University of Alabama Commemorates Its First African-American Students

Fifty years after the first two African-American students enrolled at The University of Alabama following then-Gov. George Wallace’s unsuccessful “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door,” UA will commemorate that historic day and celebrate 50 years of progress with two public events – a program featuring speakers and musical performances on June 11, and an interfaith community prayer breakfast on June 7.

Tuesday, June 11, UA will host “Through the Doors: Courage. Change. Progress.” The program at Foster Auditorium is designed to recognize and honor the courage and dedication of Vivian Malone and James Hood, the two African-American students who enrolled at UA on June 11, 1963. It will include presentations by current UA students and alumni as well as musical performances. The event will begin with a reception in the Malone-Hood Plaza outside Foster Auditorium and will conclude by 7 p.m.

The public is also invited to an interfaith community prayer breakfast at 7:30 a.m., Friday, June 7 in the Bryant Conference Center. The program will celebrate the role of the faith community in the civil rights movement. Following commendations to Canterbury Episcopal Chapel and First African Baptist Church for their helpful roles in the events of 1963, the program will include performances by UA’s Afro-American Gospel Choir, a brief oral history of the local civil rights movement and prayers. While the breakfast is free, those planning to attend are asked to register at http://uaferguson.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=576940 by June 3.For more information about the events for June, click here.