Southern University was founded in New Orleans in 1880; and moved out of the city in 1914; the current Southern University at New Orleans should not be confused with that earlier Southern University in New Orleans. 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 faculty of fifteen. The University offered ten courses in four academic disciplines, including Humanities, Science, Social Science and Commerce. The first graduation took place in May 1963 when baccalaureate degrees were awarded to 15 graduates. In 1959, Dr. Felton G. Clark, president of Southern, asked Dr. Emmett W. Bashful to open SUNO. Dr. Bashful began as dean of the University. In 1969, he was named vice president, and he was eventually named chancellor in 1977. Of SUNO's founding, Dr. Bashful wrote, "In August, 1959, Dr. F. G. Clark, then President of Southern University at Baton Rouge, presented my name to the Louisiana State Board of Education as Dean of the projected New Orleans Campus. Several days later, I came to New Orleans and after examining the campus, realized what a monumental task I faced. The one building under construction was hardly near completion; the faculty had been only partially recruited; no office space was then available on campus; and it was expected that classes would begin sometime in September."

Southern University at New Orleans primarily serves the educational and cultural needs of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. As a public, historically black university, SUNO creates and maintains an environment conducive to learning and growth as well as promotes the upward mobility of a diverse population of both traditional and nontraditional students through quality academic programs and service to achieve excellence in higher education.

Rev. Avery Alexander Civil Rights activist and former Louisiana State Representative Dr. Louis Westerfield, J.D. First African-American Dean, Loyola New Orleans College of Law and University of Mississippi School of Law

Urban