Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, January 8, 2006

"The spirit and loyalty of the Ouachita Junior College students has been on the increase all this year. You have a student body, faculty, building and equipment that is worthy of your active support and loyalty. Your college is second to no other college, and the scholarship of the student body is unusually high. You have a right to be proud of your college." - C.C. Colvert, president, 1931.

"With over 9,200 students, ULM is known for its excellence in academics, on-campus living arrangements, student services, technologically-advanced classrooms and a faculty that focuses on students. Our campus is a vibrant place where scientists conduct cutting-edge research, where business leaders meet to create innovative strategies, and where students are educated for demanding careers." - James E. Cofer Sr., president, 2006.
We begin with two presidential quotations almost 75 years apart - both well describe the consistency of spirit found at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. In the next 12 months we will endeavor to fill what lies between these years with history, people, mysteries, questions, answers and the magic of ULM as we celebrate our 75th anniversary. We also hope that you will lend your voices to this effort by sharing what you know of the founding and history of our university.

The publication of this column on Jan. 8 is an exciting beginning because on this date in 1931 the question, "Where will the junior college be built?" was answered.

The stage had been set in 1928 when the Louisiana Legislature authorized parishes to levy a tax to support junior colleges.

As 1931 began, the junior college became a reality. On Jan. 3, the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented a petition to the parish school board to honor Rodney J. Hobbs, who "made the supreme sacrifice at the battle of Soissons, France, on July 23, 1918, in his 20th year of life." by naming the college after him. The school board postponed this action.

On Jan. 8, a committee of the Police Jury (John Breard, Morton Wyatt, Dr. C.L. Mengis, Fred Peters and Capt. H.M. Williams) and the parish School Board members (Joe Renwick Sr., R.L. Moore, Fred G. Thatcher, J.B. Filhiol and J.H. Trousdale) presented the results of a year-long site study to a joint meeting of the Police Jury and School Board.

Their recommendation was a 30-acre tract known as the Sherrouse property on the north side of DeSiard Street and immediately east of Cole addition. An alternative site studied was the McGuire property located on a graveled highway between the Arkansas Road and the Calhoun highway in West Monroe.

The Sherrouse property was accepted by a vote of 13 to 12. Superintendent T.O. Brown stated that building of the junior college would be started immediately. And so - ULM proudly stands today.

Again, we invite you to participate with us in the celebration of our university's 75th year by sharing your stories, photos and questions. Have a great day at ULM!

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor

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