Texas Southern University

Originally established by the government in 1947 as a creditable college for African-Americans, TSU went on to become the first historical black university to be home to a law school, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, which is renowned today for its tough academic standards and its distinguished alumni. In 1973, Texas Southern University was named a special purpose institution for urban programming and remains one of the top schools for environmental studies, health, education, public works, law enforcement, justice, city planning and business. There’s a music recital hall on campus as well as a performance theater for this hotbed of burgeoning creative talent.

And you’ve got to go to at least one Tiger football game because TSU’s famous marching band, “The Ocean of Soul,” always puts on a high-energy and complexly choreographed halftime show that even brings fans of the opposing team to their feet with applause. If the caffeine in your coffee isn’t giving you the boost you need, play the video on the band’s Web site.