Southern University at New Orleans

Southern University at New Orleans

Type	Public teaching historically African American university
Established	September 4, 1956 (1956-09-04)
Chancellor	Lisa Mims-Devezin
Academic staff	225
Administrative staff	156
Students	2,715
Undergraduates	2,220
Postgraduates	495
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Campus	Urban
Colors	Columbia blue and sunset gold
Athletics	NAIA Division I – GCAC
Sports	7 teams
Nickname	Knights / Lady Knights
Affiliations	SU System
Website	www.suno.edu

Southern University at New Orleans (often referred to by its initials SUNO) is a historically African American university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is a member of the Southern University System. The University is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

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."

Over the years several events have affected the direction of SUNO. Within five years SUNO grew rapidly. During the fall of 1964 the University's enrollment grew to 1,300. On November 8, 1960 the Louisiana Legislature adopted Amendment 26 which act prescribed that SUNO should remain an extension of Southern University, thereby precluding any impending status of autonomy for SUNO. In January, 1964 Virginia Cox Welch, a white high school teacher, filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the Louisiana State Board of Education. The litigation, Civil Action No. 14217, resulted in opening the University to all regardless of race or color. In 1975 the management of SUNO was transferred from the Louisiana State Board of Education to the newly created Board of Supervisors of Southern University by virtue of Article 8, Section 7 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974. The new constitution also designated SUNO as a campus of the Southern University System creating parity with the other Southern University campuses.