Found 79 events matching "1956 first african american undergraduates"
Vivian Henderson became the first African American faculty member after taking a position as a visiting professor in the Department of Economics. Henderson was a friend of MLK Jr., and he later became president of the historically black Clark College in Atlanta, GA.
Dorothy Williams became the first African American instructor with faculty ranking in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Arthur Clement graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture in the College of Design (formerly the School of Design).
Hubert Winston became the first African American faculty member in the College of Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Dr. Winston was also the first African American to earn a PhD from the College of Engineering while studying chemical engineering.
Margaret Hunt and Lillie Castor were the first two African American women hired as professional librarians to work at the D. H. Hill Jr. Library.
Walter Holmes joined the marching band and the concert band during his first semester at State College in 1956. Holmes's presence in the band complicated segregation laws in stadiums and dining halls throughout the south. In 1957, Holmes dined with the band in the Clemson College dining hall. South Carolina residents circulated a petition asking Governor Timmerman "to see that such racial mixing doesn't occur again, especially when N.C. State visited the University of South Carolina here Nov. 23." Holmes's presence in the band also angered NC State alumni. State alumnus A. W. Boswell wrote a letter to H. W. Taylor, director of alumni affairs, opposing the band's integration. Chancellor Bostian replied to Boswell's letter stating the band director was legally obligated to audition "Negroes." He continued stating, "Two Negroes appeared for tryouts. One was rejected because of only fair performance on his instrument. The individual approved for being in the band is an excellent musician and there was no way the Director of the band could eliminate him."
Dwuan June was the first African American editor of the Technician student newspaper.
State College admitted two African American graduate students into the School of Engineering: Robert Clemons and Hardy Liston. Clemons became the college's first black graduate. Liston withdrew and didn't complete his degree.
Irwin Holmes earned a BS in electrical engineering, making him the first African American undergraduate to receive a degree at NC State. Further documentation of Irwin Holmes's life exists at DigitalNC.
Students formed NC State's first African American Cultural Center, which was given space in the YMCA building.
Marcus Martin was the first African American player to join the football team.
The first African-American woman to earn an MS degree in botany was Deogratias Artis.
Carol Janerette was the first African-American woman to earn a PhD degree in Botany.
Carl Ray Barnes was the first African-American student to earn an undergraduate degree in botany.
Nolan was the first openly GLBTQ-identifying student body president, and Stafford was the first African American student body vice president.
The Libraries' Collection Management department was established with African American employee Margaret Hunt as its first head.
Alfred "Al" Heartley and William Cooper became the first African American members of the freshman basketball team. Heartley later went on to play on the varsity team.
Sidney Lowe served as the first African American head coach of the men's basketball team from 2006 to 2011. Lowe was the starting point guard for NC State's 1983 basketball team which won the national championship.
Hazel Virginia Clark received a master's degree in occupational information and guidance. She was the first African American woman to receive a master's degree from NC State.
Edward Carson was the first African American student employed at the Libraries. He later served on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Library.
