• 2012
  • 2012
  • 2008
  • 2006
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2002
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1997
  • 1994
  • 1992
  • 1992
  • 1987
  • 1985
  • 1982
  • 1976
  • 1976
  • 1975
  • 1975
  • 1974
  • 1973
  • 1970
  • 1970
  • 1970
  • 1970
  • 1970
  • 1969
  • 1968
  • 1968
  • 1967
  • 1965

  • 2012

    Long jump standout, Brittney Reese wins gold medal at Olympics.

  • 2012

    Kimbrely Dandridge is elected as president of the Associated Student Body, becoming the first African American female to hold the position.

  • 2008

    The university plays host to the first debate of the 2008 presidential campaign welcoming current president, Barack Obama, and Senator John McCain.

  • 2006

    Four African Americans earn their Ph.D.s in mathematics from Ole Miss, more than any other university in the nation.

  • 2004

    The African-American Studies program receives degree status in 2004.

  • 2003

    The national Council of Graduate Schools recognizes UM for its record in recruiting and graduating minority graduate students. Ole Miss ranks 50th nationally in doctoral degrees awarded to African-Americans.

  • 2002

    Joseph Meredith graduates from UM with doctorate degree and is named School of Business outstanding graduate student.

  • 2002

    James Meredith is honored on the 40th anniversary of his admission at the university.

  • 2000

    Nic Lott is named first African American Associated Student Body president. The next year the president of the student body, editor of the student daily newspaper and starting quarterback on the football team are all African-Americans.

  • 1999

    William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation is formed.

  • 1997

    Carissa Alana Wells becomes the first African American “Miss University.”

  • 1994

    Dr. Louis Westerfield becomes the first African American dean at Ole Miss (Dean of the School of Law). In the same year, Dr. Erskine Smith is appointed the first Black department chair at the University (Home Economics, now called Family and Consumer Sciences).

  • 1992

    Roy Lee “Chucky” Mullins Scholarship is created to assist with tuition costs for students with disabilities.

  • 1992

    UM track star Tony Dees receives an Olympic silver medal in the high hurdles in 1992 in Barcelona.

  • 1987

    Damon Moore became the first African American Rhodes Scholar.

  • 1985

    Jennifer Gillom, an Ole Miss All American and Olympic Gold medalist, is named 1985 USA Basketball Athlete of the Year.

  • 1982

    John Hawkins becomes the first African American cheerleader at Ole Miss.

  • 1976

    Peggie Gillom becomes the University’s first Black female basketball player.

  • 1976

    Dr. Lucius Williams becomes the first African American administrator at Ole Miss (Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs).

  • 1975

    Phi Beta Sigma becomes first African American fraternity on campus.

  • 1975

    Ben Williams is the first African-American elected "Colonel Rebel" and first to be elected captain of the football team in 1975.

  • 1974

    Alpha Kappa Alpha becomes the first Black sorority at Ole Miss.

  • 1973

    Omega Psi Phi is the first black fraternity chartered at Ole Miss.

  • 1970

    Coolidge Ball becomes the first African-American to sign an athletics scholarship (basketball) to Ole Miss in 1970.

  • 1970

    African-American Studies Program is created in 1970, offering course-work on the black experience in U.S. and Mississippi.

  • 1970

    Constance Slaughter Harvey becomes the first African American female to graduate from the UM School of Law.

  • 1970

    African American students create the Black Law Students’ Association.

  • 1970

    Jeanette Jennings, the first African-American faculty member, is named assistant professor of Social Work in 1970.

  • 1969

    Edgar Lee Caples becomes the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi School of Engineering.

  • 1968

    The University of Mississippi Black Student Union is founded.

  • 1968

    Robert Walker receives his graduate degree becoming the first African American to complete a graduate degree at Ole Miss.

  • 1967

    Reuben Anderson becomes the first African American graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. He goes on to become the first black state supreme court justice and first black president of the Mississippi Bar Association.

  • 1965

    Verna Bailey is the first African American woman to attend Ole Miss.

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