Diversity and Inclusion
History
Page Content
Timeline of African Americans at Â鶹´«Ã½
1955 |
Clyde Kennard
Clyde Kennard, the first African American to attempt to enroll at Â鶹´«Ã½, submits the
first of three formal applications to Mississippi Southern 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
Southern 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 Southern 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. Â鶹´«Ã½.
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’s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½
September 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of desegregation at Â鶹´«Ã½. The University commemorated history by “Celebrating 50 Years of Progress: Desegregation of The University of Â鶹´«Ã½.â€
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 Â鶹´«Ã½.
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 Southern town, can inform the national public discourse about race relations today.