Cleo Live focuses on Southern University founders, history

State Senator Cleo Fields (D-Baton Rouge), Southern officials and students gathered in Smith-Brown Memorial Union Sunday to unleash the history of Southern University’s Founders’ Day on Cleo Live.
The former SGA president and law school graduate currently hosts his statewide interactive radio talk show, Cleo Live on 106.5 KQXL FM.
Political Science Professor Frank Ransburg, Chancellor Edward Jackson, director of Information and Archives Pat Flood and former Alumni president Donald Carlye Wade were the panelists and representatives.
According to Chancellor Jackson. “Southern University is the most sought after college in the South.”
“I’ve seen many changes from the time I was a student and came to work here. The attitudes of students and the university as a whole has progressed,” said Flood.
Southern University started in New Orleans with 12 students, and now over nine thousand students are reaching for a higher education.
Professor Frank Ransburg stated, “Southern University’s founding was the most unique experience in the South. It was created by black legislatures at the end of the civil war during reconstruction to insure their people.”
When Southern University relocated in 1914 to Baton Rouge it had $50,000 to continue the establishment and maintain it’s new campus.
Although the university has grown for the better, its major problem still remains the same now in the 21 century.
“Historically we have been under funded. That continues to be our problem, having enough money,” said Chancellor Jackson.
“We have produced some outstanding leaders through SGA presidents,” said Professor Ransburg.
Fields continues to give back to Southern University because “Southern gave me great opportunities. Everything I am today… I contribute and owe to Southern University.”
He started his weekly radio talk show over two years ago because he wanted to use the mass communication degree that he achieved at Southern University, not including his law degree. Cleo Live airs every Sunday at 6pm.