I. 1957: Clyde Kennard

Clyde Kennard, a former sergeant and paratrooper in the U.S. Army, first attempted to enroll at Mississippi Southern College, now The University of Southern Mississippi, in 1957. Because he was initially turned down, he tried again in 1958 and 1959.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the Sovereignty Commission, with the help of Mississippi Southern's president, William D. McCain, carried out an extensive campaign to force Kennard to withdraw his application. Most of these efforts consisted of getting local black and white leaders to persuade Kennard not to enroll. When this failed, school authorities falsely arrested Kennard for the possession of liquor, which had been planted in his car on campus. Later, authorities falsely charged Kennard with stealing chicken feed. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to the maximum penalty of seven years at Parchman Penitentiary. Although Thurgood Marshall argued before the U.S. Supreme Court to have Kennard released, the court held up the lower court's decision and Kennard stayed in prison. A few years later, he died of cancer, exacerbated by overwork and lack of medical attention in the penitentiary.

II. African-American History

In September 1965, Southern Miss enrolled its first African-American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong. Since that time, the school has seen an enormous increase in African-American enrollment and takes great pride in the diversity of its student body. In 1969, Dr. Walter Washington became the first African-American to earn a doctoral degree from Southern Miss or from any Mississippi institution of higher learning.

In February 1993, Southern Miss held "A Celebration of Diversity," during which time the contributions of African-American faculty, staff, and students were honored. At that time, the Student Services Building was renamed Kennard-Washington Hall in honor of Dr. Walter Washington (then president of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi) and Clyde Kennard, an African-American who was denied admission to Southern Miss during the 1950s. The February University Forum lecture was named the Armstrong-Branch African-American History Month lecture to honor the first two African-American students to successfully enroll at the university.

(The Drawl)

III. Oseola McCarty

In July 1995, a quiet 87-year-old washerwoman, Oseola McCarty, gave $150,000 to the university, not for attention, fame, or fortune.

McCarty, a small, stooped woman who washed and ironed other people's clothes for more than 75 years, was spotlighted on a Barbara Walters CBS TV special as one of "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 1995." She was featured on every major TV network, on the front page of the New York Times and in nearly every major U.S. newspaper and magazine, as well as many foreign publications and TV.

Miss McCarty is the epitome of the gift that keeps giving. Following her gift to the university, many young people have been afforded the opportunity of a higher education because of her generosity.

Stephanie Bullock, a 1995 honor graduate from Hattiesburg High School, was the first McCarty scholar. Carletta Barnes, also a graduate of Hattiesburg High School, was rhe second.

When asked about the two young recipients, Miss McCarty had this to say: "I want 'em to keep on learning and get a higher education. I hope and trust in the Lord that I'll be able to see both of them graduate."

Carletta Barnes had this to say about Miss McCarty: "I think she's really an inspiration to everyone when it comes to going to school and in showing that if you work hard for what you want, you can achieve it."

Stephanie Bullock, the first scholar and the subject of much media attention, said this at the beginning of her sophomore year: "For the past year, she (Miss McCarty) has been my motivation. I really want to work hard and do well for her."

If you would like to be a part of helping other students gain access to a college education, consider donating to the McCarty Scholarship Fund.

For further information on how to give, click here.

In the words of the late Oseola McCarty:

"When I leave this world, I can't carry…nothing away from here…
The only thing that I regret is that I didn't have that much more to
give."