ULM opened in 1931 as Ouachita Parish Junior College. Three years later it became the Northeast Center of Louisiana State University. In 1936 and 1937, its dean was Stephen A. Caldwell. Its name changed again in 1949, to Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University. A year later, it became an autonomous four-year institution as Northeast Louisiana State College. In 1969, it granted doctoral degrees for the first time and was elevated to university status as Northeast Louisiana University (NLU). Much growth occurred during the administration of president George T. Walker from 1958 to 1976. Under Walker, enrollment increased from 2,100 to 9,700. NLU became the largest university in North Louisiana in terms of enrollment and state appropriations. Among all of the universities under the Louisiana Higher Education Board of Trustees, Northeast had the greatest percent of faculty holding terminal degrees, more nationally accredited academic programs, and offered the highest faculty salaries. In 1999, NLU was renamed to its present name (ULM). 21st century ULM sign Bayou Desiard crosses the ULM campus. Warhawks emblem across from the ULM Library ULM Library and Conference Center A 2002 "Reclaim Our Campus" effort targeted recovery from financial and auditing difficulties. In 2010, James Erwin Cofer Sr., left the ULM presidency after eight years to head Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He was succeeded by Nick Bruno as the eighth president of ULM.

The Office of the Registrar is the official record-keeper of the University. This responsibility entails the oversight of ARROW registration processes of new, continuing, and returning students; the management of the Drop/Add Center; determination of probation/suspension status of students; supervision of grade processing (rosters and grade reports); the processing of data (verification of receipt of transcripts and degrees earned, posting previous credit earned) for new, transfer, and returning students; and the processing of official and unofficial transcript requests for students. In addition, the Registrar's Office is charged with evaluating and posting military, CLEP, and ULM Credit Examination credits; posting Incomplete grade and letter grade changes; data input (GPA update, transcripts sent to deans, Letters of Good Standing) on returning and "Summer Only" students; entering transfer credit for transfer students; and processing resignations, address changes, curriculum changes, and name and social security name changes. This office also has the responsibility of checking out graduate and undergraduate students for graduation, compiling the graduation list for graduating students each commencement, ordering diplomas, and determining academic honors. The management of classroom designation usage, the publication of the Schedule of Classes for each enrollment period, and the management of the Veterans'Affairs Office are also responsibilities of the Registrar. As a principal administrative officer, the University Registrar assists the chief officers of the institution by providing reports, analyses, and recommendations required for policy formulation. The University Registrar also serves as a policy maker and acts to facilitate and implement institutional policy, as well as providing interpretation and enforcement of policy. As the only official "Office of Records" for students pursuing degrees at ULM, the University Registrar's Office has an important mission in the operation of the University. The office has the responsibility to maintain timely and accurate records of the academic progress and accomplishments of its students, while maintaining the privacy and security of those records. Most importantly, the office places service to students, faculty, and alumni first among its priorities, recognizing these persons as the office's primary constituency.

Businessmen: Lloyd E. Lenard, Tim Brando, Moon Griffon, Marc Swayze, Willie Robertson, and Rob Redding Entertainers: Tim McGraw and Devon O'Day Football players: Marty Booker, Stan Humphries, Jimmy Edwards, Joe Profit, Roosevelt Potts, Bubby Brister, and Doug Pederson Baseball players: Ben Sheets and Chuck Finley. Politicians: Mike Walsworth and Jamie Mayo. Basketball players: Kristy Curry.

Urban Main Campus: 238 Acres (0.96 Km2)