��˾�� 125th Anniversary

��˾�� 125th Anniversary

Since 1898, our University has provided service, vision and leadership to Louisiana and to its people.

Those words – Service. Vision. Leadership. Louisiana. – have retained immense meaning for us for 125 years. They are at the core of the work we have done and that we will continue to do, and that’s why we chose them as the theme for our year-long birthday observance.

Preparing students for lives of purpose and success is an act of service.

Anticipating challenges and harnessing the power of our brightest minds to answer them helps us envision a better future.

Bringing people together for a common cause is a hallmark of leadership.

And we do all these things – and more – for the good of Louisiana, the place we’re proud to call home.

We want you to be a part of our anniversary celebrations, and this website offers you an opportunity to do just that. As alumni, friends, employees, students – each of you has played a role in the University’s growth and success over the past 125 years. And together, we can lay a foundation to ensure the next 125 are just as extraordinary.

Happy birthday, ��˾��

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Historical Highlights

In 1898, the Louisiana General Assembly adopted Act 162, authored by Sen. Robert Martin, to establish Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. In January 1900, SLII’s Board of Trustees selected ��˾�� as the institute’s permanent home.

DeClouet Hall 1904 — DeClouet Hall was under construction in 1903. The Main Building, later named Martin Hall, is in the background.

first graduation class — Shown are nine of the 18 members of Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute’s first graduating class.

SLII — The Corps of Cadets and Institute Brass Band form the S, the girl’s gymnasium class and girl’s basketball team shaped the L, and the football team and cooking school class, respectively, made the two Is.

1922 aerial — In 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.

1920s dancers — In 1928, a physical education class performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Cypress Grove. The grove, once a pig sty, was used for performances and commencement ceremonies before it was intentionally flooded during World War II.

Babin gateway — Babin Memorial Gateway was dedicated in 1936.

1927 S Club — The “S Club” was composed of outstanding students who earned athletic letters in football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis. Shown in 1927 are eight members.

Campus arches in 1942 — 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.

V-12 Cadets — SLI operated Navy and Marine V-5, V-7, and V-12 military programs from 1943-1945. The infusion of military personnel kept enrollment high enough during World War II to prevent closure of the school.

During World War II, SLI was thought to be a potential target of enemy aerial raids because of its military training programs. Cypress Grove was flooded to create a reservoir to be used to fight fires if the Germans or Japanese dropped bombs.

Christiana Smith — In 1954, four Black students filed a successful federal lawsuit to enroll to SLI after they were denied admission based on their race. As a result, SLI became the first formerly all-white, state-funded college in the South to integrate.

Hebrard Boulevard in 1957. It was named in honor of Gabrielle Hebrard, head of SLI’s French Department from 1910-1937.

1960 Vermilion cover — On July 27, 1960, Gov. Jimmie Davis signed Act 123, changing SLI’s name to the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

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.

Martin Hall demolition — The new Martin Hall was built just a few feet behind the first building constructed on campus. First known as the Main Building, the original structure was torn down in 1963. This photo shows both buildings before demolition began.

USL joined NCAA Division 1 for all sports in 1974.

canoe races from the first Lagniappe Day — Lagniappe Day, a campus holiday that includes a crawfish boil and canoe races, began in 1974.

Robotics — 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.

USL quad in the 80s — In the mid-1980s the Quadrangle got a new look when intersecting sidewalks were poured, drainage was improved and landscaping was added.

Texas A&M game — Exuberant fans ripped down a goalpost after the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 29-22 win over Texas A&M on Sept. 14, 1996, at Cajun Field. A total of 38,780 people attended the matchup.

During a celebration of its centennial on Sept. 10, 1999, a new name made its debut: the ��˾��.

In 2004, the Hilliard Art Museum opened on the University campus; it is the largest exhibit space between Houston and New Orleans.

CAPE satelite — In 2007, UL ��˾�� became the first university in Louisiana to design, build and launch a working satellite when engineering students launched CAPE-1. Two additional CAPE satellites would follow in 2013 and 2021.

Sscreenshot of the University's master plan — The Master plan was launched in 2012 to govern campus growth and development, the first such plan in University history.

Student using virtual computer — In 2012, the Center for Visual and Decision Informatics was established in partnership with Drexel University. It is the nation’s only NSF center that focuses on data science, big data analytics and visual analytics.

Nurses working in simulation lab — In 2021, LHC Group invested $20 million in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the largest philanthropic gift in University history.

Stephens Hall — In 2021, the University earned R1 status, placing it among top 3% of nation’s higher education institutions.

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Looking Back__

Produced in 1999, this Centennial video covers the first 100 years of the University. Experience the sights and sounds of UL ��˾��&){ var i,e,d=document,s="script";i=d.createElement("script");i.async=1;i.charset="UTF-8"; i.src="https://cdn.curator.io/published/3bd5ae66-d7d5-41d1-a95e-93cf7a71dfc3.js"; e=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];e.parentNode.insertBefore(i, e); })();