McNeese State University
McNeese State University was established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1939. The institution was first named the Lake Charles Junior College, and was a division of Louisiana State University with the opening session beginning on September 11, 1939. The following fall, the school changed its name to John McNeese Junior College to honor John McNeese, a renowned Southwest Louisiana educator and the first superintendent of schools in Imperial Calcasieu Parish. In 1950, McNeese became a four-year college in its own right and came under the authority of the Louisiana Board of Education. Finally, in 1970, McNeese State University became the official name of the school.
McNeese State University is a public university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA. Founded in 1939 as a junior college, McNeese experienced growth due to economic activity in the region, and in 1970, it became known by its present name.
McNeese State University upholds a long tradition of service to the Southwest Louisiana community and the nation. The University motto of “Excellence with a Personal Touch” extends beyond the classroom. During World War II, the campus was the headquarters of the Louisiana Maneuvers, an extensive military exercise to prepare American soldiers for battle. In 1957, the McNeese community gave aid and comfort to the victims of Hurricane Audrey and served as the National Guard’s base of rescue operations. Recently, McNeese provided shelter for New Orleans residents and university students fleeing from Hurricane Katrina. McNeese faced one of its greatest challenges when Hurricane Rita struck in the fall of 2005. The storm caused devastating damage to campus facilities and infrastructure. The recovery effort after Hurricane Rita demonstrated the resilience and commitment of the McNeese faculty, staff, and students to higher education and to moving forward in support of the core values of academic excellence, student success, fiscal responsibility, and university/community alliances.
Mission
McNeese State University, a selective admissions institution, provides education, research, and service that support core values of academic excellence, student success, fiscal responsibility, and university-community alliances. The University’s fundamental educational mission is to offer associate, baccalaureate, and specific graduate curricula distinguished by academic excellence. The University engages in collaborative ventures to benefit industry and to enhance economic development and cultural growth in this region and beyond.
Courses Offered
- Undergraduate Programs
- Graduate Programs
Colleges & Divisions
- College of Business
- Burton College of Education
- The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
- The College of Liberal Arts
- The College of Nursing
- The College of Science
- The Division of General and Basic Studies
- The Doré School of Graduate Studies.
Contact Details
McNeese State University
4205 Ryan Street,
Lake Charles, LA 70609
337.475.5000
800.622.3352
Official Website: http://www.mcneese.edu/
