Newswise — The University of Mississippi hosts a dedication ceremony for its new civil rights monument at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 1 on the Oxford campus. The monument, located between the Lyceum and the John D. Williams Library, features a life-size statue of James Meredith, the first black student admitted to the university. It also includes a 17-foot-tall limestone portal, brick benches and historical markers.
Meredith is to be on hand for the ceremony, which caps a weeklong series of events marking the 44th anniversary of the university's integration. Other events include a musical program in the Grove, the unveiling of a mural depicting the university's progress in promoting diversity, panel discussions, a film and a display of "Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs" at the Williams Library. For a full schedule of events, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/calendar/.
The dedication ceremony is to feature music by the UM Gospel Choir and Combined Choirs, and appearances by Gov. Haley Barbour, former Gov. William Winter and the Meredith family. The keynote address is to be delivered by U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. Following the ceremony, some of the principals will be available for limited media opportunities.
No special credentials are required for media representatives wishing to cover the ceremony. A special area for still and video photography will be reserved for media representatives with proper identification. Print media representatives can simply take a chair in the general seating area.
The UM Office of Media and Public Relations will provide a same-day story from the event, along with photography and broadcast-quality video.
For more information on the ceremony or for assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7236.
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