Dillard University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Dillard University

Former names	Straight University (1868–1915) Straight College (1915–1930) Union Normal School (1868–1915) New Orleans University (1915–1930)
Motto	Ex Fide, Fortis
Motto in English	"Strong Through Faith" (lit. "Out of faith, strong")
Type	Private historically black university
Established	1869
Religious affiliation	United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church
Academic affiliations	UNCF Space-grant
Endowment	$100 million
President	Rochelle L. Ford
Provost	Mablene Krueger (Interim)
Students	1,301
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana , U.S. 29°59′42″N 90°03′55″W / 29.99500°N 90.06528°W / 29.99500; -90.06528
Campus	Urban
Colors	Royal Blue & White
Nickname	Bleu Devils and Lady Bleu Devils
Sporting affiliations	NAIA – GCAC
Mascot	Bleu Devils

Dillard University is a private university in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is known as a historically black university (HBCU). This means it was founded to provide higher education for African Americans. The university started in 1930. It brought together older schools that began as early as 1869, right after the American Civil War. Dillard University is connected to the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.

The Story of Dillard University

The history of Dillard University goes back to 1869. That's when two important schools were founded: Straight University (later called Straight College) and Union Normal School (which became New Orleans University).

Straight University's Beginning

After the American Civil War, many newly freed African Americans in New Orleans needed education. To help with this, the American Missionary Association (AMA) started Straight University on June 12, 1868.

Straight University also taught job skills. It even had a law department for a while. Its graduates helped with important changes in the country, especially during the time after the Civil War when civil rights were being fought for. In 1915, Straight University changed its name to Straight College. This name better showed the types of courses it offered.

Union Normal School and New Orleans University

The Union Normal School was started on July 8, 1868. It was created by the Freedman's Aid Society to train teachers. This group also found teachers in the North to come South and educate freed people and their children.

The AMA helped start other historically black colleges too, like Clark Atlanta University and Howard University. Both Straight University and Union Normal School grew over time. They started by teaching elementary school teachers. But soon, they added high school, college, and professional courses.

New Orleans University also had a high school called Gilbert Academy. By the 1890s, it offered medical training. This included a pharmacy school and a hospital that trained nurses. After the medical college closed in 1911, the Flint Goodridge Hospital continued to train nurses.

Creating Dillard University: 1930–1935

Leaders in New Orleans, both Black and White, wanted to create a bigger, more important college for African Americans. Because of money problems and talks between Straight College and New Orleans University, they decided to join together. They officially started Dillard University on June 6, 1930.

The new university was named after James H. Dillard. It was meant to offer a classic college education, not just job training. It also wanted to work closely with the Black community through different programs and clubs. This was during the Jim Crow era, a time when laws kept Black and White people separate. Some local white people were not happy about a Black president leading white teachers. They also worried about more African-American students riding buses in their neighborhood.

Edgar B. Stern Sr, a wise member of Dillard's board, suggested Will W. Alexander as the first acting president (1935–1936). He was a white Southern preacher who had experience working to improve relationships between different races. Dillard University opened in the fall of 1935. It attracted famous scholars like Horace Mann Bond (psychology) and St. Clair Drake (sociology).

Hurricane Katrina's Impact

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage to the campus. The university is near a levee that broke, causing widespread flooding. One building, Nelson Hall, was destroyed by fire. A bus fire also ruined the belongings of 37 students who were being evacuated.

In spring 2006, Dillard students took classes at temporary locations. The university held its graduation ceremony on campus, as usual, in July 2006. Students were able to return to campus in September 2006.

Ray Charles Program

In 2003, the famous musician Ray Charles left money in his will for Dillard University. He gave $1 million to create a special teaching position. This position focuses on African-American culinary history. It was the first of its kind in the country and is called the Ray Charles Program.

2016 Senatorial Debate

In November 2016, a media company rented space at Dillard University. They wanted to host a debate for candidates running for senator. The university did not know who the candidates would be when the agreement was made months earlier. Some people protested the event, and a few were arrested.

Partnership with Ross University

In 2019, Dillard University teamed up with Ross University School of Medicine. This partnership aims to help more African Americans become doctors in the United States.

MacKenzie Scott's Gift

In 2020, MacKenzie Scott gave Dillard University $5 million. This was the largest single gift the university had ever received.

What Students Study

Dillard University offers many different college degrees. Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. There are over 35 main subjects to choose from. These subjects are grouped into four main colleges, which are then divided into departments.

Student Research

Dillard University encourages students to do their own research. Most departments offer classes on how to do research. The university also holds workshops to help students write proposals, look at data, and work with people in their studies. Students can join special projects like the Katrina Recovery Initiative. The university even publishes a journal called the Dillard University Journal of Undergraduate Research (DUJOUR). This journal shares the findings of student research projects.

Institute of Jazz Culture

The Institute of Jazz Culture (IOJC) started in 2002. It was created to connect the community, jazz music, and education. Today, it creates lessons and programs about jazz for both college and high school students.

Special Degree Programs

Dillard has special "dual degree" programs. This means students can study at Dillard and another university at the same time. They can earn two degrees in different subjects. Some partner schools include Louisiana State University and Columbia University.

Sports at Dillard

The sports teams at Dillard are called the Bleu Devils (for men) and Lady Bleu Devils (for women). The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They mostly compete in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).

Dillard has 12 different sports teams.

• Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, tennis, and track & field.
• Women's sports include basketball, cross country, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
• There are also co-ed teams for cheerleading and dance.

Sports Facilities

The Dillard basketball and volleyball teams play their games at Dent Hall.

Dillard's Campus

Dillard University campus on Gentilly Blvd.

Dillard University's campus covers about 55 acres. It is located in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. The campus has beautiful buildings with classic designs and many old oak trees. A double row of trees, called the "Avenue of the Oaks," is a main feature of the campus.

Academic Buildings

• DUICEF (Dillard University International Center for Economic Freedom) opened in 2004. It has offices for education and psychology, plus computer and language labs.
• Howard House, built in 1936, used to be a guest house. Now it's home to the business program. It's named after Alvin Pike Howard, a successful businessman who helped Dillard.
• The Professional Schools Building is the newest academic building, opened in 2010. It houses programs for business, nursing, public health, and science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Rosenwald Hall was Dillard's first permanent building, built in 1934. It was originally the campus library. It's named after Julius Rosenwald, a generous person who supported the university. This building now holds the university's main offices.
• The Samuel DuBois Cook Fine Arts and Communications Center was built in 1993. It's named after Dillard's sixth president, Samuel DuBois Cook. This building has art galleries, TV and recording studios, and departments for music and drama.
• Stern Hall is Dillard's science building, built in 1952. It's named after Edgar Bloom Stern, another important supporter of New Orleans. It has labs for nursing, natural sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics.

Athletic Facilities

• Dent Hall is the university's gym, built in 1969. It's named after Albert W. Dent, the university's third president. It's where the basketball and volleyball teams play. It also has offices, classrooms, a dance studio, a weight room, and a swimming pool.
• Henson Hall is Dillard University's old gym, built in 1950. It's named after Matthew Alexander Henson, an explorer who was the first African American to reach the North Pole. This building now holds the university's bookstore and a temporary library.

Library

• The Will W. Alexander Library was built in 1961. It's named after Dillard's first acting president, Will W. Alexander. The library has many books, journals, and historical documents. It was damaged by Hurricane Katrina but reopened in 2008.

Chapel

• Lawless Memorial Chapel was built in 1955. It's named after Alfred Lawless Jr. and his son Theodore K. Lawless. It is now called Lawless Assembly Hall. This building was the only one on campus that was not flooded by Hurricane Katrina.

On-Campus Housing

• Camphor Hall is a dormitory for female students, built in 1947. It's named after Bishop Alexander Priestly Camphor, an educator and missionary. It is connected to Hartzell Hall.
• Hartzell Hall is another dormitory, built in 1935. It's named after Joseph Crane Hartzell, a missionary bishop. It reopened in 2013 and is connected to Camphor Hall.
• Straight Hall is a dormitory built in 1936. It's named after Seymour Straight, who was important to Straight College before it joined Dillard. It reopened in 2013.
• Williams Hall is a female dormitory named after Fannie C. Williams, a famous educator from New Orleans. It became a co-ed dorm in 2014.
• Gentilly Gardens offers apartment-style housing on campus for junior and senior students.
• The Nelson Complex used to be three buildings for student housing. It was named after William Nelson, the first African American president of the university. It was destroyed by fire during Hurricane Katrina.

Student Center

• Kearny Hall is the student center, built in 1935. It's named after Warren Kearny, a Dillard University Trustee. It's in the middle of campus and has a lounge, post office, and cafeteria. The cafeteria was updated in 2019.

President's House

The president's residence was built in 1936. It has been home to six of Dillard's presidents. Today, it serves as the Alumni House.

Famous People from Dillard

Many notable people have attended Dillard University, Straight University, or New Orleans University. Here are a few:

Images for kids

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  An early building on the Straight University campus.

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  New Orleans College, around 1920.