Mandela’s Visit

Southern University’s endeavor to be the first among equal received its highest boast when on May 9, 2000, the worlds noble peace price winner, a legend that went from cuffs to the South African State House, His Excellency Nelson Mandela arrive at Baton Rouge airport as part of his five days visit to Southern University. During the visit, the Southern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs was dedicated and renamed after him to read  and is knows as “Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Mandela also received an honorary doctoral degree from Louisiana State University and Southern University, the first time such an honor was bestowed on any individual. President Mandela also attended a $150.00 a head dinner that attracted who is who in Baton Rouge to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation Children’s Fund. At the commencement ceremony which was held at the Mumford stadium because of the crowd that came to see him, President Mandela advised the Spring graduates to pursue advanced degrees and not limit themselves to the Bachelors degrees. He stressed that education is the most important equipment in life and is key to competition especially in the current global economy with its changing technology.