The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/9/08 Section: News

THURMOND

Nearly 50 years have passed since Charlayne Hunter-Gault and the late Hamilton Holmes crossed lines of race and violence to enroll at the University.

In honor of their historic achievements, Michael Thurmond, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor, is delivering the 23rd annual Hunter-Holmes lecture today.

The lecture, established in 1985, has featured speakers such as Andrew Young, Cynthia Tucker and Shirley Franklin.

Thurmond, an Athens native, was elected in 1986 to the Georgia General Assembly - the first black elected from Clarke County since Reconstruction.

He created the Workfirst program following his tenure in the assembly, helping thousands of welfare recipients enter the workforce.

Thurmond was a distinguished lecturer at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and was elected commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor.

The Hunter-Holmes lecture received support from student groups, such as the NAACP, which helped integrate the University.

"It's very important to reflect upon the integration of the University," said Shemariah Butts, a junior from Lithonia and the first vice president of the University's chapter of NAACP.

Butts said she is looking forward to hearing from Thurmond, who has excelled in the public spectrum.

Today marks the 46th anniversary of the University's desegregation. The lecture will be open to the public at 2 p.m. at the Chapel.

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