RICHMOND —
Eastern Kentucky University officials unveiled a commemorative permanent display Monday honoring 11 of the university’s first African-American students, faculty, staff and student-athletes who broke barriers and paved the way for today’s diversity initiatives at ceremonies coinciding with the campus’ observation of Black History Month.
The ceremony, which took place outside the university’s historic Keen Johnson Building, included the unveiling of the display, which, originally part of a centennial celebration, has now found a permanent home in a place of honor.
Following the brief outdoor ceremony, the approximately 100 participants adjourned to the inside of the building for a reception and recognition program.
Those honored included:
• Andrew Miller (deceased), EKU’s first African-American student, who enrolled in a 1956 summer graduate course. A Richmond High School teacher, Miller continued at EKU to earn a graduate degree in 1958.
• George Lee, EKU’s first African-American football player.
• Jack Jackson, who became a student in 1961 on an athletic/work study grant and became the first African-American president of the EKU International Alumni association.
• Aaron Marsh and John Tazel, who helped lead the EKU football team to a bowl bid in 1967.
• Anne Peyton, the first African-American student to attend EKU all four years and graduate.
• Robert Warfield, the first and only African-American president of EKU’s Student Government Association and student representative on the Board of Regents.
• Jim Way (deceased), who received a master’s degree from EKU and was the first African-American to join the EKU faculty in the Industrial Arts Department in 1966.
• Delma Francis, who became the first African-American editor of “The Eastern Progress” in 1974. She later went on to a successful journalism career, including work at the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
• John Black (deceased), one of EKU’s first African-American staff members.
• Hazel Warford (deceased), a custodian from 1931 to 1961, who gave boxing lessons to generations of EKU students, and who is honored with a plaque in the Weaver Health Building recognizing his years of service.
During ceremonies inside the building, Sandra Moore, associate provost for diversity planning at EKU, noted that the list of honorees is only a small representation of African-Americans who have made significant contributions to the university throughout its history.
“This list could be much longer. African-Americans have made a remarkable number of contributions at EKU,” said Moore. She said she would like to compile an “EKU encyclopedia of diversity” at EKU as a future project.
Other speakers included EKU president Doug Whitlock and one of the honorees, Jack Jackson, who recalled his time at EKU.
“There’s something special about this place,” Jackson said.
Family members of deceased honorees accepted framed replicas of the display, copies of which will be delivered to those who are living, but could not attend.
Moore said the display originally was part of a campus-wide celebration of the university’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2006.
She said it was housed in the campus’ central storage area until it was recently brought to her attention by William “Billy” Way, a construction and repair technician, and the son of Jim Way, one of the honorees, whose picture is included on it.
After she had authenticated the information in the display, Moore said it was decided to make it a permanent fixture on the Richmond campus as a tribute to those who helped break down barriers to diversity.
Local News
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EKU officials unveiled this plaque Monday during a Black History Month event on campus. It will be permanently displayed outside the Keen Johnson Building. Photo by Nancy Taggart
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