Straight University, after 1915 Straight College, was a historically black college that operated between 1868 and 1934 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was founded by the American Missionary Association. The campus faced Canal Street, New Orleans, occupying the block between Tonti and Rocheblave Streets backed by Gasquet . After the university was absorbed into the nearly created Dillard University, the campus buildings served as a school and YWCA until demolished in 1950. Responding to the post-Civil War need to educate newly freed African Americans in New Orleans, Louisiana and the surrounding... region, the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church founded Straight University on June 12, 1868. Straight University received its name as recognition for Seymour Straight's initial endowment gift. Straight was a wealthy cheese manufacturer from Hudson, Ohio. In 1915, the name "Straight University" was changed to Straight College which represented the scope of the school's work more accurately. Missionary work was a core concern, which extended from New Orleans to Africa.
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