September 4 …
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) — founded on September 4, 1956 in New Orleans — is a public Historically Black University within the Southern University System.
Established during the era of segregation, the institution was created to expand access to higher education for African Americans in the New Orleans area. It opened for instruction on September 21, 1959, with a small cohort of students and a mission rooted in liberal arts education and professional preparation.
In its early years, SUNO operated from the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood, gradually expanding its academic programs in business, education, the sciences, and the social sciences. Under early leadership, such as Dr. Emmett W. Bashful, the university developed into a comprehensive institution.
Its incorporation into the Southern University System in 1974 strengthened its financial and administrative foundation. Like many historically Black colleges and universities, SUNO also played an important role in the broader struggle for civil rights and educational equity in the mid-twentieth century.
The university faced a major crisis in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina severely damaged its campus. Despite this setback, SUNO reopened within months, demonstrating institutional resilience and a strong commitment to its student body. Over time, the university has produced tens of thousands of graduates who have contributed to public service, education, law, and civic leadership.
Notable alumni include:
- Oretha Castle Haley — Prominent civil rights activist in New Orleans;
- Avery Alexander (1962) — Civil Rights Activist and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives; and
- Louis Westerfield (1971) — First African American dean of law schools at both Loyola University New Orleans and the University of Mississippi.
Southern University at New Orleans remains an important institution in African American history, reflecting both the historical struggle for higher education and the continuing impact of HBCUs on American society.
Footnotes:
- Southern University at New Orleans. About SUNO. Southern University at New Orleans. Accessed April 26, 2026.
- Southern University at New Orleans. SUNO Past, Present & Future. Southern University at New Orleans. Accessed April 26, 2026.
- “Southern University at New Orleans.” Wikipedia. Accessed April 26, 2026.
- Louis Westerfield biography, University of Mississippi School of Law archives.
- Avery Alexander papers and biographical records, Louisiana State Archives.
