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.
The LSUA Foundation hosted its annual Black History Luncheon, previously scheduled for February, on Wednesday, May 25. The event featured the inspirational words of the Honorable David Michael Williams, 9th Judicial District Court Judge. The event also honored Anais Callegari, recipient of this year鈥檚 Ebony Scholarship Award.
Sheila Hudson, Assistant Registrar at LSUA, welcomed guests and set the tone for the day by announcing the theme of 鈥渉ope.鈥� She thanked the audience for their support noting, 鈥淵our contributions provide hope and support to our young people who are striving for a brighter future.鈥�
The recipient of this year鈥檚 Ebony Scholarship Award is rising sophomore Anais Callegari of Bunkie. Callegari is a psychology major maintaining a GPA above 3.75.
Connie Cooper, LSUA鈥檚 Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, introduced the keynote speaker for the celebration, the Honorable David Michael Williams. Before serving on the bench, Williams was the City Attorney for the City of Alexandria and maintained a private law practice. Williams continues to provide pro bono services as a public defender to the indigent of Natchitoches Parish.
Williams opened his speech on the importance of honoring Black history by enumerating a list of faults in his formative years. He noted the frequent trips to the principal鈥檚 office in elementary and high school and the mischief many people experience in college. Williams explained that in each case, he was scolded and counseled by black leaders in power who used their position to encourage him to do better. These were truly formative experiences for him.
Williams continued with a story about his grandfather tirelessly tilling the rocky soil at his home in preparation for planting peach trees. And like his grandfather who would not see the literal fruits of his labor but had to trust his descendants would taste it for themselves, Williams connected listeners to the great Black pioneers of law, Louis Berry and Jane Matilda Bolin, who became the first Black lawyer in Alexandria and the first black female judge in America, respectively. Of his own election to the bench, Williams proclaimed, 鈥淲e all stand on the shoulders of those before us.鈥�
In closing, Williams issued two 鈥渙rders鈥� from the bench (i.e. the podium). He implored listeners to find a young person in their lives in whom they can invest time, care, and guidance. Additionally, he commanded the crowd to love their neighbor. Williams noted that young people are used to adults popping into their lives; someone gives a speech, someone talks to their class, or someone shows up once at practice. 鈥淏ut,鈥� Williams concluded, 鈥渢hey need people invested in their lives now, even if we do not get to see the fruits of our labor.鈥�
LSUA is committed to celebrating Black excellence throughout the year and join with central Louisiana in committing to nurture and care for our young people striving toward their bright futures.
For more information about the LSUA Foundation, visit .
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish and Cameron Mosely
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.