Academic, Honors Societies, Multicultural, Non-NPHC Greeks, NPHC Greeks, Political, Professional, Religious, Service, Social, Special Interest, Sports, School Spirit, and SU Royal Court. Legacy of Lacumba Southern University was the first HBCU to house a live exotic animal mascot on campus. Henry J. Bellaire, alumnus and president of the 1961 senior class, and alumna Helen Williams presented a baby jaguar as a gift to the university. The jaguar was named Lacumba (meaning "Heart of Africa") and was born on May 26, 1971. In 1991, Lacumba retired to the Acadiana Zoo in Broussard, LA and was replaced with Lacumba II. Lacumba II (commonly referred to as simply Lacumba) was born on May 12, 1991, the offspring of two rare black jaguars bred in hopes of producing a rare black jaguar. However, Lacumba II was born brown; it grew to be 200 pounds. Lacumba II died of natural causes at the age of 15 in December 2004 and was the last jaguar to live on campus. Animal rights advocates dissuaded the university from purchasing a new jaguar. The jaguar pen remains in front of the A.W. Mumford football stadium off Harding Boulevard. The legacy of Lacumba lives on through the school's costumed jaguar mascot and Cafe Lacumba on campus. Notable people Alumni Faculty Blyden Jackson, English professor from 1954 to 1956, and Dean of the Graduate School. Jacquelyne Jackson, sociology professor from 1959 to 1962 Jewel Prestage, Dean of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs Morgan Watson, engineer References External links Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Educational institutions established in 1880 Louisiana African American Heritage Trail Tourist attractions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana 1880 establishments in Louisiana Southern University