration is accepting students, which courses are required, and how often those courses are offered. For teacher preparation and other careers with licensing requirements, the degree plan and applicable state requirements deserve separate review.

What is the location of Le Moyne-Owen College?

Le Moyne-Owen College is in Memphis, Tennessee, in an urban setting. Its location places students within a metropolitan area rather than on an isolated residential campus, making commuting, transportation costs, and access to local employers relevant considerations.

Memphis International Airport serves the region. Students planning to commute should consider how their class schedules align with their transportation options, particularly for evening classes or campus activities. The college's Memphis location may also matter for students seeking locally based internships or community-service opportunities, although placement in any particular role is not assured.

What is the mission and vision of Le Moyne-Owen College?

Le Moyne-Owen College describes its educational purpose in terms of liberal arts learning, professional preparation, leadership, and service. Its mission is rooted in its history as a historically Black college and its longstanding connection to Memphis.

The institution's predecessor schools had different founding affiliations, including the American Missionary Association and a Baptist educational organization. That history should not be confused with an assumption that every current program has a religious requirement. Applicants for whom the college's stated values are important can compare its current mission statement with the academic programs and student experiences they intend to pursue.