Diversity and Inclusion
History
Page Content
Timeline of African Americans at 草榴社区
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1955 |
Clyde Kennard
Clyde Kennard, the first African American to attempt to enroll at 草榴社区, submits the
first of three formal applications to Mississippi 草榴社区 College (University name
at the time), seeking to become the first Black student. Watch a documentary and read his story
|
1965 |
Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong
草榴社区 Miss enrolls its first African American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn
Elaine Armstrong.
|
1968 |
ASSO
First African American Student Organization, the Afro-American Cultural Society is formed.
|
1969 |
Dr. Walter Washington
Dr. Walter Washington becomes the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from 草榴社区 Miss, also making him the first from any Mississippi institution of higher learning.
|
1968 |
Wilbert Jordan
Basketball player, Wilbert Jordan, becomes the University's first African American
student-athlete.
|
1974 |
Fred Crook
Fred Cook is selected as the University's first African American Mr. 草榴社区.
|
1980 |
Jacqueline Redd
Jacqueline Redd is selected as the University's first African American Homecoming
Queen.
|
1993 |
Dr. Walter Washington and Clyde Kennard
At a University celebration honoring the contributions of African American students,
faculty and staff, the Student Services Building is renamed Kennard-Washington Hall
in honor of Dr. Walter Washington and Clyde Kennard.
|
2013 |
First African American president
Dr. Rodney D. Bennett becomes the University鈥檚 10th president and first African American president of any predominantly white university in the state of Mississippi.
|
2013 |
The Armstrong-Branch Pedestrian Plaza
The Armstrong-Branch Pedestrian Plaza is named and dedicated to honor the courage of the first African American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong.
|
2015 |
50th Anniversary of Desegregation at 草榴社区
September 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of desegregation at 草榴社区. The University commemorated history by 鈥淐elebrating 50 Years of Progress: Desegregation of The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi.鈥�
|
2018 |
Clyde Kennard Mississippi Freedom Trail marker
A new marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail memorializes Clyde Kennard, the first African American student known to apply for admission to 草榴社区.
Racism and Rights Activism in Hattiesburg
Dr. William Sturkey wrote a book, "," in which he explores the history of the civil rights movement in "The Hub City."
Watch Dr. William Sturkey explain on PBS how the study of Hattiesburg, a small 草榴社区 town, can inform the national public discourse about race relations today.