Dillard University

Dillard University is a private, historically black university located in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1869, it is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ. The university is named for James Hardy Dillard, an educator and advocate for African American advancement, and is renowned for its liberal arts curriculum and commitment to social justice.

History

The institution was formed in 1930 by the merger of two earlier New Orleans-based institutions: Straight University, founded in 1869 by the American Missionary Association with ties to the Congregational church, and Union Normal School, established in 1869 by the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This consolidation created a stronger, unified HBCU in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Under the leadership of presidents like Albert W. Dent, who served from 1941 to 1969, the university expanded its academic programs and physical plant. The campus suffered catastrophic damage during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but underwent a remarkable, federally-assisted recovery, reopening in 2006 with restored and new facilities, symbolizing resilience.

Academics

Dillard operates through several academic divisions, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing, and the College of Business. It is particularly noted for its strong programs in nursing, public health, and the STEM fields, with significant research activity funded by agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The university emphasizes a core liberal arts education and hosts prestigious initiatives such as the Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture. Students engage in collaborative research and can pursue dual-degree programs in fields like engineering through partnerships with institutions like Columbia University and the University of New Orleans.

Campus

The 55-acre campus, largely rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, features a blend of historic and modern architecture. Notable buildings include the Professional Schools and Sciences Building, the Will W. Alexander Library, and the Lawless Memorial Chapel, a designated New Orleans Historic District Landmark. The campus is anchored by the Samuel DuBois Cook Center, a social justice research facility, and the Georges Auditorium. The grounds are meticulously landscaped and include the Avenue of the Oaks, contributing to its recognition as one of the most beautiful campuses in the Southern United States.

Student life

Student life is vibrant with over 60 student-led organizations, including fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council such as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Omega Psi Phi. The university's Student Government Association plays an active role in campus governance. The Bleu Devils compete in the NAIA as a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, with popular teams in basketball and track and field. Cultural and intellectual programming is robust, featuring events like the annual HBCU Battle of the Bands and lectures from prominent figures through the Rosa Parks Lecture Series.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include civil rights activist and former NAACP president L. C. Dorsey, award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, and former U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. The faculty has included renowned scholars such as historian and National Book Award finalist Lorenzo Dow Turner, a pioneer in Gullah studies, and sociologist Joyce Ladner. Other notable graduates are Ellis Marsalis Jr., the celebrated jazz pianist and educator, and Ruth Simmons, who became the first African American president of an Ivy League institution at Brown University.