One of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s oldest student organizations is celebrating its 90th birthday this year.
The Newman Club, now known as Ragin’ Cajun Catholics Student Ministry, was created in the 1923-24 academic year.
“It started as a group of college students who wanted to live out their faith,” said Mary Hernandez, director of Advancement of Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center. Newman Clubs, named for John Henry Cardinal Newman, are made up of Catholic students on secular college or university campuses.
Newman Club and Catholic Church leaders quickly acknowledged the need for a place at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now UL Lafayette, where club members could meet on campus. But it wasn’t until 1942 that Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel and the Catholic Student Center were dedicated. Built at the intersection of St. Mary Boulevard and McKinley Street, the Center had a meeting room known as Newman Hall.
The Catholic Student Center played a role in the University’s peaceful desegregation in the 1950s. Southwestern Louisiana Institute became the first previously all-white, state-supported college or university in the Deep South to admit African-Americans. Desegregation at some other universities in the South resulted in violence.
After a series of legal challenges, 80 black students enrolled at SLI for the Fall 1954 semester. Historians say relations between black and white students were strained, at first. But both races gradually accepted desegregation.
One of the first integrated events at SLI occurred in April 1956. Students of both races attended a Gulf States Newman Club meeting at the Catholic Student Center. It was conducted without incident.
Over the years, Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel and Catholic Student Center have expanded to accommodate a student body that has grown to almost 17,000.
Hernandez said a national study has shown that 80 percent of college students will stop practicing their faith in college. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University determined that students involved in Catholic campus ministry are more likely to attend Mass regularly, be involved in their parish, help the needy, and donate to the Church or other charitable organizations.
Ragin’ Cajun Catholics Student Ministry offer classes, guest speakers, special events, Bible studies, retreats and group activities, such as tailgating at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun football games, to engage students in a community of peers.