Education
Education

UGA to mark 60th anniversary of desegregation

Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
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Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes leave the University of Georgia campus after a trying day on Jan. 10, 1961. They had just completed the necessary qualifications for their entrance at the University of Georgia, where they would become the first black students at the school. Though both would graduate from UGA, they weren't the first to do that. That honor belongs to graduate student Mary Frances Early. You can read her story here. Charles Pugh/AJC
By
Jan 8, 2021

January marks the 60th anniversary of desegregation at the University of Georgia.

The university, to some resistance, enrolled its first two African American students: Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton E. Holmes on Jan. 9, 1961.

Hunter, who later married and is now known as Charlayne Hunter-Gault is became a renowned journalist and civil rights activist. Holmes became an orthopedic surgeon and associate dean of Emory University’s medical school before his death in 1995.

The school has scheduled a host of events you can find here.

Coming Sunday in the AJC: An indepth look at the events of 1961 from a perspective of 60 years, including how it changed UGA then and how the university is continuing to increase its diversity. The stories willl appear in print editions and the ePaper Sunday as well as on ajc.com.

Read the stories online

University of Georgia marks 60th anniversary of desegregation

Charlayne Hunter-Gault reflects on her past, present, future UGA ties

Timeline: Milestones in UGA history for Black students, faculty

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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