AJC Sepia HBCU of the Week: Dillard University Notable Alumni

AJC Sepia HBCU of the Week: Dillard University
P. B. S. Pinchback -- Class of 1889
Alice Dunbar Nelson -- Class of 1892
Revius O. Ortique Jr. -- Class of ’47
Beah Richards -- Class of '48
Ellis M. Marsalis Jr. -- Class of ’55
Garrett Morris -- Class of '58
Ruth J. Simmons -- Class of ‘67
Dave Dennis -- Class of '68
Dave Dennis -- Class of '68
Joyce Roche’ -- Class of 1970
Carl Stewart -- Class of '71
Sheila Tlou -- Class of ‘77
Glenda McNeal -- Class of ‘82
Michael Jones -- Class of '82
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"Dillard University" was technically founded in 1935. But the roots of the New Orleans HBCU date back to the days just after Emancipation, when several institutes for former slaves were opening. In 1869 both Straight University and the Union Normal School were founded. They were subsequently renamed Straight College and New Orleans University, respectively. Gilbert Academy, a secondary school, was a unit of New Orleans University. In 1889, New Orleans University 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 facility 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 Flint-Goodridge Hospital. Straight College operated a law department from 1874 to 1886. In 1935, New Orleans University and Straight College merged to form Dillard University.  Since 1869, what is now Dillard University has educated and graduated thousands of students. Here are some of their brightest. (The above photo is of Straight University in 1885).