Event Title
Commemorating LSUNO’s First African American Students
Faculty Sponsor
Michael Mizell-Nelson
College(s)
College of Liberal Arts
Submission Type
Service Learning Presentation
Description
Research in a Digital History course led Ms. Retz to inquire about the 55 African-American students among UNO’s founding freshman class in 1958. Harassment from white students caused most of them to leave the first year. Publication of Ms. Retz’s early work in NOLA.com work along with the names of these students enabled UNO to reconnect with 12 of those students and plan a reunion for March 2013. This project has helped the university to honor these students’ efforts and start filling in lost history through the use of social media and public history practices.
Commemorating LSUNO’s First African American Students
Research in a Digital History course led Ms. Retz to inquire about the 55 African-American students among UNO’s founding freshman class in 1958. Harassment from white students caused most of them to leave the first year. Publication of Ms. Retz’s early work in NOLA.com work along with the names of these students enabled UNO to reconnect with 12 of those students and plan a reunion for March 2013. This project has helped the university to honor these students’ efforts and start filling in lost history through the use of social media and public history practices.