1962
1963
First Black Graduate
James Meredith becomes the first Black student to receive a diploma from the University of Mississippi.
1963
1963
First Black Law School Student
1965
First Black Female Student
Verna Bailey is the first Black woman to attend Ole Miss.
1965
1967
1968
First Black Graduate Student
Robert Walker receives his graduate degree, becoming the first Black student to complete a graduate degree at Ole Miss.
1968
1969
Black Student Union Founded
1969
First Black Engineering Graduate
1969
1970
First Black Faculty Member
Jeanette Jennings, the first Black faculty member, is named assistant professor of social work in 1970.
1970
Black Law Students’ Association Created
1970
1970
First Black Female Law School Graduate
1970
African American Studies Program Created
1970
1970
First Black Student Signs Athletics Scholarship
1970
Black Student Union nonviolent protest
On Feb. 25, 1970, more than 60 students from the Black Student Union staged a nonviolent protest objecting to their treatment on campus. The protesters were arrested, along with other black students elsewhere on campus.
1970
1973
First Black Fraternity Chartered
1974
First Black Sorority
1974
1975
First Black On-Campus Fraternity House
1975
1975
1975
1976
First Female Basketball Player
1976
1979
First Black Female Student Hall of Fame Inductee
1982
First Black Cheerleader
1985
Jennifer Gillom Named USA Basketball Athlete of the Year
1985
1985
1987
First Black Rhodes Scholar
1987
1992
1992
First Black Head Coach
1992
1992
UM Creates Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins Scholarship
1994
First Black Department Chair
Erskine Smith is appointed the first Black department chair at the university (Home Economics, now called Family and Consumer Sciences).
1994
1994
1997
First Black “Miss University”
Carissa Alana Wells becomes the first Black “Miss University.”
1997
1998
First Black Female Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
Rose Jackson Flenorl becomes the first Black woman to be inducted to the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.
1999
William Winter Institute Founded
1999
2000
2000
First Black ASB President Elected
2000
2002
Meredith Honored on 40th Anniversary
2002
Joseph Meredith Named School of Business Outstanding Graduate Student
2002
2003
2003
UM Recognized for Minority Recruitment
The national Council of Graduate Schools recognizes UM for its record in recruiting and graduating minority graduate students.
2003
2004
UM African American Studies Program Receives Degree Status
2006
UM Receives National Recognition for Minorities in Mathematics
2006
2006
2008
First Black Alumni Association President
Rose Jackson Flenorl serves as Alumni Association president.
2008
2008
UM Hosts First Debate of 2008 Presidential Campaign
2011
UM Creates Common Reading Experience
2012
First Black Female Associated Student Body President
2012
2012
Courtney Roxanne Pearson became the first African American homecoming queen.
2012
2012
2013
Myrlie Evers-Williams Honored
2014
Rose Jackson Flenorl
Rose Jackson Flenorl serves as chair of the University of Mississippi Foundation board of directors.
2014
2014
Confederate Drive Renamed
2014
Center for Inclusion Opens
2014
2014
Coliseum Drive Renamed
2015
Confederate Battle Emblem Removed
2015
2016
First VC for Diversity Named
2016
NPHC Garden Celebrated
2016
2018
University Unveils Markers
2019
2019
2019
First Black Female Rhodes Scholar
2019
Carl Tart was selected as the first-ever homecoming king.
2019
2020
2020
Confederate Statue Moved
2020
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2022
Ethel Scurlock Named Dean
2022
60th Anniversary Celebrated
University of Mississippi celebrates its 60th anniversary of integration.
2022