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M cNeese State University

McNeese State University is a public  located in  in the United States. Founded in 1939 as a McNeese experienced growth due to economic activity in the region. It adopted its present name in 1970.McNeese is part of the  and is classified by the  as a Master's University. U.S. News and World Report designates McNeese as a Tier One Regional University. The selective admissions university consists of six colleges and the Doré School of Graduate Studies. McNeese is accredited by the and all programs of study are accredited by their respective national boards.

History

McNeese State University was founded in 1939 as a division of  and was originally called Lake Charles Junior College. It offered only the first two years of higher education. McNeese opened its doors on an 86-acre (350,000 m²) tract donated by the  with two buildings: the former Administration Building (Kaufman Hall) and the (Ralph O. Ward Memorial Gym). The auditorium, now Francis G. Bulber Auditorium, was completed in 1940 as the third building on the campus. These three buildings are still in use today. The name became  Junior College in 1940 by resolution of the University Board of Supervisors in honor of this pioneer educator of Lake Charles.

University leadership

·  Dr. Joseph  (1939–1940)

· Dr. William (1940–1941)

· Dr. Rodney Cline (1941–1944)

·  Dr. (1944–1955) Retired in 1955, became 

  thereafter.

· Dr. Wayne N.  (1955–1969) Retired in 1969.

· Dr. Thomas S. Leary (1969–1980) Resigned from presidency.

· Dr. Jack  (1980–1986) Resigned in order to run for state office.

· Dr. Robert  (1986–2010)

· Dr. Philip C. Williams (2010–present).

Campus

The main campus occupies 121 acres (0.49 km²) lined with live oak trees in the heart of south Lake Charles. Contraband Bayou flows through the campus. The main campus includes 68 main buildings. In addition, the physical plant also includes the 503-acre (2.04 km²) McNeese Farm, a 65-acre (260,000 m²) Athletic plant,  the Louisiana Environmental Research Center, and nearly 1,600 acres (6.5 km²) of donated farm property used for research, farming, and ranching.

Academics

McNeese is the first university in the State of Louisiana to offer a concentration in forensic chemistry. It is one of the first schools in the nation to offer a concentration in terrorism, preparedness and security.The College of Nursing and the Department of Mass Communications are housed in the Juliet Hardtner Hall, named for a McNeese donor and daughter of the Louisiana timber magnate and conservationist, .The Department of English and Foreign Languages, in conjunction with the local chapter of publishes The Arena, which is an annual collection of art, essays, fiction, and poetry by students, regardless of major.