225 years of Tar Heels: Harvey Beech, James Lassiter, J. Kenneth Lee, Floyd McKissick, James Walker

Posted Feb 28, 2019
In 1951, five African-American students enrolled in UNC’s School of Law, effectively desegregating UNC. The students were Harvey Beech, James Lassiter, J. Kenneth Lee, Floyd McKissick and James Robert Walker. By the mid-1950s, black students were admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences. Today, the UNC GAA recognizes them with awards in their names. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

For Tift Merritt, Time and Patience Have Made the Difference
Tift Merritt never thought she’d end up back in her hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. For about 15 years she toured through America and Europe...
Sun Feb 15, 2026

Rich Eisen can’t bring himself to watch Stuart Scott ’30 for 30' yet
ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary stays close to home, covering the life of Stuart Scott, an icon of the Worldwide Leader’s SportsCenter era. Rich...
Sun Feb 15, 2026

UNC business, nursing online programs rank among nation’s best
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Program Rankings place online master’s programs from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and the UNC School of...
Sat Feb 14, 2026

Gift from UNC alums will fund 20 Carolina Covenant scholars
A transformational estate gift from Dwight Jacobs ’87 and Moira Jacobs ’87 will support future generations of Carolina Covenant scholars. “If we could help 20...
Mon Feb 9, 2026