Founders' Month

Southern University and A&M College is commemorating 146 years of academic excellence and a legacy of leadership, scholarship, and service that have shaped the institution for generations. The celebration is part of Founders' Month, a series of events recognizing the university’s history and continued impact on students, alumni, and the broader community.

Founded in New Orleans in 1880 by Joseph S. Clark, Octavia Clark, John S. Jones, Emma Mayberry and James B. Moore, Southern University was created to provide educational opportunities for African Americans in Louisiana. The institution later relocated to Baton Rouge in 1914 and has grown into one of the nation’s leading historically Black universities, producing leaders across fields including education, business, science, public service, and the arts.

Today, the Southern University System — the only historically Black university system in the country, consisting of Southern University and A&M College, Southern University Law Center, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Southern University at New Orleans, and Southern University at Shreveport — continues to expand access to education while developing the next generation of leaders.

Throughout Founders’ Month, the university will host several events celebrating Southern’s legacy and future. The highlight of this year’s observance will be the investiture of Chancellor John K. Pierre on March 27 at 10 a.m. in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.