Philander Smith University, then Walden Seminary, was founded in 1877 as the result of the first attempt to establish an institution of higher learning for formerly enslaved Black Americans west of the Mississippi River. Philander Smith, the man whom the school is named after passed away in 1882, leaving his wife a $125,000 fortune. Mrs. Adeline Smith’s contribution of $10,500 to then Walden Seminary resulted in its immediate name change to Philander Smith College. The school was chartered as a four-year college on March 3, 1883, and its first baccalaureate degree was conferred in 1888.

In August of 2023, Philander Smith College officially changed status becoming Philander Smith University. This change makes the institution the ONLY HBCU in Central Arkansas with a University status.

In 2025, the school received the largest donation in its history from Mackenzie Scott in the amount of $19 million.

Rich History of Activism

Between 1960 and 1963, Philander Smith University students joined forces with Shorter Community College (2-Year HBCU) to form the Student Freedom Movement. They organized sit-ins at lunch counters like Woolworth’s. This union between the two was spurred on by the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). In March of 1960, Store Managers at a Woolworth’s closed the lunch counter and 5 Philander Smith students were arrested after they refused to leave. The Chief of Police at the time, stated that the students were sitting with their backs turned to the counter reading books and magazines.

During the fight to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, AK, Philander Smith opened its doors to ‘The Little Rock Nine’ students to help them keep up their studies while they awaited court rulings to officially allow their integration. Philander Smith opened its doors in response to former Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus who blocked the entry of the Little Rock Nine into Central High School. Philander Smith University’s support in the fight for integration not only supported ‘The Little Rock Nine’ but also bought the NAACP time to pursue the matter through the court system.

Philander Smith Alumni and former President of the Little Rock chapter of Philander Alumni, Dr. Ozell Sutton recalls his involvement in tutoring The Little Rock Nine, saying,

“The subject of the tutorial was how do we get through this? We learned strength, vitality, and throughout the civil rights movement that young people were our contacts with what ought to be. They (Little Rock Nine) forced me to act out my commitment… I learned how to struggle, and what it means to be committed…Philander was there, willing and ready to assist.”

Today, Philander Smith University offers degrees in four categories, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, and the Bachelor of Arts. They also offer dual degrees in participation with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to deliver a 3/2 Engineering Degree Program. It allows students to receive two degrees in five years. From PSU the students select one degree in science and combine it with an engineering degree at UARK.

Philander Smith University Student Center

In July of 2025, PSU received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. At that moment in time, PSU had received more than $8.3 million in philanthropic and grant support to develop and launch the BSN program.

Philander Smith University is the home of the Panthers! Offering sports in Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Baseball, and Volleyball, and Coed Cheerleading!