LSU Stories
Williams Center for Oral History—The LSU Libraries Special Collections T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History Blog and Podcast is posting podcasts about LSU's history on "What Endures" to celebrate LSU's sesquicentennial anniversary. Would you like to hear the voice of a man who attended LSU in 1917? Or would you like to hear a bit about campus fashions of the 1930s? Maybe you've always wondered why it seems there are several swastikas found throughout the 1933 LSU Gumbo. Or perhaps you want to hear from A.P. Tureaud, Jr. about how he was treated as the first African-American to enroll in LSU's undergraduate program? And how, 20 years later, the first black man received a scholarship to play on the newly integrated LSU football team? If any of this sounds interesting to you, check out these episodes:
Our Military Heritage—The ROTC program at LSU carries on perhaps the University’s oldest tradition—the military heritage that has been part of the institution since its beginning under General Sherman and has given LSU the nickname “Ole War Skule.” For a number of years, the campus was a former military post, and three LSU presidents were generals. ROTC was mandatory for all entering freshmen until 1969. Read the cadet rules and regulations from the 1940s.
Mike the Tiger—The LSU mascot is a Bengal tiger, drawn from the Civil War fame of the two Louisiana brigades in the Army of Northern Virginia, whose members fought so fiercely that they became known as the “Louisiana Tigers.” The University acquired its first live mascot in 1924, when an alumnus in South America donated a black bob-tailed tiger named “Little-Eat-‘Em-Up."Today, Mike the Tiger serves as the graphic image of all LSU athletics teams and resides between Tiger Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. His ride through Tiger Stadium before home games in a mobile habitat topped by the LSU cheerleaders is a school tradition. Find out about all six Mike mascots that have called LSU home.
Under Oaks & Arches—LSU's vast traditions range from Saturday night in Tiger Stadium and Mike the Tiger to the chimes of Memorial Tower and a competitive academic community. However, one tradition shapes the visual memories of every Tiger fan, LSU student, alumnus, and visitor—the landscape of the campus.The Italian Renaissance-style architecture reflected in many of LSU's original buildings is attributed to Theodore C. Link. Born in 1850, the architect designed the St. Louis Union Station and the Mississippi State Capitol before leaving his mark in south Louisiana. Read about the history of LSU's original buildings and what purpose they serve today.
