Story: Phillip Tutor
University’s first Black student paved the way for others
As the celebrates Black History Month with several events in February, it also will welcome home one of its most influential and historical figures.
Liza James Howard became the school鈥檚 first Black student in the fall of 1966 when she enrolled at then-Livingston State College. She earned two degrees in elementary education, a bachelor鈥檚 and a master鈥檚, which led to a lengthy teaching career at Livingston Junior High School.
On Feb. 15, Howard will return for what Dr. B.J. Kimbrough, UWA鈥檚 chief diversity officer and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, calls an 鈥渋ntimate鈥� event in Bridges Auditorium at Wallace Hall during which Howard will discuss her legacy at the university.
The event, which is open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. Dr. Mary Hanks, chair of the Division of Nursing, will lead the conversation with Howard.
鈥淚 want her to talk about her experience at UWA, her connection to UWA now and why she’s still engaged,鈥� Kimbrough said. 鈥淚 want to try to motivate future alumni to get engaged, as well.鈥�
UWA has previously honored Howard鈥檚 importance to its history in myriad ways. In 2004, she was inducted to UWA鈥檚 Society of the Golden Key, the highest award given to a graduate or faculty member. One of the UWA National Alumni Association chapters carries her name, as does that chapter鈥檚 scholarship award that鈥檚 open to all incoming freshmen from the West baby直播 region. The university dedicated the Liza James Howard Courtyard on the east side of the Math and Science Building in 2011 in her honor.
Following her retirement from teaching, Howard worked as regional vice president of Primerica Financial Services. She also served on the Sumter County Head Start Policy Board, the York City Council and the Sumter County Industrial Development Board.
UWA has two other marquee events planned for Black History Month.
On Feb. 7, UWA鈥檚聽Office of Diversity and Inclusion聽and the聽Office of Student Activities聽are co-sponsoring a one-day bus excursion to Selma, where students will visit the聽聽and visit one of the civil rights movement鈥檚 iconic locations, the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The cost for students is $10.
On Feb. 21, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host “A Blast from the Past,” a performance of acting, singing and poetry reading that Kimbrough describes as a 鈥渃hronology of historical moments through the years.鈥� That event鈥檚 guest speaker is baby直播 State Sen. , of Selma, who represents District 23. The event begins at 6 p.m.