妻友社区

A new commemorative marker on 妻友社区鈥檚 campus pays tribute to a special part of Georgia Southern鈥檚 history and the University鈥檚 first African-American students who courageously paved the way and provided hope for a better way of life for students who followed. The Integration of Georgia Southern marker, prominently placed on Sweetheart Circle in front of the University鈥檚 Marvin Pittman Administration Building, recognizes the efforts of the African-American students who, in their pursuit of higher education entered an inhospitable environment, counted the costs and found education worth it. 鈥淭he marker will serve as a constant reminder of the bravery and perseverance of our first African-American students, and the community they built,鈥� said 妻友社区 President Jaimie Hebert, Ph.D. 鈥淭heir work was the foundation upon which this University built its mission 鈥� integrity, civility, kindness, collaboration, and a commitment to lifelong learning, wellness, and social responsibility.鈥� Former Georgia Southern President Guy Wells (1926-1934) set out to address racial injustices and the duty to honor and respect all people without respect to race. In 1933, Wells and the president of what is now Savannah State University brought esteemed African-American scientist Dr. George Washington Carver to speak to the student body and Bulloch County community. Following Wells鈥� presidency, former University President Marvin Pittman (1934-41 and聽1943-47) continued the work through his commitment to progressive educational and political ideas in a climate that rejected them. In January 1965, John Bradley became the first African-American student at 妻友社区. In the fall of 1965, Bradley was followed by six undergraduate African-American students: Clavelia Love Brinson, Arlene Marie Daughtry, Ulysee Mosley, Shirley Anne Woodall, Jesse Zeigler Carter and Catherine Davis, a sophomore transfer student who later earned the first bachelor鈥檚 degree awarded to an African-American graduate in the University鈥檚 history. “The unveiling of the historical marker is an awesome honor – a marker honoring the first seven African-Americans to walk the grounds as students at GSU,鈥� said Carter (鈥�69, 鈥�79). 鈥淚’m glad to have been a part of the brave warriors who paved the way for the many students who followed.鈥� African-American student enrollment gradually increased through the 1970s and 80s and dramatically grew in the 1990s to above 25 percent. In 1972, Dr. Charles Bonds became the first African-American faculty member. Today at Georgia Southern, more than 35 percent of our students, 32 percent of our full-time staff and 23 percent of full-time faculty include African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asians. Georgia Southern鈥檚 First 500 alumni have held steadfast in their commitment to higher education. They have set an example through their character and resilience and have provided access to the same educational opportunities at Georgia Southern through scholarships for those who follow in their footsteps. The two-sided commemorative marker reads: Side A: Integration of Georgia Southern African Americans have always been an important part of聽operating the college. Prior to 1965, though, it was as聽carpenters, dairymen, custodians, and cooks 鈥� many of whom聽lived in cottages on campus and had long careers with the聽college. Mose Bass began working at the college in 1929 as a聽dairyman and retired as a custodian for Sanford and Cone Halls聽after 38 years of dedicated service. President Guy Wells (1926-34) challenged traditions of racial聽inequality. An advocate of Y clubs, Wells introduced to campus聽the social awareness promoted by these programs. He also addressed racial injustice in the South while maintaining聽relationships with influential politicians and others who did聽not share his views. With the help of Benjamin Hubert,聽president of the black college in Savannah, Georgia (now聽Savannah State University), Wells arranged for Dr. George聽Washington Carver to give a historic address in 1933 to the聽college鈥檚 student body and Bulloch County community; a crowd聽of 1,500 people. President Marvin Pittman (1934-41 & 1943-47)聽continued the progressive direction established by Wells. Side B: In January 1965, John Bradley became the first African American student at Georgia Southern. A teacher at Statesboro鈥檚 all-black William James High School, Bradley聽applied for admission to complete requirements for a master鈥檚聽level teaching certificate. President Zach Henderson (1948-68)聽personally assisted Bradley鈥檚 registration and, ultimately,聽oversaw the college鈥檚 integration. In the fall of 1965, six聽black students attended the college as undergraduates:聽Clavelia Love Brinson, Arlene Marie Daughtry, Catherine Davis,聽Ulysee Mosley, Shirley Anne Woodall, and Jessie Zeigler. The earliest black students created close and supportive聽relationships to ensure their success and to encourage others.聽African American enrollment increased gradually throughout the聽1970s and 80s and jumped dramatically in the 1990s to above聽25 percent. In 1972, Dr. Charles Bonds became the first聽African American faculty member. President Dale Lick (1978-86)聽encouraged the first significant recruitment of black faculty,聽which included Mical Whitaker and Dr. Wil Grant. The聽University is grateful to these and many other trailblazers. 妻友社区, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 119 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit .