UM sets events to observe 50th anniversary of integration

by elaineabadie

James Meredith at commencement ceremony (above).

REFLECTION PAPERS OF 100-250 WORDS ABOUT ALL OF THESE EVENTS ARE ACCEPTED AND ENCOURAGED.

On the 50th anniversary of integration at University of Mississippi, the focus is on commemorating 50 years of progress in racial reconciliation. The university is planning several events throughout late September and early October, including panel discussions, lectures, a prayer service, a campus walk and tributes.

For a complete list of events, see http://50years.olemiss.edu.

Social activist, singer, songwriter, and actor Harry Belafonte will speak at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, and a limited number of seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendance is FREE but tickets are required. Please email me if you’d like to attend.

September 30 and October 1 Events

Sunday, Sept. 30

Statewide Day of Remembrance: “A Walk of Reconciliation and Redemption”
6:30 p.m.
Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

Prayer Service on the Lyceum Steps at Ole Miss led by local religious community
7 p.m.

“REBELS: James Meredith & the Integration of Ole Miss”
8 p.m.
Narrators: Andrew Harper and Matthew Graves (52-minute documentary)
Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

Monday, Oct. 1

“The U.S. Marshals and Oxford—A 50th Anniversary Panel”
9:30 a.m.
Panelists: John Meredith, son of James Meredith; Don Forsht, Hershel Garner, Denzil N. Bud Staple, Curt Bowden and Robert Moore, retired deputy U.S. marshals
Master of ceremonies: David Turk, U.S. Marshals Service historian
Student Union Ballroom

Black Student Union Tribute to James Meredith
11 a.m.
Student Union Lobby

“A Lawyer’s Impact: Mississippi Burning”
1:30 p.m. 
Speaker: John Doar, former assistant attorney general, U.S. Department of Justice
Robert C. Khayat Law Center, Room 1078

“Integration at Ole Miss — from an Army Perspective”
3 p.m.
Speaker: Henry Gallagher, author of James Meredith and the Ole Miss Riot
Overby Center

“Meredith and Me: The Walk”
5:30 p.m.
50 Years of Integration at the University of Mississippi
Civil Rights Monument

“50 Years of Integration, Opening the Closed Society”
6 p.m.
Keynote speaker: Harry Belafonte
Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
Ticket required
Overflow viewing available at Nutt Auditorium

Reception
7:15 p.m.
Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts Lower Lobby