SU Founders’ Day: 12 students, 10k and a Dream

What we know as Southern University began as a vision. A vision that started with the minds of 4 scholars: P.B.S. Pinchback, T. T. Allain, T. B. Stamps, and Henry Demas–who attended the Louisiana State Constructional Convention nearly 140 years ago with a desire to form a place of higher education for black Americans. And in 1880, Southern University in New Orleans turned the vision of these founding fathers into a reality with $10,000 ($278,000 in today’s time) and 12 students.
Now, the Southern University system holds nearly tens of thousands of students across the state of Louisiana across 4 campuses: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and the Law Center. What started as an idea manifested into something greater, which is why we celebrate our university’s history by honoring our founding mothers and fathers and their contributions to our university.
On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, the Founders’ Day convocation was held to celebrate this history. The convocation included performances from the university choir and the concert band, light refreshments, and speeches from the current system president Ray L. Belton, and national Southern University Alumni Federation president, LaQuitta Thomas.
“After achieving 80 years as an organization, I would have to say that because of the University Alumni federation is aging backward, and that is awesome for us,” said Ms. Thomas when speaking of the ever-growing number of alumni. “After 140 years, we recognize the challenges we’ve had as a Southern University system, as well as the many successes in all of those things, have helped us to arrive at this place.”
“I am certainly aware of the contributions and efforts of the vice-chancellors, and vice presidents of Southern University.” President Ray L. Belton also had some encouraging words for the members of the Southern University System. “I know those who work diligently in the trenches by forming the curricula. So I wanted to recognize and honor them today as they continue to define Southern University today.”
The contributions and hard work of both the leaders of the past and present were both recognized. Other notable figures included Octavia Clark, John S. Jones, Joseph S. Clark, Emma Mayberry, and James B. Moore. On Founders Day, we honor these icons and their accomplishments, recognizing their contribution to what started as 12 students, $10,000, and a dream.