HISTORY OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT NEW ORLEANS

The Beginning
Southern University at New Orleans was founded as a branch unit of Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Southern University) in Baton Rouge by Act 28 of the Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature of September 4, 1956.  On September 21, 1959 SUNO opened its doors on a 17-acre site located in historic Pontchartrain Park, a subdivision of primarily African American single-family residences in eastern New Orleans. 

Established as an open community of learners, classes began with 158 freshmen, one building and a motivated faculty of 15.  The University offered 10 courses in four academic disciplines, including Humanities, Science, Social Science and Commerce.

Expansion and Change
Over the years several events have affected the direction of SUNO.  One occurred on November 8, 1960.  It was then that the Louisiana Legislature adopted Amendment 26.  This act prescribed that SUNO should remain an extension of Southern University, thereby precluding any impending status of autonomy for SUNO.

In 1975, by virtue of Article 8, Section 7 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, management of SUNO was transferred from the Louisiana State Board of Education to the newly-created Board of Supervisors of Southern University.  The new constitution also designated SUNO as a campus of the Southern University System creating parity with the other Southern campuses.  To this date, the Southern University System is the only HBCU university system in the world.

Hurricane Katrina
On the heels of the 2005 tragedies of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, all eleven of SUNO’s buildings were inundated with water.  Having had an enrollment that exceeded 4,500 students, almost half of those students returned home to continue their education at SUNO on the North Campus at 6801 Press Drive in buildings supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Although the University lost academic programs, it gained programs that fit into the New Orleans rebuilding process.  SUNO’s e-learning component gained considerable strength as displaced students sought to obtain their degrees.  The University added such relevant academic programs as Public Administration, Child Development & Family Studies and alternative certifications in Early Childhood Education.  Future business owners in rebuilding New Orleans have been able to take advantage of SUNO’s Business Entrepreneurship program as well as the Small Business Center.

Southern University at New Orleans actively recruits qualified students without regard to race, color, origin, religion, sex, age or disability.

SUNO Chancellors