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January 26, 2006

Gathered Guests Helped ULM Begin Official 75th Anniversary Celebrations

With the invaluable presence of hundreds of gathered students, faculty, staff, alumni and honored guests, the University of Louisiana at Monroe began its 75th Anniversary celebrations in the building where it all began Tuesday, Jan. 24.

The official 75th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration occurred via a lunch and evening social, both held in Brown Gym.

On Sept. 28, 1931, 416 students began their first session at ULM, then known as Ouachita Parish Junior College, in what later became T.O. Brown Hall.  

The students of today and gathered guests had the opportunity to inscribe messages to the future on a large group scroll at the lunch social. The scroll will be buried in a 75th Anniversary time capsule, dedicated for the new Student Union Building.

Attendees also witnessed a slide presentation and photo boards depicting each era of the university’s history. Guests for the more formal evening social received commemorative champagne flutes and sketches of the historic Brown Hall.

The Chamber of Commerce, Ouachita Parish School Board and the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs were recognized for their involvement in the planning of the institution.

Especially singled out for appreciation were Nan Salisbury and Carrie Ann Jones, the granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter of former Ouachita Parish school superintendent T. O. Brown. Brown’s vision and drive were unmistakably crucial to the original formation of ULM, then known as Ouachita Parish Junior College.

The completed presidential portraits were present at both events, arrayed chronologically to celebrate the legacy of ULM’s seven presidents. Local artist and ULM alumnus Adam Davenport, whom ULM commissioned for the works, was also honored.

For more information on this and other 75th Anniversary events at ULM throughout the year, go to http://www.ulm.edu/75th.

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