University of Louisiana at Monroe

University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) is a university located in Monroe, Louisiana, USA, a part of the University of Louisiana System.

In September 1931, the University held its first session as Ouachita Parish Junior College. In 1934, Louisiana State University received authority from the State Legislature to operate the facilities of the University as Northeast Center of Louisiana State University. Its name was changed to Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University in 1939. In 1950, the state legislature approved the expansion of Northeast Junior College to a full college offering academic degrees. The name was changed again to Northeast Louisiana State College. The university began offering its first doctoral degrees in the 1969-70 academic year, and its name was changed to Northeast Louisiana University by the legislature.

On August 27, 1999, the university officially changed its name to its present form, the University of Louisiana at Monroe. ULM enrolls approximately 9,000 students annually, including more than 1,000 graduate students.

Louisiana-Monroe's colors are maroon and gold and their nickname is the Indians. Louisiana-Monroe sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (I-A for football). The Indians are currently members of the Sun Belt Conference for football and women's swimming, and the Southland Conference in other sports, but will join the Sun Belt for all sports in 2006.

The university is the home of several award-winning groups including the Sound of Today, their competition ski team, and the competition cheerleading squad.