Heritage Lecture for the 70th Anniversary of the Southern University Law Center

Preserve Louisiana presents a special Heritage Lecture for the 70th Anniversary of the Southern University Law Center with Chancellor John K. Pierre at the Old Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, August 24 at 6 pm. The Southern University Law Center was established in 1946 when Charles J. Hatfield III, an African American military veteran, sought admission from the only state institution to offer a law degree and was denied admission because of his race. As a result, Hatfield hired civil rights attorneys to file suit  against Louisiana State University. Although the lawsuit was unsuccessful, the Louisiana State Board of Education took steps to establish a law school for African Americans, thus creating the Southern University Law Center. Pierre, Chancellor of the Southern University Law Center, will discuss the history and the establishment of this historically black law school. Refreshments from Calandro’s Fine Wines and Spirits are served at 6 pm, and the lecture begins at 6:30 pm. Heritage Lectures are sponsored in part by Watermark Baton Rouge.