“The year is 1959. Dr. Felton G. Clark, president of Southern University, has a vision. He sees a need, a need for accessible higher education in the heart of New Orleans. He turns to a capable and determined individual, Dr. Emmett W. Bashful, and asks him to take on a monumental task: to open the doors of a new educational institution – The Southern University at New Orleans”. The Emmett W. Bashful Administration Building stands today as a testament to that vision.
The building represents the heart of the university’s operations, named after the very man who brought Dr. Clark’s vision to life. Dr. Bashful, initially the dean, poured his heart and soul into nurturing this nascent institution. He oversaw its difficult early years, witnessing its growth from a single building and 158 freshmen to a thriving center of learning. His dedication led him to become the vice president in 1969 and eventually chancellor in 1977.
The Emmett W. Bashful Administration Building isn’t just a place of administrative function. It’s a symbol of perseverance and the pursuit of knowledge. It stands on the grounds that weathered the storm of Hurricane Katrina, a storm that devastated the campus and scattered its students. Yet, like the resilient spirit it embodies, the university rose from the floodwaters, stronger and more determined. The Emmett W. Bashful Administration Building, like the university it represents, is a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of education, and a tribute to the man who helped make it all possible.