A number of alumni gathered at Pavilion V on the Lawn to talk to Virginia Magazine about what is was like to be among the University’s first black students.
In September 1950, Gregory Swanson entered the U.Va. Law School, becoming the first black student to attend the University of Virginia. Swanson, who had already earned a law degree from Howard University, left U.Va. in 1951 and returned to practicing law. Two years later, Walter Ridley became U.Va.’s African-American graduate, earning a doctorate from the Curry School of Education in 1953. Not only was Ridley the University’s first black graduate, he was also the first African American to receive an academic doctoral degree from a traditional Southern white college or university.
During the next decade or so, a group of trailblazing black students attended the University. Many of those students from the 1950s and ’60s returned to Grounds in September for a weekend of sharing memories and celebrating accomplishments. Events included a panel discussion, a guided tour focusing on the history of African-Americans at U.Va., and a reception at Carr’s Hill.
Reunion attendee David Temple (Col ’69, Educ ’72), now a senior research scholar at the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement, described the weekend as “an uplifting experience. Seeing all the young students and the graduate students makes it feel … like we did something right.”
Comments
As a black graduate of Virginia, my thanks go out to the men and women before me that helped make UVa a great place for those that attended later. To the current students at UVa that are black: please continue to do your best on Grounds, both in class and out in the community. We all have a lot to live up to because of the legacy left behind.
Excellent program! Thank you. I recall well entering UVA Law in 1961. We only had two women in our class of 210. I do not recall any blacks in our class. What courage the first blacks had to enter UVA during that period. My hats off. Of course, please remember that northern universities were similarly 'forgetful.' I graduated from Brown University in 1961. Of the 610 in our class, only 2 were black. No doubt there were, then, more than that at UVA. What bothers me now, is that, at the time (1957-1964), I did not think the absence of blacks and women from my class(es) was strange;nor, did it then occur to me to be bothered by that fact. It was the 'order of things' at the time.Fortunately, we were, over the years ,'nudged' by blacks and less 'forgetful' whites to grow up. Gil Wright, Jacksonville, Florida
Great article!!! Seeing these pioneers/trailblazers is very inspirational. I hope current attendees get a chance to see this. Knowledge of the past is critical in shaping the future.
What a great article and video! I wish I had seen this during my years at UVA and think it should be required viewing for all entering students, especially those of color. I so appreciate what these individuals did, not very long ago, to pave the way for my wonderful years at UVA. Thank you, and thank you for sharing.
Partial information is perilous because it entices the mind to extrapolate ones' conclusion. Virginia is a place where groundbreaking experiences happen, which is why it is imperative that we stay involved and connected. Seeds were planted, so that we may labor and care for the harvest.
I first arrived at UVa in the Fall of 1969. Much to my surprise, I found that the undergraduate scool (Arts & Sciences) was all male. Women did not start attending till the Fall of 1970. How could a State University be allowed to segregate women from it's undergraduste ranks?
Unless you were there then, you cannot imagine how surreal it was. During my years (1965-68)at UVa,I recall a member of the athletic establishment saying that they would have blacks on the teams when they could find "one that was good enough." Some things do get better as the years roll by.
Thanks so much for this article. As a graduate UVA's College of Arts and Sciences (1989), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Sociology, 1993), and Law school (1993), who now teaches race and law at a law school out west, I have the deepest appreciation for the trailblazers. Thank you.
I attended UVA from the fall of 1955 until June of 1960 receiving a Ph.D. in Mathematics at that time. There were two other female graduate students in mathematics during those five years. I was a graduate student in mathematics and did not think about the fact that I was in a minority. Those were wonderful years of growing and studying. I'm glad that by the time my daughters were old enough to attend college they could attend UVA as undergraduates.
This short is such a gift. I agree that every First Year, particularly First Years of color, should watch this and be welcomed into the legacy.
When I saw the title of this piece in my in-box I thought that it would describe a contemporary effort to increase diversity at UVa or encourage more multicultural student groups on campus. UVa is definitely headed in the right direction, but there is still work to be done. I hope that the inspiring stories of these individuals can help encourage a sustained and open dialogue about diversity at UVa. A previous commenter's suggestion of showing this video to all the entering students is an excellent idea.
Great video! I enjoyed hearing the stories of those who paved a way for me. I first arrived at UVa in September 1970 having graduated from the last all Black high school senior class of Riverview High School in Courtland, VA. Initially, it was a bit of a cultural shock for me. Since there were so few Blacks at UVa at that time you got to know personally nearly all of the Black students attending UVa - both undergraduate and graduate. During my two years in the School of Commerce, as an accounting major, I was the only Black student in all of my Commerce School courses. However, I had a positive and enjoyable four years at UVa including being a member of the Pep Band with a big Afro hair style. At the time I joined the Pep Band, there were two other Black students in the Band. We were instrumental in persuading the Pep Band to stop playing "Dixie" at football and basketball games - to the dismay of many game attendees.
I had the privilege of witnessing the courage of Gregory Swanson's enrollment and the subsequent attention to which he was exposed. I was proud to be among the many white students who opened their hearts to his inclusion in such an historic initiative.
As a current student at UVa,it is really uplifting to see something like this. I would like to thank all those African American students who have attended UVa, because you made it possible for me to come here and do great things. You opened up many doors, broken many barriers and won many battles. Without you all's courage and determination, the University would not be where it is now. God Bless to the Classes of 1950s and 1960s...
I entered the engineering school in 1954 and recall there were two or three African American first year students in my class and I believe one woman. At the time I think we recognized this was ground-breaking but the class seemed to settle down to studying without any fanfare. When I look at the 1958 "Corks and Curls", it shows a very white and male UVA in the College, Architecture and Engineering graduate photos. Today, when I visit The University, it is such a pleasure to see a student body that looks like America....although the ladies seem to be pushing back on the men. We missed so much in the 50's and 60's by not having a culturally diverse student body.
In 1982, I was the resident advisor to one and the rush advisor to another of the first two black women to be accepted into social sororities at the University. It still astonishes me to think of how many years passed before that milestone was overcome. It also makes we wonder how many other milestones still haven't been reached both at the University and in the United States as a whole. The recent presidential election showed the fall of a huge milestone, but I doubt many of us believe the work is anywhere near over.
Thank you to the video producers and biographers who did an excellent job of putting together this oral history. I agree with one of the above comments that this video should be available for view by all first year students so they can appreciate the roots of diversity at the University. Kudos for a great video. Ina P Montgomery, M.Ed., Curry '95
As a second generation Irish American graduate at UVA, I recall my grand father's words that the Irish (along with the Italians) would never be equal partners in the American experience. "The Irish need not apply" and other selected slogans were all too common. And, if you were Catholic, well - God help you. Still, our ancestors persevered onward and upward. Over time, they earned their way to the top. No hand outs; no affirmative action; no guilt trips on the offenders. Just steady, hard work and cognitive development. Still the battle to end segregation goes on. While St. Patrick's Day is nice, we need Irish History Month. Clearly, who has given more to the cultural fabric of this great land? We need more Irish American players and coaches in the NFL, NBA and MLB. UVA needs to replace speed on the gridiron with speed in the classroom for its student athletes. We need Irish Universities throughout the country to provide high quality and free education to the remnants of this oppression. We need the state controlled media to open its ears to free, fair and balanced expression of our first amendment rights. In short, we need a greener America. Congratulations UVA. Not on just your accomplishments in the racial arena but for your never-ending efforts to remind us of the struggle that lies ahead. May the wind always be at your back and the Blessings of Saint Patrick guide you through your life. Thank you / SMO
This article was very well done and I was so glad to see it. Later in my career, I taught at an all-male black college (Morehouse College) and so could relate to the aspirations and the frustrations experienced by the first students to integrate U. Va. Of course, when I was there (1956-1960) as a graduate student in French, the College did not accept women except in fields not offered at Mary Washington College. They were accepted in graduate school. Also, there were almost no women on the fculty. As a graduate teaching assistant, I became one of only three female instructors in the entire College. Everyone was very nice, but I'll never forget my first day walking into class -- to be greeted with silence and then a careful, incredulous question: "Are you going to be our teacher?" U. Va. has changed and progressed, and was changing even then. What a proud history!
What an impressive short story that all students, not just African American students but, all should watch, appreciate and embrace what those who had come before us had done for us. Well done and thank you.
Just to say "thank you" to the men and women who went before those of us who came in the 1970s. Like my friend Roger Smith, I came to UVA from the same all-black high school, but made lifelong friends at UVA. I also was a member of the Pep Band and had repressed the fight over playing "Dixie" but do recall the fight over the Confederate flags at Scott Stadium. This is a reminder that change does come and that we owe gratitude to those who preceded us and who helped us along the way. I remember fondly both Bill Elwood and President Elgar Shannon, and others.
I was in the Law Class of 1953 when the first black student arrived by order of a federal court. I had no problem with this and occasionally sat with him in the cafeteria when I saw him alone. I was also a law school representative on the Student Government when we were presented with the problem that if we invited him to the dance weekend, the civilian owner of the leased dance hall would shut down the party. We did the right thing and invited him and he was nicely satisfied with this and did not show up. How sad that this was a "problem" and he did not feel welcome to participate.
It is indeed quite inspiring to hear from great pioneers who succeeded in spite of significant adversity.I respect them tremendously and only hope that I can give as they have.
Engaging video. I look forward to the article. Love the period photographs. There is quite a story to be told of (and by) those first black students in engineering, medicine, law, arts and science. I am sure many had experiences in common, but I am equally sure that each one, man and woman, has a story to tell about the days before, during, and after integration among University students.
How lucky were we to have these great people pave our way...Thank you!
@ Mr. O'Flanagan, You weren't trying to mock anyone in a back-handed fashion, were you? Just asking. The "no hand-outs, no affirmative action, no guilt trips on the offenders" passage along with the riff on a need for Irish History Month and such? I see no reason for you to act this way, Sir. Nobody on this forum said anything remotely derogatory towards some of the offenders. The folks on the video retrospective just stated how they were treated and how they felt. And I found what you said about "replacing speed on the field with speed in the classroom" quite offensive. Part of why I went to Virginia was to be enlightened. I find it sad that someone such as yourself attended UVa and was obviously not lucky enough to have gotten the same education I did. Sadly, you sound as if you're out to blame someone for that. I wish you luck in your search, Sir.
Roger Smith '74 (above) can verify that his classmate GLORIA KASEY and I (Class of '75) were the first-ever co-ed/biracial sports tandem in -- I believe -- ACC history, as Gloria & I cheerleaded our 'Hoos to victory!!! [In more ways than one!!!]
I truly enjoyed this article. I found many of these individuals truly inspiring and appreciate the sacrifices made by those that have come before me.
As I know some of the original alumni personally, I hear their stories and learn much about myself and the distance to equality we still have to traverse. Awesome article.
Thank you for a wonderful reflection on the struggles and successes of those who made the University of Virginia a better place for everyone. It has been an honor to know and to work with various alumni featured in the video, and to be a member of the first large group of African American students (90) to enter the University in 1970. Thanks to all who encouraged and who continue to inspire us at every reunion and in between. Continued success to my 1974 classmates Barbara Savage and Roger Smith and good friend Chris Morris ('75). Paulette Jones Morant '74
This video was outstanding and much appreciated. I am very grateful to those who came before me. Although I thank God for how far we have come I am sadden that the people in the video are so young, indicating that African-American participation in UVA classrooms started such a short time ago. Also the fact that African-Americans are less than 10% of the First-Year class is just not enough.
In the Spring of 1959, The Law School's softball team won the University's softball tournament and was invited to play in Richmond for the state college title. Upon our arrival in Richmond, we were told that we could not play at the designated city park because one of our teammates, John Merchant, was black. (At that time he was designated as a "Negro"). Not only was John our teammate and shortstop, he was one of our leaders. In short order, and without much dispute among the other teams, the entire tournament was moved from one city park to another in a "different" neighborhood and the competition commenced. That park is the one in Richmond where the statue of Arthur Ashe now stands.
I read, with great delight, the comments of Mr O'Flanagan. He is right on the money. The persecution of Irish Americans is indeed legendary as he states. As a group, they are to be commended for lifting themselves up from the dregs of society. Isn't it time that we put all of this racism discussion and associated programs to bed. If we hope to ever achieve racial equality, we need to put an end to all this preferential treatment of one group over another. Is there a more racist organization in America than the NAACP? Do they not perpetuate racism, class warfare and bias? Isn't it time to rid society of programs that divide people into groups? Affirmative action, quota's, etc. For example, take a look at something called the "Rooney Rule" in football. Should we have similar quotas for NBA and NFL players? Of course not. Time to dump all this racial division. Thank you Mr. O'Flanagan for bringing this acute need to the forefront. And, oh by the way, while my name sounds Irish - I am black.
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