Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, May 28, 2006

It was June 1933. Ouachita Parish Junior College had just held its very first baccalaureate and commencement for 125 graduates. Enrollment was increasing, additional faculty had been hired and OPJC was the third largest junior college in the South and the 25th largest of 459 junior colleges in the United States. She was 2 years old, and the future held wonderful promises.

But while the college was growing, so, too, was the Depression. In July, the Monroe Morning World reported that tax assessments for Ouachita Parish would be $42.5 million, compared to $64 million when the college tax was approved. Now, that 1-mill tax in support of the college would barely pay the building indebtedness, and there was no money for operations, estimated at about $30,000. There were not many options available: an increase in taxes had been defeated in May; a 41⁄2-month school year was a possibility. A search began to find other means to finance the college. President C.C. Colvert had an idea. LSU had already taught summer extension classes at the college, and some faculty, including Colvert, had worked closely with LSU. With the help of Sen. James A. Noe, Colvert approached LSU President James Monroe Smith with a plan for OPJC to become a two-year college in the LSU system. Surprisingly, Smith agreed to the plan and a contract between OPJC and LSU was announced on Aug. 13, 1933. The contract was signed by Gov. O.K. Allen as ex-officio president of the LSU board of supervisors, Smith and Joe Renwick, president of the Ouachita Parish School Board.

Excitement comparable to the time when OPJC was established spread over Ouachita and surrounding parishes. Colvert stated that "this arrangement places the first two years of the university at the very doorsteps of the young men and women of northeast Louisiana" and commended Allen and Smith. As August progressed into September, Noe was thanked by the school board for his role in aiding the move; a Northeast Center of LSU catalog was completed and mailed to high school graduates; Colvert acquired the new title of dean; LSU officials visited Monroe and toured the college; an opening date of Sept. 20 was set to correspond to the opening of LSU. That future with its wonderful promises had been restored.

However, suddenly and shockingly on Sept. 9, Colvert received a telegram from Smith stating that "the contract is canceled" because of "dissension created in the state's educational system over the plan." Colvert, and T.O. Brown were said to be "too dumfounded to make any statement." Suddenly, out of the blue, OPJC didn't have enough money to operate and plans to become part of LSU were canceled.

What happened? Did OPJC close? Next week we will learn about Colvert, Noe and Huey Long.

Have a great day at ULM.

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor