MSU College of Education Celebrates 50 Years of Integration

On March 31 and April 1, the College of Education held its annual Dean’s Lecture Series on Multicultural Education. This year’s theme celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first African American student at Murray State University.

The series started with the lecture on March 31. Elnora Ford, niece of Mary Ford Holland, the first African American student to enroll and graduate from Murray State, was the guest speaker for the series. Ford shared journals and other reminiscences of her aunt’s journey. Ford told about her aunt’s life before, during, and after Murray State. Holland was born in Trigg County, KY, but her family moved to Lyon County so they could go to school. She obtained an elementary school teacher’s license from a technical school in Paducah. She taught in Paducah, but wanted to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. She enrolled in MSU after being recruited by a school official. According to Ford, Holland only heard one racial slur while attending MSU, although she was not allowed to live in the dorm or eat in the cafeteria. Holland was in her early fifties when she received her degree from MSU. In the latter years of her career Holland taught remedial reading in Lyon County. She lived to be in her nineties.

Joy Navan, coordinator of the lecture, was pleased with the event: "We are very fortunate that Ms. Ford is the family historian and was able to share in such wonderful details the memories of her aunt, Mary Ford Holland, a truly remarkable lady.”

The Lecture Series continued on April 1 with a luncheon featuring a panel discussion that examined issues of cultural transmission regarding education and excellence. Ford served on the panel as well as COE faculty Shirley Massie, COE graduate assistant Sangkae Prasertchoung, and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Mike Young. At the luncheon the panel members shared stories about their experiences at MSU with the audience. Dennis Jackson, the first African American athlete at MSU, attended the luncheon and recalled his experiences as well.

Murray State will continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its integration with other events this year including the Sparks Lecture (see page ?) and Homecoming.