Happy birthday, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Looking back on 125 years of history.
From the day of its founding, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette represented a belief in what was possible. Now 125 years later, we’re celebrating what we’ve accomplished — and anticipating the continued success that lies ahead.
This anniversary also marks an opportunity to honor the enduring connection we have to an institution that has given each of us — and this community — so much for so long.
Every “first” is a tribute to individuals who dedicated their lives to making a difference. Each milestone represents the impact of their vision on the state of Louisiana and beyond. Our history unites us with those who came before us and connects us to those who will carry our mission of service beyond our 125th year.
SERVICE. VISION. LEADERSHIP. LOUISIANA.
Design: Courtney Jeffries | Digital Production: Marie Elizabeth Oliver
Photography: UL Lafayette Special Collections, Doug Dugas, Philip Gould, Danny Izzo
1898
The Louisiana General Assembly adopted Act 162, creating SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE.
Sen. Robert Martin introduced legislation that created SLII.
Sen. Robert Martin introduced legislation that created SLII.
Dr. Edwin Stephens, first president of SLII. He served for 38 years.
Dr. Edwin Stephens, first president of SLII. He served for 38 years.
"WE ARE NOT TO THINK OF THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AS A TEMPORARY THING, FOR IT IS NOT. IT IS AN INSTITUTION FOR ALL TIME. A hundred years from now, it will be amongst our descendants, a hundred times more efficient. Its influence will have spread, and the parish of Lafayette will point with pride to the school, and honor the memory of those whose public spirit has built it."
One of the first six classrooms
A 1901 cooking class
The Bread Club, 1913
A 1912 music ensemble
Early Construction
“...when I was coming to school, a good deal of us rode down on horses or in buggies. We just hitched the mare outside a building and went on inside while the horse waited for class to be dismissed.” —Harold Demanade, a member of SLII's first graduating class
DeClouet Hall was under construction in 1903. The Main Building, later named Martin Hall, is in the background.
Main Hall (later named Martin Hall)
Main Hall (later named Martin Hall)
Brown Ayres Hall
Brown Ayres Hall
Foster Hall
Foster Hall
DeClouet Hall
DeClouet Hall
Shown are nine of the 18 members of Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute's first graduating class.
Shown are nine of the 18 members of Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute's first graduating class.
Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute had eight faculty members for its first session in 1901. From left, top row: Florent Sontag, music; SLII President Edwin L. Stephens, mathematics; Beverly Randolph, drawing and gymnastics; Ashby Woodson, manual training; Gertrude Mayfield, domestic science; and V.L. Roy, science. From left, seated: L.W. Mayer, stenography, and Edith Garland Dupré, English and French.
Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute had eight faculty members for its first session in 1901. From left, top row: Florent Sontag, music; SLII President Edwin L. Stephens, mathematics; Beverly Randolph, drawing and gymnastics; Ashby Woodson, manual training; Gertrude Mayfield, domestic science; and V.L. Roy, science. From left, seated: L.W. Mayer, stenography, and Edith Garland Dupré, English and French.
Members of The Vermilion, SLII's student newspaper, posed for a photo in 1909. The Vermilion began publishing in 1904.
Members of The Vermilion, SLII's student newspaper, posed for a photo in 1909. The Vermilion began publishing in 1904.
The first staff of L'Acadien, Dorothy Dunn Gagne, Laura Landrenau, Joseph Edward Lacour, Martha Pellerin and Hallie May Bibbins.
The first staff of L'Acadien, Dorothy Dunn Gagne, Laura Landrenau, Joseph Edward Lacour, Martha Pellerin and Hallie May Bibbins.
Athletics 1901-1903
SLII's first track team was formed in 1901.
In 1903, SLII organized the Institute Athletic Association.
SLII's first baseball team, 1903
SLII's football team, 1903
SLII's basketball team, 1913
1921
The Louisiana Constitution designated the school as one of the state's institutions of higher education and changed its name to SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL AND TECHNICAL LEARNING.
Edith Garland Dupré
Edith Garland Dupré
"If I were asked today to name the three constant principles that have shaped the destiny of this college, I should say in ringing words — LOFTINESS OF ASPIRATION, HONESTY OF PURPOSE AND GENEROSITY OF COMRADESHIP."
1925
President Edwin L. Stephens designed a seal to commemorate accreditation of Southwestern Louisiana Institute as a four-year college. The emblem was adopted May 11, 1926. The shield is indicative of faith and valor. Within the circle, there is a wreath of live oaks, beloved by Dr. Stephens. The Latin adverbs are 'Bravely, Happily, Faithfully.'
SLI's Extension Division provided bus service to students who didn't have transportation or couldn't afford to live on campus. In 1932, buses transported 143 students who each paid $5 - $8 per month for the service. Buses traveled to Franklin, Kaplan, Jennings and Opelousas.
Cypress Grove, once a pigsty, was used for performances and commencement ceremonies before it was intentionally flooded during World War II.
In 1928, a physical education class performed "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Emily Huger, an art instructor, held classes in Cypress Grove in 1937.
1938
Lether E. Frazar became SLI's second president in 1938.
Lether E. Frazar became SLI's second president in 1938.
A covered walkway constructed in 1940. The brick structure, which linked all major buildings on campus, was the only one of its kind in the state, according to The Vermilion.
A covered walkway constructed in 1940. The brick structure, which linked all major buildings on campus, was the only one of its kind in the state, according to The Vermilion.
Thousands attend dedication ceremonies on May 18, 1940, for 14 buildings completed during Frazar's administration.
Thousands attend dedication ceremonies on May 18, 1940, for 14 buildings completed during Frazar's administration.
Jeff DeBlanc, '46, was the first SLI alumnus to receive the Medal of Honor. President Harry S. Truman is shown presenting the medal during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Jeff DeBlanc, '46, was the first SLI alumnus to receive the Medal of Honor. President Harry S. Truman is shown presenting the medal during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
1941
Joel Lafayette Fletcher became SLI's third president.
Joel Lafayette Fletcher became SLI's third president.
In 1943, Fletcher and Dean of Men Joe Riehl were able to secure the V-5, V-7 and V-12 military training units for SLI. The armed services programs are credited with saving SLI by boosting enrollment. By the time all programs were complete in 1945, about 2,000 soldiers had passed through Southwestern's gates. Students marched in a parade to mark the opening of a Red Cross Relief Fund, rolled bandages and held victory dances to raise money for war bonds.
The Red Jackets, a pep squad created in 1937, had more than 100 members in 1950. During halftime at football games, the drill team performed on the field.
The Red Jackets, a pep squad created in 1937, had more than 100 members in 1950. During halftime at football games, the drill team performed on the field.
Fight Song
Southwestern's official fight song was chosen during a contest sponsored by the Student Council in 1950. Hilma LaBauve, an SLI freshman, wrote the winning entry and won a prize of a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.
FIGHT ON, BULLDOGS
FIGHT ON TO VIC'TRY
FOR THE RED AND WHITE.
WE ALL SING OF TRIUMPH AND GLORY
FOR OUR BOYS TONIGHT.
YOU WILL HEAR THE BARK
OF THE BULLDOGS SOARING TO THE SKY
HUSTLE UP AND RUSTLE UP AND
FIGHT ON TO VIC'TRY, S-L-I!
A wishing well adjacent to Cypress Lake was a gift from the Class of 1943 to SLI's student body. It was intended to symbolize the class spirit of optimism.
A wishing well adjacent to Cypress Lake was a gift from the Class of 1943 to SLI's student body. It was intended to symbolize the class spirit of optimism.
1954
On July 16, 1954, the federal court in Shreveport ruled that SLI could not refuse admission to any resident of southwest Louisiana on the basis of race or color. John Harold Taylor registered six days later. By the start of the fall semester, 80 Black students had enrolled at SLI, making the school the first formerly all-White college or university in the Deep South to desegregate.
In 1953, four Black students — Clara Dell Constantine, Martha Jane Conway, Shirley Taylor and Charles Vincent Singleton — were denied admission to SLI. They filed a lawsuit in response, seeking a court order to force the institute to allow them to enroll.
In 1953, four Black students — Clara Dell Constantine, Martha Jane Conway, Shirley Taylor and Charles Vincent Singleton — were denied admission to SLI. They filed a lawsuit in response, seeking a court order to force the institute to allow them to enroll.
In 1956, Christiana Smith became the first Black student to graduate from SLI.
In 1956, Christiana Smith became the first Black student to graduate from SLI.
SLI's campus in 1954
In 1956, the Louisiana Legislature authorized Southwestern to grant master's degrees in education. A Graduate School was established in 1957, positioning SLI to become a university.
Coronna, Olivier and Guillory halls, seen here near Hebrard Boulevard, originally opened in 1957 as the Memorial Student Union.
Between 1957 and 1971, weightlifting teams representing SLI and USL won eight national championships, including five consecutive titles. Among the team's members: Walter Imahara, center, one of the most decorated athletes in University history.
July 27, 1960
Gov. Jimmie Davis signed Act 124, which changed SLI's name to the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA
"WE FIRMLY RESOLVE THAT WE SHALL BE VERY WORTHY OF OUR NAME AND WE SHALL ADD NEW HONORS TO THAT NAME."
"Instead of the official Battling Bulldogs, Southwestern boosters have started referring to Coach Russ Faulkinberry's squad as the Raging Cajuns."
1966
Clyde R. Rougeou became USL's fourth president.
Clyde R. Rougeou became USL's fourth president.
In 1962, Life magazine published this photo of a frozen Cypress Lake. Students ignored no trespassing signs and went ice skating — with or without skates.
In 1971, Cajun Field opened. "The Swamp" was built to seat 27,000 fans.
SLI obtained its first computer in 1954. It was used in classroom instruction and made available to local businesses and industry. By 1964, USL offered one of the first graduate programs in computer science in the U.S.
Here, Sammy Fontenot, standing, and Irving Manuel monitor Southwestern's first "electronic brain."
1974
Dr. Ray P. Authement became the University's fifth president.
He retired in 2008. Authement's 34-year tenure made him the nation's longest-serving public university president at the time. During his presidency, the University changed its name to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; implemented academic admission standards; became the first Doctoral II institution in Louisiana; helped diversify the economy by establishing 17 research centers; increased gifted assets to more than $150 million; and constructed over 30 buildings and facilities, and renovated or expanded more than 25 others. The Ray P. Authement College of Sciences is named in his honor.
1981
USL was the first university in the southeastern U.S. to offer a graduate-level degree in computer engineering and a bachelor's degree in telecommunications.
In 1984, USL formed the Center for Advanced Computer Studies. Since its inception, CACS has demonstrated a strong contribution to high-quality education and research in the fields of computer science and engineering.
In the mid-1980s, the Quadrangle got a new look when intersecting sidewalks were poured, drainage was improved and landscaping was added.
In the mid-1980s, the Quadrangle got a new look when intersecting sidewalks were poured, drainage was improved and landscaping was added.
Athletics
In 1974, USL joined NCAA Division I for all sports.
Ragin' Cajuns Men's Basketball made its first official NCAA Tournament appearance in 1982.
Track and field star Hollis Conway won the silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.