Notable New Orleanians: A Tricentennial Tribute

Dillard University is a private, historically
black liberal arts college in New Orleans. In
keeping with its motto Ex Fide, Fortis–
“Strength Through Faith”–Dillard is affiliated
with the United Methodist Church and the
United Church of Christ.
Founded in 1935, with roots extending
back to 1869, Dillard sits on its fifty-five-acre
campus in the Gentilly neighborhood of New
Orleans–anchored by Neoclassical architecture
and accentuated by the double-tree-lined
“Avenue of the Oaks.”
Since its inception, the school has been
inextricably linked with the history of its
community. Indeed, both of its predecessor
institutions were founded in the aftermath of
the Civil War, in large part to address the need
to educate and assist newly emancipated
African Americans in New Orleans as well as
a significant population of Free People of
Color across the region.
In 1869, Straight University and Union
Normal School were founded with the support
of the Missionary Association of the
Congregational Church–now the United
Church of Christ–and the Freedman’s Aid
Society of the United Methodist Church. They
were ultimately renamed Straight College and
New Orleans University, respectively.
Dillard University became a reality in 1935,
with the merger of Straight College and New
Orleans University. Flint Goodridge Hospital
was the signature achievement of the merger.
Named in honor of James H. Dillard, the
school was founded with the mission of implementing
“a coeducational, interracial school,
serving a predominantly African American
student body adhering to Christian principles
and values.” Another notable accolade,
Dillard is the first University in the
state of Louisiana to have an accredited
Nursing Program.
Dillard has emerged today as a
highly-regarded institution. Its students
work towards degrees in twenty-one academic
majors including: Film, Physics,
Business Administration, Nursing, Public
Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
The Dillard University Ray Charles
Program in African American Material
Culture is the first and only program at a
historically black university and an American
university that celebrates, preserves and
researches the influences of culture, cuisine,
traditions and the South; and a robust Pre-
Law program with a competitive and ranked
mock trial team.
Dillard is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools; designated
among Historically Black Colleges and
Universities; a founding member of the
United Negro College Fund; and a premier
undergraduate research center.
As it approaches its 150th year of operation
in 2019, the University has been cited by U.S.
News & World Report as the eleventh ranked
HBCU and by Washington Monthly for being in
the top twenty percent (49 out of 240) national
liberal arts universities in the United States.
Dillard University’s ongoing commitment to
academic excellence continues, and it is
poised for an even brighter future.
DILLARD
UNIVERSITY
Top: Garret Morris celebrating as he
receives his diploma.
Below: Students studying in the dorm.
QUALITY OF LIFE
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