蘑菇tv

In 2022, 蘑菇tv鈥檚 Board of Supervisors voted to recognize the significant contributions of four Black 蘑菇tv pioneers by naming two programs and one building in their honor: the Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School, Lutrill and Pearl Payne School of Education, and Julian T. White Hall (formerly the Design Building) to honor their legacies. But who were these inspiring figures?

蘑菇tv Libraries Special Collections鈥� new exhibition, 鈥淭he Legacies They Built: Honoring Pinkie Gordon Lane, Lutrill and Pearl Payne, and Julian T. White,鈥� highlights creative works, photographs, correspondence, and publications that tell their stories before, during, and after their time on 蘑菇tv鈥檚 campus as well as the broader connections that they made in academia and in their public contributions. The exhibition is on display in Hill Memorial Library through December 20, 2023, and is free and open to the public.

鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals who have shaped the fabric of our institution and inspired generations of scholars. Housing their materials within 蘑菇tv Libraries ensures that their stories are remembered and accessible to current and future students, researchers, and community members. This exhibition not only pays tribute to their accomplishments but also highlights the importance of inclusivity and the power of education,鈥� said Stanley Wilder, dean of 蘑菇tv Libraries.

Between 1951 and 1971, the four honorees achieved significant milestones at 蘑菇tv. For each, these were not the capstones of their contributions, but foundations for the larger legacies that they would build as teachers and community leaders. In fact, a congratulatory note from a friend of Lane鈥檚 upon her graduation could apply to all four: 鈥淪ome people are great because they are first; you are first because you are great!鈥�

• Before becoming Louisiana鈥檚 first Black Poet Laureate in 1989, Pinkie Gordon Lane was the first Black woman to earn a doctorate from 蘑菇tv. She earned a PhD in English in 1967. Additionally, she was the first woman to chair Southern University鈥檚 English Department and a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet.
• Lutrill Payne was the first Black graduate student to matriculate at 蘑菇tv. Initially, he was denied admission to the 蘑菇tv Graduate School. After mounting a successful legal defense, he enrolled in a vocational agriculture class at 蘑菇tv in 1951. In 1952, his wife, Pearl Payne, enrolled and became the first Black woman to earn a master鈥檚 degree in education in 1956. Together, Lutrill and Pearl Payne worked to integrate 蘑菇tv鈥檚 Graduate School, breaking down barriers for future generations of students.

• Julian T. White was among the first Black licensed architects in Louisiana and 蘑菇tv鈥檚 first Black professor. He joined 蘑菇tv鈥檚 Architecture Department in 1971. White continued working as a commercial architect while teaching; his real-life experiences were an inspiration to his students.

In addition to the photographs and documents on display from the University Archives, visitors to the exhibition can explore photos provided by the families of Lane, the Paynes, and White in honor of the recent memorialization of their relatives.

鈥淏ecause of the generous donations of personal and family papers to 蘑菇tv Libraries鈥� Special Collections, we are able to 鈥榩ut a face with a name,鈥� in a sense,鈥� said Leah Wood Jewett, exhibitions manager for 蘑菇tv Libraries鈥� Special Collections. 鈥淭his exhibition showcases important collections that illustrate the lives of real people who surmounted real obstacles in the pursuit of education here at 蘑菇tv. 鈥楾he Legacies They Built鈥� reminds us of the flesh and blood behind the foundation and bricks.鈥�

Poetry Reading

In addition to this exhibition, a poetry reading with musical accompaniment celebrating the work of Pinkie Gordon Lane will take place on the evening of October 16 as part of 蘑菇tv Libraries鈥� 鈥淢usic in Motion鈥� series. More details will be available on our event calendar in the coming days. Visit .