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.
As the Louisiana State University of Alexandria wraps up its 60th Anniversary celebration this year, it is only fitting that another major milestone be reached.
At Friday鈥檚 drive-thru commencement, a diploma will be distributed for the first graduate in the World Religions degree program.
Taylor Rogers, Alexandria native and Holy Savior Menard High School graduate, will be the first student to have completed the coursework in the recently established program.
鈥淚 absolutely loved the World Religions program. Coming out of high school I knew I wanted something with theology or philosophy and after meeting with Dr. (Holly) Wilson regarding the coursework, I was sold on the program and LSUA,鈥� said Rogers.
Dr. Holly Wilson, chair of the Department of Arts and Sciences, spear-headed the addition of the program in 2018.
鈥淲hen we first met for advising, we got into great conversations about Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. He is well read outside of school, loves to learn, and is a delight to teach,鈥� said Wilson.
Taking his love for learning to the next level, Rogers plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in counseling for clinical mental health. Ultimately, he wants to open a private practice right here in Alexandria.
鈥淚 knew I wanted to stay local after high school and that remains even now. I love where I鈥檓 from and want to give back to this community in the form of work and church,鈥� Rogers said.
Rogers won鈥檛 be settling down alone. He and fianc茅e Molly Parks, also from Alexandria, both want to keep root rights here in Central Louisiana. Rogers and Parks met at LSUA and have been key contributors to the Catholic Student Organization where Taylor has also served as CSO President.
Not only did Rogers attend LSUA with his fianc茅e, but also with his fraternal twin brother, Austin Rogers. The two have been together nearly their whole lives including high school, at LSUA, and will even walk across the same stage at Friday鈥檚 commencement.
鈥淚t is a pretty neat thing,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淲e have done everything together our whole lives, so I鈥檓 pretty excited about being able to have this moment with him (Austin) also. Although I do have to say, everyone here at LSUA is like family. It is such a close-knit community where everyone has your best interest at heart. I have loved my time here (at LSUA).鈥�
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.