Dillard University History
Dillard University’s roots go back to 1869. On June 12 of that year Straight University, later renamed Straight College, was founded. On July 8 of the same year the Union Normal School, subsequently renamed New Orleans University, was established. Dillard University was chartered on June 6, 1930 to succeed these two institutions.
Straight College was founded and operated by the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church and New Orleans University by the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dillard University continues to maintain an organic relationship with both of these churches, the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, as they are now known. Following the practices of the two parent institutions, Dillard makes no distinction as to religion, race or sex in the admission of students or in the selection of faculty.
Both Straight College and New Orleans University began by offering instruction on the elementary level, later expanding to the secondary, collegiate and professional levels. Gilbert Academy, a secondary school, was a unit of New Orleans University. Straight College operated a law department from 1874 to 1886. New Orleans University in 1889 opened a medical department, including a school of pharmacy and a school of nursing. The medical department was named Flint Medical College and the affiliated hospital was named the Sarah Goodridge Hospital and Nurse Training School. The medical college was discontinued in 1911, but the hospital including the nursing school, was continued under the name of Flint-Goodridge Hospital of Dillard University. In 1983 the hospital ceased operation.
The University was named in honor of James Hardy Dillard, whose distinguished service in the education of African Americans in the South forms an important chapter in the history of American education.
Below is a digitized booklet that delves deeper into the history of Dillard. Please click on the image to begin.
Within These Walls: A Short History of Dillard University
