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Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

This week we are celebrating the founding of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette!

On July 14, 1898, the state legislature passed Act 162 of the Louisiana General Assembly, which was introduced by Robert Martin of St. Martin Parish. This act created the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII). Lafayette was selected as the future home of the school on Jan. 5, 1900.

The first buildings were opened in 1901 on 25 acres of land donated by Crow and Maxim Girard. Those buildings were Martin Hall (named for Robert Martin), Foster Hall (named for Governor Foster) and a shop building.

The first graduating class contained 18 students, including Ambassador Jefferson Caffery. It was 1920 before the school began offering 4-year degrees, leading to the name change to Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI).

More information and photographs of SLII, SLI, USL, and UL Lafayette can be found in Special Collections.

Special Collections - UL Lafayette Building

View more photos on the Special Collections Facebook Page.


Fun Fact Friday is brought to you by Special Collections.

 

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