Lafayette in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Pillars of Progress
Desegregation of SLI
A panel of three judges - Wayne G. Borah, Benjamin C. Dawkins, Jr. and Edwin F. Hunter, Jr. - ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. On July 16, 1954, the court issued a judgment that permanently prohibited SLI from refusing to admit them, "or any other Negro citizen of the state, residing in Southwest Louisiana, and similarly qualified and situated," on the basis of race or color.
On September 10, 1954, SLI became the first all-white, state-supported college in the Deep South to desegregate, when 76 African American students registered for classes, including the four plaintiffs in Constantine v. SLI. Trying times lay ahead. Desegregation was accomplished without the violence that occurred later when other southern schools admitted African American students for the first time. But turmoil on SLI's campus took its toll: by mid-term, the number of African American students at SLI had markedly decreased.
Erected 2004 by Alumni Association, University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1860.
Location. 30° 12.785′ N, 92° 1.235′ W. Marker is in Lafayette, Louisiana, in Lafayette Parish. Marker is on Rex Street near E.St. Mary Blvd.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lafayette LA 70503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. University of Louisiana at Lafayette 50th Anniversary of Desegregation (a few steps from this marker); University of Louisiana at Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); 1970-1979 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Amédé Ardoin / Dennis McGee (about 700 feet away); 1980-1989 (about 700 feet away); 1960-1969 (about 700 feet away); Eddy and Ann Knight (about 700 feet away); McNaspy Stadium Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lafayette.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2013, by Mike Waldon of Lafayette, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 1,037 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 24, 2013, by Mike Waldon of Lafayette, Louisiana. 2. submitted on May 27, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.