Article: Public University in Hammond, Louisiana, U.S.
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University logo.png
Hammond Junior College (1925–1928)Southeastern Louisiana College (1928–1970)
Fidelitas Integritas Fortitudo Space-grant
NCAA Division I FCS – Southland
Lions and Lady Lions
Green and gold UL System
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) is a public university in Hammond, Louisiana. It was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims as Hammond Junior College. Sims succeeded in getting the campus moved to north Hammond in 1928, when it became known as Southeastern Louisiana College. It achieved university status in 1970.
In the fall of 2019 there were 14,298 students enrolled. During the 1990s, Southeastern was one of the fastest-growing colleges in the United States. The university is the third largest in Louisiana, trailing only LSU and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Southeastern's colors are green and gold, and the mascot is a lion named Roomie. Southeastern's sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (FCS for football) in the Southland Conference.
History
Hammond Junior College was created in 1925. It was managed by the Tangipahoa Parish School Board and initially offered only a teaching certificate. The college moved to the Hunter Leake estate in north Hammond in 1927 to accommodate more students. The following year, its name changed to Southeastern Louisiana College and it joined the state's educational system under the state's board of education. The campus grew in the late 1920s and 1930s with the purchase of and the construction of McGehee Hall and a gymnasium.
McGehee Hall, Southeastern Louisiana State University
Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana
Colonial Revival, Other, Neo-Georgian
Lucius McGehee Hall was built in 1935. it is the oldest building constructed by the university. McGehee Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The college's curricular offerings increased significantly in 1937 when the college received approval to offer bachelor's degrees. The first ones were awarded two years later.
Although Act 388 in 1938, an amendment to the 1920 Louisiana Constitution, granted the college the same legal status as other four-year colleges in the state, it did not provide for increased funding for the college.
In 1946 the college received initial accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Subsequent enrollment growth following the end of World War II required additional expansion and construction. This included the use of two steel barracks donated to the college; these were used as dormitories and named McNeely Hall (which was demolished in 2007).
The college's curricular offerings grew again in 1960 when the college established the Division of Graduate Studies. The college awarded its first graduate degree in 1967, the Education Specialist degree. The college completed the War Memorial Student Union in the mid-1960s; it claims to be "the only student union building in the United States dedicated to alumni who died in World War II." In 1970, the institution officially became Southeastern Louisiana University.
After years of planning and fundraising, the Southeastern Louisiana University Center was constructed. An 8000-seat (more if the floor level is used) arena, the University Center hosts all home basketball games and a variety of civic, cultural, and big-name entertainment events.
Fanfare, a festival celebrating the arts, humanities, and sciences, was begun in October 1986 by university faculty. It has grown into a month-long event.
In 1996 SLU joined the University of Louisiana System.
The university began to implement screened admissions standards in the fall of 2000. The following year, Southeastern took ownership of the historic Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Hammond. The theater is operated by a separate foundation and presents a variety of theatrical works, concerts, and dance performances.
Southeastern Louisiana University played an important role in supporting students in the state and region in 2005. The university was not damaged by Hurricane Katrina so it was able to host nearly two thousand students from areas that were effected. A fountain was dedicated in 2007 to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita; it is the only such memorial fountain in existence.
Southeastern offers has its University Center for commencement exercises of high schools throughout the Northshore Region and actively encouraging area high school students to continue on to the university level.
Southeastern owns the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in Hammond's Historic District. First opened in 1928, the Columbia was acquired by the university in the 1990s and renovated in the amount of $5.6 million. The large foyer is dedicated to the late State Senator John Hainkel, who was instrumental in obtaining the funding for the renovation.
Academics
Southeastern Louisiana University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate and Master's levels. Southeastern has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1946.
Southeastern consists of five colleges with 18 academic departments and programs offering over 60 degree programs.
Southeastern's state-of-the-art Sims Library houses several important collections, including the Morrison Room, the Rayburn Collection, the Pineywoods People Exhibits, and the Center for Regional Studies.The Bill Evans archives are housed at the library.
The campus is also home for the state's sole commemoration of the governorship (1936–1939) of Richard W. Leche (1898–1965). It is a large medallion on the north exterior wall of the east side of Strawberry Stadium.
Southeastern offers nursing curricula in Hammond and Baton Rouge. In a consortium with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Southeastern offers a master of science in nursing.
Southeastern became a doctoral-granting institution in 2005 with the inauguration of a doctor of education in higher education leadership.
Southeastern's business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The Southeastern Business School is located in Garret Hall. Southeastern was the first institution in Louisiana to achieve AACSB's separate and special accreditation in accounting. Graduates of both the MBA program and the Executive MBA program are serving widely in education and industry.
In the aftermath of Tulane University's post-Katrina decision to close several engineering programs including computer engineering, Southeastern received approval from the Louisiana Board of Regents to develop an undergraduate curriculum in engineering technology within the Department of Computer Science & Industrial Technology.
Campus locations
Southeastern's main campus is located in Hammond in Tangipahoa Parish.
Baton Rouge Center, Baton Rouge. The focus is nursing education.
Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center, Walker
Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station, a field research and educational facility located in Manchac, Louisiana, to study the Lake Pontchartrain estuarine ecosystem.
Student life Fraternities and sororities
There are 19 national or international social Greek letter organizations governed by three councils.
Greek life Panhellenic Council
Alpha Omicron Pi 1963
Alpha Sigma Tau 1940
Phi Mu
Sigma Sigma Sigma 1964
Theta Phi Alpha 1990
Interfraternity Council
Delta Tau Delta 1969
Kappa Alpha Order 1980 (not recognized by the university)
Kappa Sigma 1989
Pi Kappa Alpha (closed 2022)
Sigma Tau Gamma 1939
Tau Kappa Epsilon 1961 (Reinstalled 2022)
Theta Chi 2000
Theta Xi 1963 (Reinstalled 2023)
National Panhellenic Council Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Phi Alpha
Delta Sigma Theta 1976
Kappa Alpha Psi Omega Psi Phi Phi Beta Sigma Sigma Gamma Rho Zeta Phi Beta Athletics
Southeastern Louisiana sponsors 16 NCAA Division I level varsity teams compete in the Southland Conference.
Southeastern has several state-of-the-art athletic facilities, including an eight-lane all-weather running track completed in 2011 (see inset).
Media
Southeastern's major campus media and publications are the Lion's Roar (newspaper), KSLU (FM radio station), ByLion (weekly online publication), the Southeastern Channel (public access cable television channel), and Le Souvenir (official yearbook).
The Lion's Roar is the official newspaper of the students of Southeastern Louisiana University and has been in continuous publication since 1937. ByLion newsletter is published weekly online for faculty and staff. Le Souvenir is the student yearbook, published annually by students. Le Souvenir (French for "the memory") has been in continuous publication since 1929.
Southeastern's KSLU-FM radio station began operation on November 11, 1974, as a radio club at the university. In 1988, KSLU became the first radio station in the South to install a digital touchscreen operating system. The installation was featured in Broadcast Engineering magazine. In 1993, an emergency-situation room was added using amateur radio equipment purchased with grants from State Farm Insurance and Louisiana Power & Light (a subsidiary of Entergy). During critical times, this room is staffed by local ham operators, members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service in the Florida Parishes area. In 1996 KSLU began broadcasting globally via the internet. A job at KSLU was the start of the media career of Robin Roberts.
The Southeastern Channel officially began July 9, 2002. It won four Telly Awards in 2007. Staff member Steve Zaffuto won two Bronze Tellys for animation of "Native Sounds" and "Current Events" promotions, and Josh Kapusinski won a first-place Silver Telly for animation and a Bronze Telly for editing the "Florida Parish Chronicles" promo. Josh Kapusinski's "Florida Parish Chronicles" promo won a 2006 Emmy Award in the Suncoast Region.
Notable people Alumni
Amir Abdur-Rahim, college basketball coach
Robert Alford, professional football player
Wilson Alvarez, professional football player
Christine Amertil, 3 time Olympian and World Championship Silver Medalist
Billy Andrews, professional football player
Kayla Ard, college basketball coach
Horace Belton, professional football player
Bryan Bennett, professional football player
Kirk Bullinger, professional baseball player
Jerry Davis, professional football player
Donald Dykes, professional football player
Bill Evans, jazz pianist
Calvin Favron, professional football player
Gavin Fingleson, South African-born Australian, Olympic baseball player
John Fred Gourrier, lead singer of John Fred & the Playboys (Judy in Disguise)
Kevin Hughes, professional football player
Kyle Keller, professional baseball player
Cole Kelley, professional football player, Walter Payton Award Winner
Nathaniel "Big Easy" Lofton, professional basketball player and member of the Harlem Globetrotters
Wade Miley, professional baseball player
Harlan Miller, professional football player
Kevin Morgan, professional baseball player and executive
Albie Reisz, professional football player
Robin Roberts, television broadcaster
Mac Sceroler, professional baseball player
Carl Schutz, professional baseball player
Charlie Smith, Louisiana lobbyist
Bryan Spears, film and television producer
Lynne Spears, author and mother of Bryan (above), Britney, and Jamie Lynn Spears
Devonte Upson, professional basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Jeff Williams, professional baseball player
Maxie Williams, professional football player
Faculty
Rhett Allain, physicist and blogger
Alfred J. Cox John L. Crain Barbara Forrest Tim Gautreaux Michael L. Kurtz References External links
Southeastern Louisiana Lions athletics website
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Southeastern Louisiana University began as a grass-roots movement by the people of
Hammond and the surrounding area, who recognized the need for an institution of higher
education in order to further the educational, economic and cultural development of
southeast Louisiana. What began as a junior college supported by local taxes has developed
into a major university as Southeastern has grown to meet the evolving needs of southeast
Louisiana. 1925
Voters overwhelmingly approved a bond issue that created Hammond Junior College.
Operated under the auspices of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board, President Linus
A. Sims opened the doors with a faculty of three women, two men and 40 students.
The two-year co-educational institution offered basic undergraduate work in arts and
sciences that culminated in a teaching certificate.
1927
Voters supported the purchase of the Hunter Leake estate on Hammond's north end.
1928
Hammond Junior College became Southeastern Louisiana College, formally adopted into
the state educational system under the control of the State Board of Education.
The purchase of sixty acres adjoining the original fifteen-acre plot provided the
space to develop a suitable campus.
1934
A state bond issue provided for the construction of McGehee Hall and a gymnasium.
1937
The State Board of Education authorized curricula for four-year programs in liberal
arts, teacher education, business administration, music, social sciences and physical
education. 1938
Voter approval of Act No. 388, an amendment to the 1920 Louisiana Constitution, granted
Southeastern Louisiana College the same legal status as other four-year colleges.
The amendment did not, however, require the state to fund Southeastern at the level
of other institutions of higher education, despite strong local support.
1939
The first baccalaureate degrees were conferred.
1946
The State Board made available funds to purchase seven city blocks east and west of
the campus, and 275 acres of land north and northwest of the campus, increasing Southeastern's
total area to approximately 365 acres.
Southeastern was formally approved and accepted into full membership in the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) as a four-year
degree-granting institution. 1948
After World War II, returning GIs caused exponential growth of the college, necessitating
construction of classrooms, a student union, a cafeteria, a health center, dormitories,
apartments for married students and many surplus temporary buildings donated by the
federal government. The U.S. Navy contributed two steel barracks for use as dormitories.
1960
The State Board authorized Southeastern to offer master's degrees through the newly
formed Division of Graduate Studies.
1967
Southeastern began awarding the Education Specialist degree.
1970
Governor John J. McKeithen signed into law the legislative act turning Southeastern
Louisiana College into Southeastern Louisiana University.
D. Vickers Hall, the Athletics Building and the C.E. Cate Teacher Education Building
were constructed in the early 1970s.
1986
A group of faculty members launched Fanfare, a festival celebrating the arts, humanities
and sciences. Since then, Fanfare has become an acclaimed month long event, drawing
nationally and internationally recognized artists and providing recognition for those
closer to home. In addition to providing entertainment for the Northshore, Fanfare
has an educational outreach program that works closely with local schools.
1997
More than 15,000 students registered to attend Southeastern for the fall semester.
2000
Southeastern celebrated its 75th anniversary.
2001
Southeastern received full approval from the Board of Regents for its first new graduate
degree program in more than a decade, a Master of Science in Integrated Science and
Technology.
The Southeastern Village Complex, Fayard Hall and the Claude B. Pennington, Jr., Student
Activity Center were completed.
2003
Southeastern hit a record enrollment of 15,662 students.
Southeastern also saw the return of football to Strawberry Stadium after an 18-year
hiatus. The Lions completed the season 5-7.
2004
Southeastern began implementing portions of the Board of Regents Master Plan admissions
criteria, a full year ahead of schedule and before any other schools in the state.
2005
Southeastern began its first year under the full Board of Regents Master Plan admissions
criterion.
Fanfare proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary.
On August 29, just six days into the semester, Hurricane Katrina hit southeast Louisiana,
devastating the parishes of St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Tammany,
as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Southeastern fared well and suffered no major
structural damages (although the University campus did lose many trees). After the
storm, Southeastern was able to play an instrumental role in the relief effort by
providing housing for the National Guard, disaster relief teams from across the country
and utility workers. The University also provided housing for its displaced faculty,
staff and students as it re-opened its doors on September 6. In addition, the University
re-opened enrollment and provided housing for many displaced students from other universities
and community colleges in the disaster area; this also included the hiring of several
displaced faculty from these institutions. By the 14th class day, in spite of Katrina,
Southeastern had again enrolled a record-breaking number of students: 16,068.
2006
Southeastern was given approval to offer its first doctoral level program: a doctorate
in educational leadership designed to prepare a new generation of school principals,
district superintendents and other administrators. The program is offered in consortium
with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
2007
Southeastern dedicated a new campus fountain as a memorial to the victims of hurricanes
Katrina and Rita and to the citizens who responded in the wake of the sister storms
that ravished the Gulf Coast region in 2005.
Southeastern launched a free shuttle bus service called Lion Traxx to transport students,
faculty and staff across campus.
2008
Southeastern began offering a 100 percent online bachelor's degree in nursing to registered
nurses who hold associate degree or diploma programs. The program is part of a statewide
adult learning initiative known as CALL (Continuum for All Louisiana Learners).
2009
Dr. John L. Crain was invested as Southeastern's 14th president.
ACT scores among incoming freshmen reached 21.7, an increase over both state (20.1)
and national (21.1) averages.
2010
Southeastern announced an increase in admissions standards for the fall semester.
Southeastern's GRAD Act agreement was approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents.
2011
Southeastern announced its 100 percent online family nurse practitioner program offered
through the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing, a partnership
involving Southeastern, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and McNeese State University.
2012
Southeastern began offering a doctor of nursing practice degree in consortium with
the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
2013
Southeastern began offering a new accelerated bachelor's degree in information technology
program to meet local workforce demands.
Southeastern's football team competed in and won the first NCAA playoff game in school
history. 2014
Southeastern's School of Nursing celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The first phase of the $32 million Student Union renovation and construction project
opened. 2017
New Computer Science and Technology Building opens on campus. The 70,000 square foot
facility houses computer science, information technology, engineering technology,
industrial technology, and occupational safety, health and environment programs.
Southeastern named one of the lead higher education institutions of a public-private
partnership to meet workforce demands created by the arrival of DXC Technology, the
world’s leading independent Information Technology (IT) services and solutions company,
in southeast Louisiana. 2018
Southeastern opens two new residence halls, Ascension Hall and Twelve Oaks Hall, which
feature a hybrid geothermal system that draws from 220 geothermal wells situated 300
feet underground to heat and cool 556 rooms. That system is the first of its kind
for any university or state building in Louisiana and the second largest site in the
country to use such a system. It is projected to reduce energy costs by more than
50 percent, and will also serve as a learning laboratory for real world experiences
for students in various disciplines.
Since 1925, many dedicated individuals have led Southeastern from a junior college
to the vibrant university it is today: Linus A. Sims, 1925-1933; Y. L. Fontenot, 1933-1937;
J. Leon Clark, 1937-1944; George W. Bond, 1944-1945; Gladney J. Tinsley, 1945-1951;
Clark L. Barrow, 1952-1953; Luther Dyson, 1953-1967; J. B. Wooley, 1967-1968; Clea
E. Parker, 1968-1980; J. Larry Crain, 1980-1986; G. Warren Smith, 1986-1995; Sally
Clausen, 1995-2001; Randy Moffett, 2001-2008; John L. Crain, 2009-2023; William S.
Wainwright, 2023-Present. Toggle navigation MY DEN WEBMAIL CANVAS LIBRARY DIRECTORIES Contact Southeastern University Policies Accessibility ACADEMICS Apply
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