Dillard University: A Legacy of Education and Empowerment
Dillard University, a private historically black university (HBCU) in New Orleans, Louisiana, stands as a testament to the enduring power of education and the pursuit of social justice. From its humble beginnings in 1869 to its current status as a leading liberal arts institution, Dillard has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of African American students and contributing to the advancement of society. The university offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees in over 35 majors.
The Genesis of Dillard: A Merger of Missions
The story of Dillard University begins with the convergence of two institutions: Straight University and Union Normal School. In 1869, with support from the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church (now the United Church of Christ) and the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (now the United Methodist Church), these two schools were founded. Straight University, named for businessman and philanthropist Seymour Straight, and Union Normal School, established to train African-American teachers, addressed the critical need for education among the newly emancipated population in the post-Civil War South. Straight University also offered professional training, including a law department from 1874 to 1886.
Over time, Straight University and Union Normal School evolved into Straight College and New Orleans University, respectively. New Orleans University expanded its offerings to include a secondary school, Gilbert Academy, and a medical department, which comprised the Flint Medical College and the Sarah Goodridge Hospital and Nurse Training School.
The Birth of Dillard University: A Vision for the Future
In 1930, a pivotal decision was made to merge New Orleans University and Straight College, giving rise to Dillard University. This merger was driven by a shared vision among local Black and White leaders to create a larger, more prominent African-American institution of higher learning in New Orleans and the broader South. The trustees of the new university called for the implementation of a coeducational, interracial school, serving a predominantly African American student body adhering to Christian principles and values.
The university was named in honor of James Hardy Dillard, a distinguished academician dedicated to educating African Americans. The new university was created to "… offer a traditional liberal arts curriculum-rather than nonprofessional, vocational training" and emphasize a close engagement with the Black community through "various education extension programs, societies, and clubs." Its development was tempered by the Jim Crow era. Many local whites took issue with the possibility of a black president presiding over white faculty members.
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Dillard University opened its doors in the fall of 1935, attracting prominent scholars such as Horace Mann Bond, psychology and education; Frederick Douglass Hall, music; Lawrence D. Reddick, history; and St. Clair Drake, sociology and anthropology.
Early Leadership and Growth
Will W. Alexander was chosen to be the acting president of Dillard University, serving from 1935 to 1936. At the time of his appointment, he was director of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation (CIC), which actively campaigned against lynching and conducted research studies of issues pertaining to "Negro welfare" and other Southern "problems." Edgar B. Stern Sr, an influential and diplomatic member of Dillard's board of trustees, suggested Will W. Alexander as a compromise candidate for president. A white Southern preacher, he became Dillard's first acting president (1935-1936). His experience as the director of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation proved valuable.
A new era began with the appointment of William Stuart Nelson as Dillard's first president in 1936. A noted educator and administrator in higher education, Nelson became the first African American to lead the institution. During his four-year tenure (1936-1940), Nelson took to heart the missionary ideal of liberal arts education in a manner that would leave a lasting impression on the university's curriculum. He was instrumental in the implementation of a major arts festival. The gathering created a venue for local artists and national figures to enjoy and debate the nature of African American art - past, present and future. Nelson sought to foster a sense of "cultural enlightenment and participation." His dedication to the arts laid the foundation for a tradition at Dillard that extends to the present day.
Navigating Challenges and Achieving Milestones
In 1941, Albert W. Dent was named the university’s second president. Prior to this appointment, Dent served as the university’s hospital administrator. Although he had not earned an advanced degree, Dent proved himself to be a remarkable president and an effective leader in the international field of health administration during his 28-year tenure. He guided Dillard through the challenging decades of World War II, the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power movement. During his presidency, Dillard became the first and only university with an accredited nursing program in Louisiana.
Dent also proved to be a pioneer. Having proven himself to be an effective superintendent of Flint-Goodridge Hospital, Dent declared that “a nursing program in Dillard University should develop better persons as well as better nurses; persons who will provide leadership in an increasingly important profession.” Therefore, establishing a nursing program was a logical next step. Dent’s vision became a reality in 1942 when Dillard became the first institution of higher learning in Louisiana to establish an accredited baccalaureate program in nursing.
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Under Dent, Dillard’s national and international profile as a liberal arts institution grew. Part of that growth was attracting notable guest speakers as part of his Edwin R. Embree Memorial Lecture Series which saw figures as Eleanor Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall and Ralph Bunche.
A Commitment to Liberal Arts and Academic Excellence
The appointment of Broadus N. Butler, a Southern intellectual, as the university’s third president marked a renewed commitment to the liberal arts. Butler’s most important contribution to the university’s intellectual life was the implementation of the Scholars-Statesman Lecture Series, housed in the Division of Social Sciences.
Under the leadership of Samuel DuBois Cook, Dillard’s curriculum was strengthened and expanded and the number and percentage of faculty members holding doctoral degrees was increased. Recognizing that students required preparation for an increasingly competitive international and multicultural marketplace, Cook set out to expand Dillard’s offerings. In 1989, Cook created the Dillard University National Conference on Black-Jewish Relations from which sprang the Dillard University National Center for Black-Jewish Relations. He added the Japanese studies program in 1990 to prepare students for business and international relations opportunities.
Modernization and Transformation
On July 1, 1997, Michael L. Lomax was named the fifth president of Dillard University. Lomax led an aggressive campaign to renovate and modernize campus facilities. In spring 2004, construction was completed on the Dillard University International Center for Economic Freedom (DUICEF).
On July 1, 2005, Dr. Marvalene Hughes began her tenure as the sixth and first woman president of the university. She was soon faced with the challenges of Hurricane Katrina. After weathering the storm with grace and dignity, she began to guide Dillard through its transformation toward new heights. With unwavering determination, Dr. Hughes facilitated the rebuilding of Dillard’s historic, 55-acre campus, which lost more than $400 million to physical damage and business interruption.
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In 2007, Dillard devised a comprehensive strategic plan to hasten recovery and guide the school’s future. The following year, Dillard launched its successful capital campaign, "Advantage Dillard!" exceeding the goal of raising $70 million for six priority areas. In addition, two new buildings were added to the campus’ landscape, the Professional Schools and Sciences Building, and the Student Union and Health & Wellness Center. Both buildings are LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.
On July 1, 2012, Dr. Walter Kimbrough became the seventh president in the history of Dillard University. Known as the "Hip-Hop Prez," he has demonstrated a commitment to emerging higher education trends, social media and, above all, the youth of today.
Dillard Today
Today, Dillard University continues to uphold its legacy of academic excellence, social responsibility, and cultural enrichment. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in various disciplines, preparing students for success in their chosen fields.
Dillard's commitment to research is evident through its membership in the Council of Undergraduate Research and the National Council of Undergraduate Research. The university's Office of Undergraduate Research provides workshops and resources to support students in conducting research and creative projects. Students can participate in A Katrina Recovery Initiative (AKRI), Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LAMP), and the Undergraduate Research & Creative Work Competition.
The Dillard athletic teams are called the Bleu Devils and Lady Bleu Devils. Students of Dillard University participate in sports including basketball, cross country, track and field, and volleyball. The university is a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Dillard University's campus, designed by architect Moïse H. Goldstein, is located on 55 acres (22.3 ha) in the suburban-like Gentilly neighborhood of the New Orleans 7th Ward district. The campus is anchored by Neoclassical architecture and live oak trees. Notable buildings on campus include Rosenwald Hall, Samuel DuBois Cook Fine Arts and Communications Center, Stern Hall, Dent Hall, Will W. Alexander Library, Lawless Memorial Chapel, Camphor Hall, Hartzell Hall, Straight Hall, Williams Hall, Gentilly Gardens, and Kearny Hall.
Notable Alumni
Dillard University has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including:
- Cecil Carter ’62: Civil Rights Activist
- Dave Dennis ’68: Civil Rights Activist
- Dr. Barbara Guillory Thompson ’57: Trailblazing Integrationist
- Pearlie Elloie ’60: Trailblazing Integrationist
- Fannie C. Williams: Renowned Educator
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