Perserving the legacy: 135 Years and beyond

Founded in April 1880 in New Orleans Louisiana Southern University has had many years and accomplishments to share. SU was founded by a group of black politicians including: P.B.S. Pinchback, T.T. Allain, T.B. Stamps and Henry Demas, who petitioned the Louisiana State Constitutional Convention to establish a school of higher learning for colored people. Southern University was chartered by the passage of Act 87 of Louisiana Assembly. SU opened its doors on March 17, 1881 on Calliope Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 12 students enrolled and a hundred thousand dollar budget. This budget allowed SU to establish a faculty of “arts and letters”. In 1912 SU was ordered to close and relocate to Scotlandville, Louisiana in 1912 by the Legislative Act 188. Southern reopened its doors on March 9, 1914 under presidency of J.S. Clark.
With 135 years of history, the Southern University System celebrated with several events held Monday, March 9. To start off the day full of celebration, the Founder’s Day Convocation was held in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center. Convocation was mandatory for all students, faculty and staff, and began at 9:30 a.m. Presiding over the event was Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Brandon Dumas. The program began with a prelude by the Southern University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Nathan Haymer, which was followed by the invocation and the musical selection “Lord I want to be a Christian” by the SU concert choir. Greetings were given by Miss Southern Shanice Sam and Student Government Association Vice President Sara Martin.
“ We are Southern University,” said the two in unison.
Moving along with the program, Reverend Thomas N. Bessix, pastor of New Gideon Baptist church gave a prayer for the faculty, staff and students.
“Let us be one,” said Bessix.
Guest Speaker and current SU Alumni President Attorney Preston J. Castille Jr. was introduced by Interim Chancellor Flandus McClinton.
During his speech Castille’s theme was “Blacks Matter.”
”Black lives mattered only to be slaves, black lives only mattered as labor, blacks lives mattered as an economic tool.” Castille went on to say “ An SU was needed, for the south, It was illegal for about three centuries to educate a person of color, for they knew that an educated mind was more powerful than a weapon.”
When speaking of the Founders of SU, Castille mentioned, “Our founders and their political genesis decided to propose a law to reverse the mental bondage, and educate and free the mental of the sons and daughters of slaves.
“This is Our University,” said Castille as he ended his speech.
“The speaker being a former SGA and current alumni President did a great job of uplifting the body,” said System President Ronald Mason.
Following Castille’s speech, the SU gospel Choir performed
“God is on Your Side”. The event ended with closing remarks done by SU system President Ronald Mason, and the Alma Mater.
During an interview after the convocation Mason mentioned, “We look forward to another 135 years, we have our challenges ahead of us but one thing I know about the jag nation is that we have always risen to the challenge,” “God bless the Jag Nation,” finished Mason.
“I thought this was magnificent, this university means so much to the state and country,” said Castille. “Not only should we celebrate our history but build upon it for future generations to come, every day is an opportunity to make history and every student on this campus is apart of that and they should seize that opportunity to make themselves and the university better.” Castille went on to say, “Every student has an incredible opportunity and I hope they remember the legacy of this university. “
A 1969 Graduate and former SGA President and Alumni President Reginald Joseph gave his thoughts in regards to the turn out. “I really appreciate the attendance today, especially form the students side,” said 1969 Graduate and former SGA president and Alumni president Reginald Joseph.