At its annual meeting andbanquet on Friday, March 18, 2005 in Lafayette, SU Professor Dr. CharlesVincent was inducted as a Fellow of the Louisiana Historical Association.
LHA was originally founded April11, 1889, for the purpose of collecting and preserving Louisiana’s historicalresources. It is an organizationcomposed of members from the professional realm and the general communityworking together to preserve the state’s historical legacy. The highest honor the organizationbestowed on a member of the organization is the title of Fellow. The Fellow designation was establishedin March 1992 to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of LHA members.
Vincent, a professor of History,is the second Black, after internationally known author Ernest Gaines, and thefirst Black historian to receive the award.
Born and raised in Hazelhurt,Mississippi, Vincent later enrolled in Utica Junior College and Jackson StateUniversity where he worked his way through school as a dorm janitor whileearning his B.A. degree in history.
He wrote his master’s thesiswhile holding down a full-time teaching position at T.J. Harris Junior Collegein Mississippi and after earning his M.A. was hired to teach at Southern. In 1973 he became the first Black toreceive a PhD in History at Louisiana State University.
Professor Vincent has been adedicated instructor at Southern for almost 40 years and has had theopportunity to impact the lives of many he has come in contact with.
“Professor Vincent genuinelycares about his students and is always available for questions or just totalk,” said Amanda Brown, a sophomore early childhood education major fromZachary. “He deserves this awardand I am extremely proud that he has been recognized for his accomplishments,”said Brown.
Many alumni are also very happywith the amount of success Vincent has had. He has worked very hard to help his students realize theirfull potential, in order for them to be successful.
“Professor Charles Vincent wasmy history teacher when I was at Southern years ago,” said Ollie Howard, aSouthern alumna. “His concern for the education of his students was alwaysprevalent in everything he did. The recognition of his hard work was inevitable and I am glad that hehas gotten the credits he so greatly deserves,” said Howard.
Vincent is grateful that hishard work has paid off and that he has helped give back to the Black experienceof Louisiana. “The prayers of my ancestors, my awesome parents, and the supportof my family, have all contributed to my success,” said Vincent.
Vincent has written and editedfive books, over 60 articles and referred works, half dozen major researchprojects, and numerous book reviews. He has also served as consultant and participant in a dozen documentaryfilms. Currently, aside from beinga professor, he is the founder/directory of Mwalimu Institute and Councilman ofDistrict one in Baker.
Vincent has had to overcome manyobstacles and clear various hurdles in his life. Many were due to his race and the mentality of those aroundhim at those times. He believesthat his success was due to him remaining prayerful and believing in a higherpower to lead and guide him through life.
