Season's Greetings, Southern University Family!
This has been a very progressive year for our five campuses — Southern University Baton Rouge, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University Shreveport, Southern University Law Center, and Southern University Agricultural and Extension Center — and it’s only the beginning! Student enrollment grew, partnerships were established, buildings were erected, and alumni giving was phenomenal. As we look forward to a new year, I’d like to share with you some highlights of 2018 :
At Southern University Baton Rouge, we began a partnership with Entergy to enhance STEM programming and job opportunities for our students. The partnership was made possible with a $2 million gift from the energy corporation. Gov. John Bel Edwards also pledged a $2 million match to improve science classrooms and labs.
The Southern University Law Center was instrumental in changing an antiquated state law that did not require a unanimous jury decision to sentence offenders to life in prison. Law Center faculty, staff, and students made sure that every Louisiana citizen knew about this item on their November ballots.
Southern University at New Orleans continues to grow with a number of new state-of-the-art buildings on its lakefront campus. This year, the beautiful Millie Charles School of Social Work opened. The building’s namesake was a social worker pioneer, educator, civil rights, community and social justice activist. Additionally, SUNO received $44 million in federal loan forgiveness for housing facilities.
The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center moved forward with a historic medical marijuana program and received the first payment of $2.15 million. As one of only two higher education institutions in the state, and the ONLY HBCU nationally, we are on track to help countless patients with a variety of illnesses. As a result of this initiative we will make unprecedented contributions in the areas of research and innovation, while significantly impacting workforce and economic development in our community and beyond!
Southern University Shreveport (link to www.susla.edu) also continued to grow with the establishment of the Williams Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement to increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of minority males who are first generation college students and/or come from low-income households.
Alumni giving was also unprecedented this year. This year’s Million Dollar March yielded $10 million! These funds, through the Southern University Foundation, will assist our five campuses with improvements and our students with valuable scholarships.
As move into a new year, we are looking forward to the completion of the Valdry Center for Philanthropy, made possible by a group of phenomenal alumni, the Valdry Family; full establishment of two Centers of Excellence — cybersecurity and government contract procurement; and a growing population of students.
While I am pleased to share with you a snapshot of our progress, I am even more optimistic about what 2019 will hold. Expect to see immediate progress commencing when the university re-opens in January, as we begin the implementation of our Southern University System Strategic Plan which serves as our blueprint to excellence. Additionally, we are anticipating numerous institutional milestones, even greater levels of academic achievement, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and optimal fundraising and development for the entire System.
In closing, I would like to convey my sincerest appreciation to our board, alumni, the administration, faculty, staff and students. It is because of your support and unwavering dedication that 2018 was marked with significant accomplishments, and together our 2019 will be marked with even greater achievements, propelling our University System to even higher standards of excellence.
Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season.
Sincerely Yours,
Ray L. Belton
President-Chancellor