News
By Kevin Mead
|
September 7, 2009
Several of the University's first black students in the 1950s and 1960s returned to Grounds Friday to speak about their past University experiences, the challenges they faced and the institutional changes they have seen since departing Charlottesville.
"The Early Days Celebration" began with a discussion panel, titled "Looking Back, Moving Forward," which was held Friday.
"Today we honor those who made it, who could get in, and who went on to do great things with their lives," said Maurice Apprey, dean of the Office of African-American Affairs, in his opening statement.
Panelists included 1969 graduate David Temple, who was the first black student to integrate the fraternity system; John Merchant, the first black student to graduate from the Law school in 1958; and Dr. Vivian Pinn of the class of 1967, the first black woman to graduate from the medical school.
The discussion featured accounts of racism that students had experienced during their time here.