In 1959, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the establishment of LSUA as a two-year commuter college under the governance of the LSU Board of Supervisors. LSUA registered its first students in September of 1960. The first degree program, an Associate in Nursing degree, was initiated in the Division of Nursing in 1964.
The additional academic divisions of Liberal Arts, Business Administration, and Sciences were created in 1967. In 1974, LSUA was accredited by the Commission on 吃瓜直播s of the Southern Association of 吃瓜直播s and Schools (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. This accreditation was reaffirmed in 1984, 1994, and 2004.
Only one associate degree was available at LSUA from 1964 to March 1986, when the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees were approved. Over the next 15 years, several associate degree and certificate programs were added that the university continues to offer including:
From 1976 through Spring 2003, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical 吃瓜直播 offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior 吃瓜直播. Initially, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of General Studies were offered. The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was added in 1982-83.
Nelson Mandela once said 鈥淭he youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.鈥� For one Louisiana State University of Alexandria student, tomorrow has come a little early.
Just a week ago, Jonathan Gros, a junior English Education major from Pineville, Louisiana, was utilizing his 3D printer to tinker with creating Avengers figurines and items for the children鈥檚 Sunday school class that he teaches at his local church.
His phone rang from an unknown number. Upon the completion of that call, Jonathan was quickly thrust into the COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts.
The call came from Rapides Parish School Board Technology Director of four years, Luke Purdy. Luke, also a fellow 3D printer hobbyist, had been given Jonathan鈥檚 information from a Bolton High School teacher who had previously solicited Jonathan鈥檚 help to repair her 3D printer.
Prior to talking with Jonathon, Luke had been working to create personal protective equipment, or PPE, using his own 3D printer. With little progress, he decided to seek help.
鈥淏efore I contacted Jonathan, my progress was slow. I had only made items for two masks,鈥� Purdy said. 鈥淛onathan鈥檚 assistance, including teaching me about my printer and explanation of troubleshooting, was instrumental in improving my production.鈥�
Since talking to Jonathan, Luke鈥檚 speed and efficiency in printing has greatly increased.
The relationship that Luke and Jonathan formed through their conversation also helped pull Jonathan deeper into the CENLA 3D printing community. Since LSUA loaned its only 3D printer from its 吃瓜直播 of Business to St. Francis Cabrini School, Jonathan was without a network.
With permission from Jeff Powell, Superintendent of the RPSB, Purdy decided to make Jonathan an honorary member of the RPSB group.
鈥淛eff saw everything on Facebook and told me to coordinate our efforts. As great as Jonathan was to work with, I knew I wanted to include him on our team,鈥� Purdy said.
Jonathan began 3D printing in 2017 when you received his printer as a Christmas gift. Through various YouTube videos and practice, he taught himself how to operate the machine for various projects. When asked about creating the PPE, he humbly said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 not hard. I just received the file from the 3D printing group on Facebook and started making them.鈥�
Jonathan made the decision to attend LSUA because he knew he wanted to be a teacher right here in CENLA. With his ACT score and high school academics, his tuition is fully covered through the state鈥檚 TOPS programs and other scholarships. Additionally, he knew that by staying close to home, he would forge local relationships that would continue long after graduation and help him in his teaching career.
Through Luke Purdy鈥檚 description of him, 鈥淎 soft-spoken leader without trying, who is genuinely a neat and humble guy,鈥� Jonathan鈥檚 impact on CENLA will be felt long after the COVID19 crisis is over.
On June 5, 2001, following approval by the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Legislature passed legislation (Senate Bill 853) allowing Louisiana State University at Alexandria to offer baccalaureate degrees. In December 2002, SACSCOC approved a substantive change request from LSUA, thereby accrediting the university to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees.
In Fall 2003, LSUA was reorganized into colleges and departments rather than divisions. The 吃瓜直播 of Arts and Sciences is comprised of the departments of Arts, English and Humanities; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Biological Sciences; and Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The 吃瓜直播 of Professional Studies is comprised of the departments of Allied Health, Business Administration, Education, and Nursing.
LSUA began offering four baccalaureate degrees in Fall 2003: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Liberal Studies. Because there were students at LSUA who had completed upper-level course work through LSU Senior 吃瓜直播, LSUA produced its first bachelor's degree graduates in December 2003.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology, approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in March 2005, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, approved by the LSU Board in June 2006, are now offered. In 2008 the university began offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Communication Studies, and History, along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Nursing.
In addition to the Department of Education offering courses that lead to an Associate of Arts in The Care and Development of Young Children and the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, courses are offered for alternative certification in the following areas: Elementary Education, Grades 1-5; Health and Physical Education, Grades K-12; and Secondary Education, Grades 6-12 for the areas of biology, English, history, and mathematics. Students who major in biology, English, history, or mathematics may declare Secondary Education as a minor in these areas of study, earning certification to teach that subject in Grades 6-12. Add-on certifications are available for Early Childhood Education (PK-3) and Special Education in area of existing certification(s).
The Oaks, the university’s first student housing complex, opened in the fall of 2007. The complex, which includes four apartment buildings and a community center.
LSUA hired its first athletic director in January 2007 and began competing in NAIA men’s baseball and women’s fast-pitch softball in Spring 2008. In January 2010, LSUA’s new on-campus baseball-softball complex was unveiled in an opening day dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The complex is located on the north side of campus adjacent to the Fitness Center and features seats transferred from the famed Alex Box Stadium on the Baton Rouge campus.
LSUA added five sports in 2014 including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams along with women’s tennis. LSUA joined the Red River Athletic Conference in 2014. The RRAC includes Bacone 吃瓜直播 (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Texas 吃瓜直播, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley 吃瓜直播 (Texas) in addition to LSUA.
The university’s newest building, Mulder Hall, was opened in August 2011. The building is a 70,000 square-foot facility that provides 18 classrooms, 4 academic department office suites, 52 faculty offices, 2 conference rooms, a computer lab and a writing lab, a painting and drawing studio, a ceramics studio, a photography suite, and a black box theater that seats 175 people.