The Loyola University Broadway Campus a hidden gem. It wasn’t always known as Loyola University New Orleans. In 1904 it began as Loyola College. A young Jesuit Father Albert Biever was tasked with finding a location for a new university. He was given just a nickel for streetcar fare. He travelled uptown on the St Charles Streetcar. He ultimately found the perfect spot. The first classes were held in a residence behind the Most Holy Name of Jesus Church.
Loyola University New Orleans is a private Jesuit university. It’s part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Its history is deeply rooted in New Orleans. Jesuits first arrived in the early 18th century. Loyola College was established on a portion of the Foucher Plantation. The Jesuits had bought this land in 1886.
The university expanded steadily. It added a School of Law in 1914. A School of Dentistry also opened that same year. A College of Pharmacy followed in 1919. A School of Music was added later. Marquette Hall completed in 1910 was the first permanent building. It served as the main hub until other structures were constructed. Loyola even has the honor of broadcasting the first radio transmission in the Deep South in 1922. WWL began operation as a lab experiment from Marquette Hall.
The campus has seen many changes. The football program ended in the 1930s. This freed up land for new buildings. Stallings Hall was built for the College of Business Administration. The Memorial Library was also constructed after World War II. Norman Francis a significant figure became the first African American admitted in 1952. The campus continued to grow with the Danna Student Center and Biever Hall a residence hall. Henrietta Buddig Hall Loyola’s tallest building was added in 1967. The J Edgar Monroe Science Building now Monroe Hall became the largest academic building.
The College of Pharmacy closed in 1965. The School of Dentistry closed in 1971. In the 1970s the university shifted from Jesuit-regulated governance. A lay and clerical board of trustees took over. A common curriculum broadened student learning. The university’s profile rose attracting students from across the US.
In 1984 a significant event happened. Loyola bought the facilities of St Mary’s Dominican College. This became the Broadway Campus. It now houses the School of Law Cabra Residence Hall and a Visual Arts department. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 disrupted the campus temporarily. The campus reopened for classes in January 2006. Despite challenges 91% of undergraduates returned. Loyola rebuilt and enrollment returned to pre-Katrina levels. The Loyola University Broadway Campus stands as a testament to resilience and growth. It’s a vibrant part of New Orleans history. It continues to educate and shape the lives of students.