LSU’S LUTRILL & PEARL PAYNE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION NAMESAKE CELEBRATED

At the center of the LSU College of Human Sciences and Education is the innate desire to #GeauxChangeLives. Today, we celebrate changemakers Lutrill and Pearl Payne, who tirelessly advocated for all LSU students to be treated with justice and respect, regardless of the color of their skin. 

May 2, 2024. The Huey P. Long Field House is bustling with laughter, life, and remembrance, as the LSU community comes together for a once in a lifetime moment to name the LSU School of Education after Lutrill and Pearl Payne. These moments recognize our outstanding namesakes to embrace the legacy of Lutrill and Pearl. They have fueled immeasurable impact that our faculty, staff, students, and future alumni will have in our community, state, and beyond. 

Mr. Payne was the first African American student to matriculate at LSU, though not without overcoming obstacles. From 1860 to 1899, LSU was a segregated educational institution intended to only serve white students. The Plessy v. Ferguson U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1896 allowed for separate accommodation of races if equal provisions were provided for whites and non-whites. For African Americans choosing to pursue degrees in fields not offered by Black-serving institutions in Louisiana, the state government paid their expenses to attend programs in other states.   

Mr. Payne was originally rejected from LSU due to racial barriers at the time, but A.P. Tureaud, Sr. filed a lawsuit on his behalf and won the case, allowing Mr. Payne to be granted admission to LSU’s graduate program in agricultural education in 1951. Although he did not graduate from LSU, he paved the way for others to follow.  In 1952, his wife, Mrs. Pearl Payne enrolled in the LSU Graduate School to pursue a Master of Education degree. She commuted from Natchitoches to Baton Rouge weekly to attend classes, and in 1953, she became one of the first African American women to earn a master’s degree in education from LSU. Mrs. Payne’s teaching career spanned 37 years. 

Now, perhaps more than any time in the past, our state—and our country—need teachers who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of students. LSU’s school of education is over a century old. For more than 100 years, we’ve educated and trained the teachers who serve Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in nearly every parish in the state.

The event featured remarks from the Payne Family, LSU President William F. Tate IV,  Dean Roland Mitchell, and Assistant Dean Renée Boutte Myer, refreshments, a video documentary on Lutrill and Pearl Payne, a commissioned portrait unveiling by artist Ulrick Jean-Pierre, and a panel discussion about the future of education in Louisiana. Led by Interim Director of the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education Eugene Kennedy, this panel included distinguished LSU education figures, including Margaret Picolli, PhD, Paul Mooney, PhD, Elecia Lathon, PhD, Langley McClay, PhD, and Bethany Hager.  

This ceremony officially ushered in a new century of excellence for our School of Education. Lutrill & Pearl Payne were trailblazers, community leaders, and indeed….changemakers. 

The Paynes’ perseverance and their dedication to education make them a defining part of LSU’s history. Honoring Black pioneers like Lutrill and Pearl Payne and recognizing their courage, strength, and formidable spirit strengthens our community as a whole. 

The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education is on a mission to improve quality of life across the lifespan. We are a college on the move and our faculty, staff, students and alumni IMPACT Lives. When our teachers, social workers, allied health professionals, corporate trainers, librarians, information specialists, and archivists show up in communities, we make them better. 

It’s in our college DNA to make POSITIVE change. We are not sideline sitters. We are changemakers.  

CHSE is truly a unique college. From educating children six-weeks-old to PhD and beyond, the faculty, staff, and students impact quality of life across the entire lifespan.  

“It is obvious that the Paynes touched many lives,” CHSE Assistant Dean for Advocacy, Collaboration, & Engagement Renée Boutte Myer said. “Mr. Lutrill & Mrs. Pearl worked hard and loved harder...they loved one another, loved their family, loved their community, loved education...and yes LOVED LSU. I’m sure never in their wildest dreams, would they think we would all be standing here celebrating them at an LSU Naming Ceremony, but here we are and we hope both of them are looking down and smiling right now.” 

Thank you to our outstanding honorees and to our esteemed students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners of the Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education – the future of education in Louisiana is bright! 

---

About CHSE 
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration schools, the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, enrolling birth to age four and the University Laboratory School enrolling Kindergarten through grade 12. The college also has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute, the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and Social Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is committed to improving quality of life across the lifespan. 
Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education website. 
 
About the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education (SOE) 
A school of the College of Human Sciences & Education, the SOE offers undergraduate programs for students who want to pursue a career as a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teacher or acquire dual certification in both traditional elementary and special education classrooms. In addition, SOE offers 3 graduate certificates, 17 master’s degree program areas, 9 EdS certificate programs, and 2 PhD degrees in 11 areas of focus. SOE’s focus is not only on preparing highly qualified teachers but also in preparing educational leaders, curriculum studies scholars, educational technology experts, applied researchers, higher education professionals, school counselors, and clinical mental health counselors. SOE specializes scholarly expertise regarding pressing educational and wellness issues across the entire lifespan.
Visit the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education website.