Updated brand signals a new chapter of growth and momentum
Austin, TX – Huston-Tillotson University (HT) today unveiled a refreshed brand, signifying a new chapter in the University’s 151-year legacy and its vision for the next era of leadership, learning, and community impact.
The refresh follows a historic $150 million gift from the Moody Foundation, announced during the university’s sesquicentennial celebration in September 2025 and the largest single gift ever made to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). The gift is fueling HT’s strategic priorities which include supporting new student housing, academic facilities, scholarship programs, and the infrastructure needed to elevate HT’s voice and visibility for generations to come.
“This gift is a testament to faith, prayer, and the genuine belief in the goodness of others,” said Dr. Melva K. Wallace, Seventh President and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University. “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.”
“At Huston-Tillotson, our brand is more than a logo, a color palette, or a campaign, it is a reflection of who we are and the promise of who we are becoming,” said Dr. Shaquille Dillon, Vice President for Marketing, Strategy, Impact and Innovation. “This refreshed identity allows us to honor the legacy that built this institution while creating a bold, contemporary expression of HT that speaks to today’s students and the generations of Rams who will come after them. We want every touchpoint to communicate the strength, excellence, innovation, and sense of belonging that define the Huston-Tillotson experience.”
The refreshed brand honors HT’s roots while reflecting where the university is headed. HT’s signature maroon and gold palette has evolved to include vibrant reds, deep golds, and neutral tans, alongside grounded browns and shades of green that reflect the university’s spirit, campus life, and academic vitality.
“In athletics, we know that identity matters. It shapes how you show up, how you compete, and how you represent something bigger than yourself,” said Vincent Robinson, Director of Athletics at Huston-Tillotson University. “This refreshed brand captures the pride, determination, and competitive spirit of our student-athletes while connecting athletics to the larger Huston-Tillotson story. Our Rams are not only competing for championships; they are representing a legacy of excellence, resilience, and unity that extends far beyond the field of play.”
In the coming weeks, HT will introduce a new brand campaign, “We Are the Soul of Success,” drawn directly from the university’s founding motto, “In Union, Strength.” The campaign tells a unifying story: unity becomes strength, strength shapes the soul, and the soul defines success, showing that individual growth and community are inseparable at Huston-Tillotson.
Rooted in HT’s proud HBCU tradition, the refreshed brand and the campaign to follow are designed to amplify the power of a Huston-Tillotson education and celebrate the transformative potential of its students, faculty, alumni, and partners. Together, they reflect what has always made the university distinctive: a close-knit community where every student is known, supported, and empowered; an education that blends academic rigor with real-world experience; and a culture grounded in faith, service, resilience, and innovation.
About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the first institution of higher education in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. HT is an independent, church-related, historically black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission remains committed to its legacy of educating a mosaic community of learners while cultivating innovative leaders who are dedicated to academic excellence and service. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study. Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. HT is also an NC-SARA school. For more information, please visit www.htu.edu.
