Dillard University, a New Orleans-based HBCU, is amongst one of the greatest creators of Black undergraduates graduating in physics.
According to The Associated Press reports, the New Orleans-based University ranks second in the nation for Black physics undergraduate students.
Dillard, which is one of the smallest HBCUs across the country, continues to thrive in graduating students in this field despite having far less resources than other schools. The University, which was founded more than a century ago, has an enrollment of a little more than 1,200 students.
But the University isn’t the only HBCU paving the way for Black physics graduates. Research from The American Institute of Physics states that most Blacks who graduate with an undergraduate degree in physics come from HBCUs. Currently, the top producer of Blacks graduating in physics is all-male HBCU, Morehouse College.
“Degrees in physics are rare for women and minorities and that Dillard — with a campus that is 73 percent female — is outpacing its larger counterparts is significant,” University of Pennsylvania professor Marybeth Gasman told The Associated Press.
This year, the liberal arts school ranked No. 12 amongst all HBCUs in the U.S. News and World Report’s Best College Rankings. Prior to that, the University ranked in the top 60 amongst all liberal arts colleges by The Washington Monthly in 2013.
Singer, songwriter and actress Janelle Monae, who recently delivered the commencement speech at the University, championed the school for the accomplishment.
“To have physicists coming out of New Orleans who are African-American women … that’s a huge deal,” Monae told The Associated Press.
The “Hidden Figures” actress shared her gratitude for speaking at the University on social media.
“It is our responsibility to sustain the future now,” Monae said to Dillard’s graduating class.