Straight College
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Former names
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Straight College |
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| Type | Private, HBCU |
| Active | 1868–1934 |
| Affiliation | American Missionary Association |
| Location |
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
Straight University, after 1915 Straight College, was a historically black college that operated between 1868 and 1934 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was founded by the American Missionary Association.
The campus faced Canal Street, occupying the block between Tonti and Rocheblave Streets backed by Gasquet (now Cleveland Avenue). After the university was absorbed into the newly created Dillard University, the campus buildings served as a school and YWCA until demolished in 1950.
Responding to the post-Civil War need to educate newly freed African Americans in New Orleans, Louisiana and the surrounding region, the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church founded Straight University on June 12, 1868.
Straight University received its name as recognition for Seymour Straight's initial endowment gift. Straight was a wealthy cheese manufacturer from Hudson, Ohio. In 1915, the name "Straight University" was changed to Straight College which represented the scope of the school's work more accurately. Missionary work was a core concern, which extended from New Orleans to Africa.
Throughout its history, Straight offered courses of study ranging from elementary- to college-level courses in music, and theology.
In 1934, after experiencing financial difficulties, Straight College was merged with New Orleans University to form Dillard University.
Straight University also offered professional training, including a law department from 1874 to 1886, and its graduates participated in local and national Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era civil rights struggles. For example, 1876 Straight University Law School graduate Louis André Martinet published The Crusader—a civil rights daily, co-founded the Comité des Citoyens (Citizens' Committee), and played a significant role in the Plessy v. Ferguson landmark Supreme Court case.
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