New Orleans Saints Win Super Bowl in Super College Town

February 8th, 2010

Another Super Bowl is in the record books, this time it being a 30-17 upset by the underdog New Orleans Saints over the Indianapolis Colts. Can you say WHO DAT?

Granted, New Orleans is a pretty exciting city on any given Sunday, but with the win last night and Mardi Gras just around the corner, we’re thinking that Bourbon Street was the place to be last night…and probably during the wee hours of the morning, too.

No one—unless you are a Colts fan, of course—can really begrudge the Louisianians, either, since there are still many painful memories of Hurricane Katrina. So in honor of the Saints’ one and only trip to the Super Bowl (so far), let’s take a look at some of the colleges and universities that are part of “The Big Easy”:

Tulane University. Founded in 1834, this liberal arts university has enjoyed a legacy of excellence in academics and research. Among the many famous Tulane alumni are politician Newt Gingrich, model Lauren Hutton, and talk show host Jerry Springer.

University of New Orleans. Part of the Louisiana State University system of higher education, UNO is made up of nine different colleges, offering dozens of options in undergraduate and graduate programs. Most students hail from Louisiana, but about 10 percent of students come from other states, attracted by the school’s opportunities, as well as its location just minutes away from the French Quarter.

Dillard University. Dillard is a historically black university that got its start in 1869. The campus boasts a tight-knit community that serves to inspire and challenge; many students go on to graduate school within five years of graduating Dillard. Notable Dillard alumni include early “Saturday Night Live” cast member Garrett Morris, jazz musician Ellis Marsalis, Jr., and current Brown University president Dr. Ruth Simmons.

Loyola University New Orleans. A Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition, Loyola University New Orleans offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs. Even if freshmen don’t know what they’d like to major in just yet, chances are something will pique their interest at Loyola University New Orleans.

Our Lady of Holy Cross College. One of the eight Holy Cross colleges in the nation, Our Lady of Holy Cross offers many different academic programs; however, it also enjoys a long tradition as a teaching college, preparing educators for the classroom and school administration.

Xavier University of Louisiana. This school is noted for being the only historically black Catholic university in the country. Catholic values are instilled in the academic programs at the university, though all are welcome to study at Xavier.

Southern University at New Orleans. A part of the Southern University system, SUNO enjoys a diverse campus community, as well as many undergraduate and graduate programs in fields of arts and sciences, business, education, social work, and public administration.

–Barbara Bellesi

Entry Filed under: Pop culture & college,Schools