Mississippi State dedicates plaza to its first Black student

Mississippi State University dedicated Holmes Plaza and unveiled a monument Aug. 21 to honor Dr. Richard E. Holmes, the school said.

MSU President Mark Keenum said Holmes was the universitys first African American student when he enrolled on July 19, 1965. “Holmes Plaza and the monument we are dedicating today ensures that Dr. Holmes story is always remembered on our campus,” Keenum said.

The university said Holmes was a member of MSUs Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. After graduating, he became a physician who provided health care in Mississippi and Alabama and worked at the MSU Longest Health Center for 30 years, the school said.

At the ribbon-cutting, fraternity member Iterrious Hunter said he was honored to participate in recognizing a fraternity brother. Hunter is also an MSU Promise Scholar, the university said. Other participants included Vice President of Access, Opportunity and Success RaShelda Forbes and MSU Student Association President Keegan Figueroa, the school said.

Keenum said Holmes was “a true pioneer and courageous trailblazer” and that Holmes Plaza now serves as “a place where everyone can find opportunity and belonging.”

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