High-resolution, full color images available online
Search, browse, read, and print yearbook pages
View college, high school, and military yearbooks
Browse our digital annual library spanning centuries
Support the schools in our program by subscribing
Privacy, as we do not track users or sell information
Page 22 text:
“
uring the next dec- ade, LSU was to come under a dynamic and color- ful influence that would carry it into a new era; that is, the regime of Huey P. Long (1928- 1935). In the short span of six years, the University would develop into one of the leading universities of the time. After moving to a new plant in 1926, the University did not expand its facili- ties as rapidly as at the old Campus. In 1928 with an enrollment of only eighteen-hundred students, LSU was considered a third ranked school rank- ing eighty-eighth in size among Ameri- can universities. This lack in develop- ment stemmed directly from inadequate financial support from the State. This inadequate funding could be directly attributed to Louisianians ' atti- tudes toward education, which had developed after the Civil War. They seemed content with second or third rate education. They knew the schools were inadequate, which was primarily due to the poverty in the South, and knew nothing could be done about it. There was a man to come who would change this attitude. That man was Huey P. Long. Through his direct relationship with LSU, higher educa- tion in Louisiana would take a turn for the better. In the first year of his term as gover- nor, Long dealt very little with the Uni- versity. His first real contact with it came through the LSU Cadet Band in 1930. He had ambitious plans to expand LSU, and he chose an organiza- tion that was seen, heard, and under- stood by all to start this expansion idea. He came to their practices, helped expand it and even lead it in parades. This was the start of Long ' s interven- tion into LSU ' s future. Long ' s first major step in the Uni- versity ' s affairs came when President Thomas W. Atkinson decided to resign and a new successor was being sought. For many years University officials did not believe in any intervention by the governor in such matters, but Long would succeed in putting in a man of his own. That man was James Monroe Smith, former dean of the College of Educa- tion of Southwestern Louisiana Insti- tute. He was a good administrator, who would not hesitate in devising new pol- icies for the University. Through him, Long was able to fulfill his new plans for the University ' s expansion. Long ' s plans for expanding LSU came in 1930 with one of the largest building programs in its history. Late in that year, he suggested to Smith that they enlarge the physical plant and promised financial support for the pro- jects. During those pre-depression years, money was appropriated for at least eight construction projects plus added money for increased operating expenses and for salaries of new faculty members. The way Long financed these pro- jects was well devised. He stated that more land was needed for the new state capital for office buildings. The sur- rounding land which once held the Old Campus was still owned by the University, and the gradual buying of this land would guarantee money for future projects such as a new medical school in New Orleans. Some of the new construction on campus was the building of a new Music and Dramatic Arts building and fine arts building. Girls ' dorms such as Smith (now known as Pleasant Hall), Evangeline, Annie Boyd, Highland, Louise Graig, and Grace King Halls were built. The football stadium was enlarged and a gymnasium was built. A new field house was also built and named after Huey P. Long. It was a stu- dent center with lounges, post office, and a swimming pool. Major Troy Mid- dleton, ROTC commander and soon to be famous World War II Army com- mander, first presented the plan for a swimming pool to Long with an expected construction cost of seventy- two thousand dollars. When Long fin- ished with it, the pool was to cost one- half million dollars. One day when inspecting the construction of the pool, Middleton commented that he thought the United States Naval Academy pool was larger. Long immediately ordered ten more feet put on the pool, making it one of the largest in the country. During this time also, the faculty expanded greatly from 168 in 1928 to 245 in 1935. Many professors from the Northern schools came to teach and the faculty started gaining national atten- tion. The enrollment also gained with a jump from eighteen-hundred students to forty-two hundred in six years. LSU went quickly from eighty-eighth in rank in the U.S. to twentieth. During all these expansion years, Long was a frequent visitor to the cam- pus. As one account reads: Huey ' s antics at LSU have fascinated all observ- ers. They have wondered why a gover- nor would want to lead a band or give a pep talk to the football team. Some have put it down to a juvenile quality in the adult Huey. He had never been an undergraduate or enjoyed the delights of college life, they say, and he was only recreating an existence that he had always hoped for. Long ' s activity in the student life at LSU was extensive. At one time he even brought injured football players home to the mansion to recuperate. He had meetings with the student body even after he was gov- ernor and in the U.S. Senate, he planned train rides to football games and special programs. Huey P. Long became an integral factor in the building of LSU into a nationally renowned institution. He once vowed, We are going to make this school as complete a school as we can. The means in which he accom- plished this may be questionable to some, but Long placed his mark in LSU and steered it into a new era. As he once said to a Washington reporter, Hell, I ' ve got a university down in Louisiana Quotes and paraphrase from Huey Long by T. Harry Williams (New York: Ban tan Books, 1970). 20 Nostalgia
”
Page 21 text:
“
hortly after the occupation of the new University plant came the most significant event in Louisiana ' s and the Universi- ty ' s history, the dedication of the new university. The plans were to have it on January 2, 1926. the sixty-sixth anniver- sary of the university, but the plans were changed to April 30, the anniver- sary of the admittance of Louisiana into the Union as a state. It was a gala event and one of the most impressive and col- orful events seen in Baton Rouge for many years. The dedication ceremonies of the new Louisiana State University brought approximately 3,500 people, including military and educational leaders and prominent statesmen, to the campus for the three-day exercises that lasted from Friday, April 30, 1926, to Sunday, May 2, 1926. In a setting of pageantry and splendor, with all the color and impres- sive display befitting the occasion, the formal dedication of the University and of the War Memorial Tower took place Friday morning. The event included congratulations from President Coolidge to the Univer- sity for the completion of their educa- tional plant delivered by his representa- tive and many speeches. President Thomas Boyd welcomed the crowd and gave a short review of the history of the school. Former Governor John M. Parker to whom so much credit is due for the building of the new University brought greetings from leaders in the movement for a greater agriculture col- lege. Many speakers followed these two men and the festivities carried on throughout the day. On Saturday, a public inspection of the grounds and buildings was held. The day held many banquets and speeches for the public and the alumni. That afternoon, every- one gathered to watch a decisive victory over Tulane by LSU in a dual track and field meet. The festivities ended on Sunday with church services, and the new LSU was on its way to make its own history. on Aftit 30. 1926 --. .
Are you trying to find old school friends, old classmates, fellow servicemen or shipmates? Do you want to see past girlfriends or boyfriends? Relive homecoming, prom, graduation, and other moments on campus captured in yearbook pictures. Revisit your fraternity or sorority and see familiar places. See members of old school clubs and relive old times. Start your search today!
Looking for old family members and relatives? Do you want to find pictures of parents or grandparents when they were in school? Want to find out what hairstyle was popular in the 1920s? E-Yearbook.com has a wealth of genealogy information spanning over a century for many schools with full text search. Use our online Genealogy Resource to uncover history quickly!
Are you planning a reunion and need assistance? E-Yearbook.com can help you with scanning and providing access to yearbook images for promotional materials and activities. We can provide you with an electronic version of your yearbook that can assist you with reunion planning. E-Yearbook.com will also publish the yearbook images online for people to share and enjoy.
