Southern University 989267 224686112 2008-07-09T23:35:29Z Parkwells 5326371 /* The "New" Southern University */ c/e {{Infobox University |name = Southern University and A&M College |native_name = |image_name = SU-SEAL.gif |image_size = 200px |caption = |latin_name = |motto = |mottoeng = |established = {{Birth date and age|1881|03|07}} |closed = |type = [[Public university|Public]], [[land grant]], [[Historically black colleges and universities|HBCU]] |affiliation = |endowment = |officer_in_charge = |chairman = |chancellor = [[Margret Ambrose]] (Interim) |president = [[Ralph Slaughter]] |vice-president = |superintendent = |provost = |vice_chancellor = |rector = |principal = |dean = |director = |head_label = |head = |faculty = |staff = 1,465 <ref>{{cite web|title=2005-06 Fact Book|publisher=Southern University|date=2005|url=http://www.subr.edu/pair/FactBooks/FactBook%202005-06.pdf|accessdate=2006-09-12}}</ref> |students = |undergrad = 8,964 |postgrad = 1,400 |doctoral = |other = |city = [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]] |state = [[Louisiana]] |province = |country = <br>[[United States]] |coor = |campus = [[Urban area|Urban]] |former_names = |free_label = |free = |sports = |colors = [[Blue (color)|Blue]] and [[Gold (color)|Gold]]<br>{{color box|blue}} {{color box|gold}} |colours = |nickname = Jaguars |mascot = |athletics = |affiliations = |website = [http://www.subr.edu www.subr.edu] |logo = |footnotes = }} :''For other Southern University campuses, see [[Southern University System]].'' '''Southern University and A&M College''' is a [[historically black colleges and universities|historically black college]] located in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]. The concept of Southern University was put forth by [[P. B. S. Pinchback]], T. T. Allain, and Henry Demas as an institution "for the education of persons of color" at the 1879 Louisiana State [[Constitutional convention (political meeting)|Constitutional Convention]]. In April 1880, the Louisiana [[Legislature|General Assembly]] chartered Southern University, originally located in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]. Southern opened its doors on {{Start date|1881|03|07}} with twelve students. One of the original locations of the early campus was the former Israel Sinai Temple [[Synagogue]] on Calliope Street, between St. Charles and Camp streets in New Orleans. Southern became a [[land grant]] school in 1890, and an [[agriculture|Agricultural]] and [[mechanical engineering|Mechanical]] department was established. Because of continued growth and a lack of land for expansion, the university relocated to what was then [[Scotlandville, Louisiana|Scotlandville]], along Scott's Bluff facing the [[Mississippi River]] in 1914. It is included as a destination of the [[Louisiana African American Heritage Trail]]. ==The "New" Southern University== The new president and first president of what is now known as Southern University at [[Baton Rouge]] was Dr. Joseph Samuel Clark. Clark, an outstanding citizen in the Baton Rouge [[African American]] community, presided over Baton Rouge College and the Louisiana Colored Teachers Association. The Louisiana Constitutional Convention of [[1921]] authorized the reorganization and expansion of Southern University; and Legislative Act 100 of [[1922]] provided that the institution be reorganized under the control of the State Board of Education. Clark presided over Southern University during a transitionary period for the institution. The student enrollment grew from forty-seven students to 500 students and many of the school's early buildings were built during this time. Clark presided until his retirement in [[1938]], at which time the position was given to his son, Dr. Felton Grandison Clark, a renowned speaker and gentleman. Under his tenure, the university underwent tremendous growth. About 33 of 114 current buildings were erected in his 30 years at the university. The student enrollment grew from 500 to nearly 10,000 students. Due to the reluctance of [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] Law School to admit African Americans into its law program, a special Louisiana Convention allowed a law program, [[Southern University Law Center]] to come to Southern University in [[1947]]. The university was one of the first historically black colleges to receive a visit from a [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]], [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], in [[1943]]. Also during Clark's tenure, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) ([[1956]]) and Southern University at [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]]/[[Bossier City, Louisiana|Bossier City]] (SUSLA) ([[1964]]) were founded. They were later incorporated into the [[Southern University System]] in 1974. In 1969, the university saw a changing of the guard, when Clark retired and Dr. Leon G. Netterville took over the reins of leadership. On [[November 16]] [[1972]], two students involved with "Students United", a student protest group on the campus, Denver Smith and Leonard Brown, were shot and killed outside the Old Auditorium (now the Southern University Museum of Art). The murder, apparently committed by a patrolman, has never been solved. The institution continued to grow and in [[1974]] a [[special session]] in the Louisiana Legislature established the [[Southern University System]]. The Southern University System consists of Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, (SUBR); Southern University, New Orleans (SUNO); Southern University Law Center; Southern University Agricultural Center; and Southern University, [[Shreveport]] (SUSLA is a two-year, commuter college). The Southern University Museum of Art at Shreveport is another destination of the [[Louisiana African American Heritage Trail]]. Southern University and its northern Louisiana rival, [[Grambling State University]], participate in the [[Bayou Classic]] Football Game and other festivities (pageant, job fairs, street festival, concerts, Greek/Step Show and Battle Of The Bands) annually on the Thanksgiving Day weekend in New Orleans. The Classic is considered the "Grandfather" of all the college football classics that have been spawned in recent years. The game attracts upwards of over 400,000 alumni, students, fans and other revelers to New Orleans each year. It has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to New Orleans' economy since its inception in 1974. It is believed to be the largest gathering of African Americans annually in the US. Due to [[Hurricane Katrina]] and subsequent damage to the [[Superdome]] in 2005, the game was moved that year to [[Houston, Texas]], but it returned to New Orleans in 2006. It is the only historically black college or [[Division I-AA]] football game that is televised on a major network. [[NBC]] has carried the game live for over 15 years, and each year it has become the highest-rated college football telecast among African Americans for the network. In addition, sports broadcaster [[ESPN]] chose the 2005 Bayou Classic as its highly sought-after locale for its most popular presentation, [[College GameDay (football)|College GameDay]] with [[Lee Corso]]. It is the only time in the show's twenty-year history that it was broadcast from a game involving teams from two [[historically black universities]] or Division I-AA schools. The widely acclaimed Southern University marching band is widely recognized as one of the top bands in the world. In addition to being featured in television commercials, the "Human Jukebox" has been invited to participate in the annual [[Rose Parade]] in [[Pasadena, California]], [[Presidential Inauguration]] ceremonies and several [[Super Bowl]] halftime presentations. ''[[USA Today]]'' newspaper once named the band the number one marching band in the United States. For many years, the band was one of the few in the U.S. that had no female members but that has changed in recent years; currently there are over 20 female members. The first season of the reality television series ''[[College Hill]]'' on [[BET]] premiered in 2004 with the Southern University campus as its locale. The university is in the midst of a major campus facelift with the recent completion of several new dormitories, on-campus apartments, renovation of on-campus A.W. Mumford Stadium, and plans for construction of other infrastructure. ==The Presidents of Southern University== ===Early Southern University=== *A.R. Gourrier, 1881 *George Fayerweather, 1881-2 *Rev. C.H. Thompson, 1882-3 *Rev. J.H. Harrisond, 1883- *George W. Bathwell, 1886-7 *H.A. Hill, 1887-1899 ===Modern Southern University=== *Dr. Joseph S. Clark, 1914-1938 *Dr. Felton G. Clark, 1938-1969 *Dr. George L. Netterville, 1969-1974 *Dr. Jesse N. Stone 1974-1985 *Dr. Joffre T. Whisenton, 1985-1988 *Dr. Dolores Spikes, 1988-1996 (First female head of any college system in the U.S.) *Dr. Leon Tarver II, 1997-2005 *Dr. Edward Jackson, (interim) 2005-2006 *Dr. Ralph Slaughter 2006- ==Colleges within the University== *Honors College *University College *College of Agriculture, Family, and Consumer Sciences *College of Arts and Humanities *College of Business *College of Education *College of Engineering *College of Sciences *School of Architecture *School of Nursing *The Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs All Southern University programs are accredited and also are monitored by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] (SACS). ==Student activities== ===Athletics=== {{main|Southern University Jaguars}} ==Notable alumni== ===Athletes=== {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[[Mel Blount]]|year=|nota=played with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] and President of the [[NFL Players Association]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Lou Brock]]|year=|nota=record-setting base-stealing outfielder with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Harold Carmichael]]|year=|nota=[[NFL]] player, four-time Pro-Bowler, played 14 years for Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Willie Davenport]]|year=|nota=two-time gold medalist of U.S. [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Track Team|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Trenidad Hubbard]]|year=|nota=former [[Major League Baseball]] outfielder|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Avery Johnson]]|year=|nota=former [[NBA]] head coach of the [[Dallas Mavericks]], 2006 [[NBA]] Coach Of The Year|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Tyrone Jones]] |year=|nota=former All-star and MVP [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] linebacker and [[Grey Cup]] champion|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Robert "Butterbean" Love]]|year=|nota=aka [[Bob Love]], former [[NBA]] All-Star, played for [[Chicago Bulls]]. 2nd Leading scorer in Bulls history behind superstar [[Michael Jordan]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Rodney Milburn]]|year=|nota=Track and Field gold medalist at [[1972 Munich Olympic Games]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Bobby Phills]]|year=|nota=[[NBA]] basketball player with the [[Charlotte Hornets]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Isiah Robertson]]|year=|nota=Six time Pro-Bowler in the [[NFL]], played for [[St.Louis Rams]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Rickie Weeks]]|year=|nota=[[Milwaukee Brewers]] 2nd baseman|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Aeneas Williams]]|year=|nota=Pro Bowl cornerback who played for the NFL's [[Arizona Cardinals]] and [[St. Louis Rams]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Godwin Turk]]|year=|nota=[[NFL]] linebacker with the [[New York Jets]] and [[Denver Broncos]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Fred Lewis]]|year=|nota=Outfielder for the [[San Francisco Giants]]|ref=}} {{AlumniEnd}} ===Entertainers=== {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[[Alvin Batiste]]|year=|nota=Renowned [[Jazz]] artist and educator|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Maurice Brown]] |year=|nota=Noted [[Jazz]] artist|ref=}} {{Alum|name=Lavell Crump|year=|nota=a.k.a [[David Banner]], music recording artist.|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Thaddeus Ford]]|year=|nota=[[Jazz]] Musician.|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Randy Jackson]]|year=|nota=musician, record producer, and ''[[American Idol]]'' judge|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Branford Marsalis]]|year=|nota=Jazz saxophonist|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Terysa Singleton]]|year=|nota=Miss Black Louisiana USA 2006 - 2007|ref=}} {{AlumniEnd}} ===Politicians=== {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[[Murphy Bell]]|year=Law school [[1957]]|nota=[[Civil rights]] attorney in Baton Rouge|ref=<ref>http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=111561362</ref> }} {{Alum|name=[[Jay Blossman]]|year=Law school|nota=[[Louisiana Public Service Commission]]er |ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Cleo Fields]]|year=|nota=Representative, [[U.S. Congress]]|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Kip Holden|Melvin "Kip" Holden]]|year=|nota=First African-American mayor of Baton Rouge|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[William J. Jefferson]] |year=|nota=Representative, [[U.S. Congress]] |ref=}} {{AlumniEnd}} ===Military commanders=== {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[[Sherian Grace Cadoria]]|year=|nota=Retired Brigadier General, First Black Female General in U.S. Army|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[[Russel L. Honoré]]|year=|nota=Lieutenant general who commanded the recovery efforts in the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]] after Hurricane [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]]|ref=}} {{AlumniEnd}} ===Authors=== {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[[Olayinka Aikens]]|year=|nota=Author of the novels ''Smooth Operators'', ''Unfinished Business'', and ''Hollyhood''|ref=}} {{AlumniEnd}} ===Educators=== {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[[Alia Sabur]]|year=|nota=Youngest Professor ever at 18|ref=}} {{AlumniEnd}} ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.subr.edu/ www.subr.edu] Official web site *[http://www.sus.edu/ www.sus.edu] Southern University System Official web site *[http://www.gojagsports.com/ www.gojagsports.com] Official athletics web site *[http://www.humanjukebox.com www.humanjukebox.com] Marching Band Website *[http://www.imeem.com/squigee/playlist/LDSiq34g/southern_university_and_am_college_music_playlist/ Marching Band music playlist] {{Public universities and colleges in Louisiana}} {{HBCU}} {{Southwestern Athletic Conference}} [[Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States]] [[Category:Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] [[Category:Southern University]] [[Category:Universities and colleges in Baton Rouge]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1880]] [[Category:Louisiana African American Heritage Trail]] [[de:Southern University and A&M College]] [[no:Southern University]]