HISTORY OF LSU

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College had its origin in certain land grants made by the United States government in 1806, 1811, and 1827 for use as a seminary of learning. In 1853, the Louisiana General Assembly established the Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana near Pineville, Louisiana. The institution opened January 2, 1860, with Col. William Tecumseh Sherman as superintendent. The school closed June 30, 1861, because of the Civil War. It reopened on April 1, but was again closed on April 23, 1863, due to the invasion of the Red River Valley by the federal army. The losses sustained by the institution during the war were heavy.

The seminary reopened October 2, 1865, only to be burned October 15, 1869. On November 1, 1869, the institution resumed its exercises in Baton Rouge, where it has since remained. In 1870, the name of the institution was changed to Louisiana State University.

Louisiana State Agricultural & Mechanical College was established by an act of the legislature, approved April 7, 1874, to carry out the United States Morrill Act of 1862, granting lands for this purpose. It temporarily opened in New Orleans, June 1, 1874, where it remained until it merged with Louisiana State University in 1877.

The first Baton Rouge home of LSU was in the quarters of the Institute for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind. In 1886, the federal garrison grounds (now the site of the state capitol) were formally declared the domicile of the University. Land for the present campus was purchased in 1918, construction started in 1922, and the move began in 1925; it was not, however, until 1932 that the move was finally completed. Formal dedication of the present campus took place on April 30, 1926.

After some years of enrollment fluctuation, student numbers began a steady increase, new programs were added, curricula and faculty expanded, and a true state university emerged.

In 1978, LSU was named a sea-grant college, the 13th university in the nation to be so designated and the highest classification attainable in the program. LSU is one of only 25 universities to be designated as both land grant and sea grant.

Important Links

The History of LSU & Important Dates
Learn more about the events and people that have shaped LSU into the world-class University of the 21st century.
www.lsu.edu/visitors/history

Quick Facts
Interesting pieces of information on the University are available here.
www.lsu.edu/visitors/quickfacts

Did You Know?
Check out this site to learn fun and interesting facts about Louisiana State University!
www.lsu.edu/didyouknow

The Flagship Agenda
LSU has engaged into a plan to increase the national prominence of the university. Learn more about the Flagship Agenda and how it will benefit you as a new student and future alumnus!
www.lsu.edu/flagship

101 Things to do at LSU
Experience all that campus has to offer by completing this list of must do’s for every Tiger!

S.T.R.I.P.E.S. – A Freshman Tradition
Learn about an exciting program open to new freshman that immerse in the history & traditions of LSU. This program also prepares students for the exciting new academic journey by exposing students to the resources available to them throughout campus.
www.lsu.edu/stripes

LSU Athletics
Get connected to the world-class collegiate athletics right in your own back yard. Make it a goal to attend every sporting event available before you graduate.
www.lsusports.net