The Official First Day of LSU New Orleans
LSU New Orleans celebrated its official return to the LSU system with a sign-unveiling ceremony
NEW ORLEANS – On Wednesday, at 10 a.m., the Louisiana State University (LSU) system hosted a sign-unveiling ceremony, officially recognizing the transition of the former University of New Orleans (UNO) campus to LSU New Orleans.
Originally established in 1958 as Louisiana State University in New Orleans, the university returned to the LSU System after 15 years in the University of Louisiana System.
By Alyssa Schiaffino
Organizers share that more than 600 students, faculty, staff, alumni, elected officials and community partners gathered for the celebration, themed “Honoring Our Legacy, Celebrating Our Future.”
To begin the ceremony, in purple-and-gold fashion, St. Augustine High School of New Orleans presented the colors as the National Anthem was sung.
St. Augustine, by Alyssa Schiaffino
Next, LSU President Wade Rousse, LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Chester “Lee” Mallett, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and Interim Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer Jeanette Weiland all gave opening remarks, sharing both their excitement for the new LSU New Orleans and commitment to honoring the UNO legacy.
“Let’s remember that a sign does not make a university. A logo does not make a university. People do,” Weiland said. She later emphasized the impact people have on a university by saying, “As we’re about to see over the next few years, people make transformation.”
With two master’s degrees from UNO and a bachelor’s from LSU, Weiland shared that, to her, UNO and LSU have never been competing institutions, as one launched her career and the other shaped her future.
Furthering the LSU and UNO connection on display during yesterday’s ceremony, President Rousse also spoke of his time at UNO, living on the third floor of Privateer Place and falling in love with economics because of UNO.
Rousse assured the audience that LSU New Orleans will remain deeply connected to the city it serves and loves. Financially, Rousse shared that there is an appropriate plan in place and mentioned the university’s leasing of space to Ben Franklin High School.
Mayor Moreno thanked LSU for its commitment to the city and expressed her administration’s full support of the transition.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno
The speeches concluded with a video featuring students, faculty, researchers, staff and alumni from UNO sharing their experiences, and all proudly saying, “I’m a New Orleanian.” Weiland shared that the video, made in-house, was curated from 300 hours of interviews.
Unveiling the LSU New Orleans Sign
Following the ceremony, university leaders joined attendees outside the University Center for the official unveiling of the LSU New Orleans campus sign, symbolizing the institution’s return to the LSU system.
At 11:23 a.m., the covering was dropped, and the new sign was officially unveiled.
The sign showcases the university’s new branding, adopting the LSU colors and fonts. However, the UNO Privateer mascot remains, and the Privateer pride can continue. Weiland reflected this at the closing of the ceremony, saying, “I am, have been and always will be privateer proud.”
The LSU system now further connects Louisianians throughout the state. Rousse stated that LSU connects Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Eunice, Shreveport, New Orleans and all 64 parishes through extension offices.
