Dillard Weathers the Storm

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans last August, the campus of Dillard University was inundated with up to eight feet of filthy water and mud. But Dillard President Marvalene Hughes was adamant that the university would be rebuilt and return better than ever. She promised the senior class that they would march between the great oak trees on campus for their graduation ceremony as has been done at Dillard for generations.

Hughes made good on her promise. Some 350 students received their diplomas earlier this month at commencement ceremonies on campus. The graduation ceremony was the first time many of the graduate students had been on campus all year. When the university reopened this past January, classes were held at the Hilton hotel in the downtown area.

The university hopes to move back into campus buildings for the start of the fall semester.

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.