When the Morrill Land-Grant Act was passed (1862) only Alcorn State University in Mississippi was open to African-Americans.

When the Morrill Land- Grant Act was passed (1862) only Alcorn State University in Mississippi was open to African-Americans and designated as a black land-grant college.

When the U.S. Congress passed the Morrill Land- Grant Act in 1862 giving federal land to states for the purpose of opening colleges and universities to educate farmers, scientists, and teachers, only Alcorn State University in Mississippi was open to African-Americans and designated as a black land-grant college.