21 Interesting Facts about Dillard University

Dillard University is a private, liberal arts university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was founded in 1869 as Straight University, and in 1935 it merged with New Orleans University to form Dillard University. The university has a rich history of providing a high-quality education to African-American students, and is one of the top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States.

Dillard University offers undergraduate programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The university also offers graduate programs in education and nursing. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, students at Dillard benefit from small class sizes and individual attention from their professors. The university is committed to providing a rigorous and challenging academic environment that prepares students for success in their chosen careers.

In addition to its academic programs, Dillard University is also known for its vibrant campus community. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs and organizations, athletics, and cultural events. Dillard’s athletic teams, known as the Bleu Devils, compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), and the university is also home to a popular marching band.

Dillard University is committed to providing its students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, community engagement, and social justice, Dillard University is a place where students can grow, learn, and thrive, and is poised to continue making a significant impact in the years to come.

Dillard University

Dillard University (Wikimedia)

It’s surely a good idea to look at these 21 interesting facts about Dillard University to give us more information about this private university.

  1. Dillard University was founded in 1869 as Straight University by Union Army veteran and minister Reverend W. P. Thirkield.
  2. In 1930, Straight University merged with New Orleans University to form Dillard University.
  3. The university is named for James Hardy Dillard, a philanthropist and educator who worked to improve education for African Americans in the early 20th century.
  4. Dillard University is a private, liberal arts university with a student population of around 1,300.
  5. The university is located in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, on a 55-acre campus.
  6. Dillard is a historically black university and is classified as a minority-serving institution.
  7. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
  8. Dillard University offers undergraduate degrees in over 20 majors and graduate degrees in education and nursing.
  9. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.
  10. Dillard is a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
  11. The university’s mascot is the Bleu Devil.
  12. Dillard University has a popular marching band known as the “World Famed Bleu Devil Marching Band”.
  13. Dillard University is home to the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, which works to address environmental and public health issues affecting minority and low-income communities in the Gulf Coast region.
  14. The university is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of eco-friendly initiatives on campus.
  15. Dillard’s Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture is one of the only programs in the country dedicated to the study of African-American material culture.
  16. The university’s Will W. Alexander Library has a collection of over 200,000 volumes and is home to the university archives.
  17. Dillard University has a strong commitment to community service and encourages its students to get involved in volunteer work.
  18. The university’s founder, Reverend W. P. Thirkield, was a close associate of civil rights leader Frederick Douglass.
  19. Dillard University was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but has since rebuilt and expanded its facilities.
  20. The university is a member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and is also supported by the United Methodist Church.
  21. Dillard’s student-run newspaper is called The Courtbouillon.

Dillard University is a historically black university with a proud legacy of providing high-quality education to its students. With its strong commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and social justice, Dillard is a place where students can grow, learn, and make a difference in the world. The university’s vibrant campus community, eco-friendly initiatives, and cultural and musical traditions make it a unique and enriching place to study. With its small class sizes, individual attention from professors, and opportunities for hands-on learning, Dillard University prepares its students for success in their chosen careers and for lives of service and leadership.