When Southern University first opened its doors in New Orleans in 1880, it did so with only a dozen students. Located in Baton Rouge since 1914, the university now boasts an enrollment of more than 7,000 students, nationally-recognized faculty members, a strong athletics program and a campus that continues to expand to meet modern-day needs.
“Our enrollment is up. Fundraising is on the upswing as well. There are more people investing in the university,” said Dr. Robin Merrick, Southern University Vice-President for External Affairs and University Relations. “We’ve got fabulous students doing wonderful things. Our faculty members are doing groundbreaking research and writing books. The list is endless.”
Dr. Merrick added that ongoing construction projects include a new amphitheater, a new global innovation and welcome center, a new STEM building and a new public safety facility.
“President Joseph Samuel Clark, who was the first Southern President here in Baton Rouge, had a dream to grow this university from the river to the railroad track,” Dr. Merrick said. “We’ve done that and we’re going even beyond the railroad track now.”
Those accomplishments and more will be celebrated on Southern’s campus throughout the month of March, which is designated as the university’s Founders Month. Special events will include a convocation, academic homecoming, exhibits and a pilgrimage of Southern Lab students to the campus gravesites of notable individuals in university history.
“We want to show people how much we have grown and how much we still have in our future,” Dr. Merrick said.
In order to continue that growth, the annual Jag-A-Thon on March 27 will be an opportunity for alumni, supporters and others to donate to Southern Jaguar Athletic programs on their largest fundraising day of the year. Chris Powers, The Voice of the Jags, said the funds go toward helping purchase everything from uniforms and equipment to upgrading facilities and ensuring student-athletes can travel to out-of-town competitions. Powers said those are necessities in today’s college sports landscape.
“We bring in students from all over the world to come here and experience our culture,” Powers said. “When coaches go somewhere and tell an athlete they want them to come to Southern, the first thing they look at are the facilities.”
The March 27 Jag-A-Thon will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations may be made online, in person or via mail.
“This is an opportunity to give back to student-athletes. These contributions support academics as well. These are students who are trying to get a strong education while they are here. It’s a holistic approach,” Dr. Merrick added. “We like to say we’re setting the standard. A lot of universities in our conference and other HBCUs are looking at Southern in an envious way. We’re definitely one of the powerhouses and we plan on staying that way.”
Visit to learn more about the 2026 Jag-A-Thon and how you can make a contribution. Visit to learn more about academic offerings and admissions at Southern University.