Fall Semester 1959 Enrollment Attempt
On August 26, 1959, Kennard calls President McCain requesting an application. Kennard submits an application with a letter to Dr. Lucas, Director of Admissions, on September 2. Lucas responds to Kennard on September 14 with his reasons for rejecting the application, setting up Kennard's fateful September 15 meeting with President McCain. After their brief meeting, Kennard is arrested on campus and charged with illegal possession of liquor and reckless driving and taken to jail.
From the University of Southern Mississippi Digital Collections General Files. Postcard of the Hub. The Hub (University of Southern Mississippi student union) is a neoclassical-style red-bricked building with four large windows on either side of a central main door. There is a road in front of the building with two green-colored cars parked in front. In front of the road, closest to the camera, is a grass lawn with small trees and bushes.
Title: The Hub; circa late 1950s
Publisher: University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. (electronic version)
Rights: IN COPYRIGHT; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Citation: Unknown, “The Hub; circa late 1950s,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
Color photo of the administration building in 1960.
Title: Administration Building (ca. 1960)
Citation: “Administration Building (ca. 1960),” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the University of Southern Mississippi Digital Collections University of Southern Mississippi Photographs Collection. A photograph of William D. McCain, fifth President of Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi), on right foreground of photo, with Governor Paul B. Johnson, Jr., on center foreground of photograph, and Mrs. Paul B. Johnson, Jr., right foreground of photograph, attending a football game.
Title: President William D. McCain; ca. 1960
Publisher: University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. (electronic version)
Rights: IN COPYRIGHT - RIGHTS-HOLDER(S) UNLOCATABLE OR UNIDENTIFIABLE; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/
Citation: Unknown, “President William D. McCain; ca. 1960,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
Image above
“Photograph of Aerial view of University of Southern Mississippi campus; April 1962.” From the University of Southern Mississippi Digital Collections University of Southern Mississippi Photographs Collection. Black-and-white photograph of an aerial view of campus. The view is from the south, with the Administration Building and Bennett Auditorium in the center.
Publisher: University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. (electronic version)
Rights: IN COPYRIGHT; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Citation: Unknown, “Photograph of Aerial view of University of Southern Mississippi campus; April 1962,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
Black and white picture of the Administration building where President McCain met with Clyde Kennard.
Title: Administration Building, Circa 1960
Publisher: USM Digital Collections
Rights: Digital Collections, USM
Citation: USM, “Administration Building, Circa 1960,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the University of Southern Mississippi Digital Collections University of Southern Mississippi Photographs Collection. Photograph of a campus street (Pearl Street looking east?) with cars. The Home Economics and Administration buildings can be seen.
Title: University of Southern Mississippi campus street and buildings; ca. 1963
Publisher: University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. (electronic version)
Rights: IN COPYRIGHT; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Citation: Unknown, “University of Southern Mississippi campus street and buildings; ca. 1963,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the University of Southern Mississippi Digital Collections Mississippiana Collection. Photograph of Aubrey Lucas and President William D. McCain when Lucas was announced as McCain's successor. Image featured in Chester M. Morgan's book, Dearly bought, deeply treasured on page 137. Both men are wearing glasses, suits, and ties, and are facing the photo's right side. McCain is on the photo's left side sitting, while Lucas is standing on the right side behind a podium with a microphone near his face. There is an unidentified man in the right side behind Lucas.
Title: Photograph of Aubrey Lucas and Dr. William D. McCain; 1975
Publisher: University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. (electronic version)
Rights: IN COPYRIGHT; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Citation: Unknown, “Photograph of Aubrey Lucas and Dr. William D. McCain; 1975,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
Image above
“Photograph of President William D. McCain; ca. 1960.” From the University of Southern Mississippi Digital Collections University of Southern Mississippi Photographs Collection. A black-and-white photograph of William D. McCain, fifth President of Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi). He is facing the camera, wearing glasses and a dark suit with a light-colored button-down and dark tie. His right arm is resting in front of him on an off-lens table.
Publisher: University Libraries at The University of Southern Mississippi. (electronic version)
Rights: IN COPYRIGHT; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Citation: Unknown, “Photograph of President William D. McCain; ca. 1960,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Clipping of a newspaper article from the Clarion-Ledger about Clyde Kennard's arrest on the Mississippi Southern College campus on September 15, 1959. States that Kennard was arrested for reckless driving and illegal possession of whiskey, and was released on bond later the same day. Explains that Kennard had a meeting on campus with Dr. McCain and was arrested shortly after.
Title: Newspaper Article "Negro Is Jailed After Attempt to Enroll in Southern Classes"; September 16, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Link to text version of article
Citation: Unknown, “Newspaper Article "Negro Is Jailed After Attempt to Enroll in Southern Classes"; September 16, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the University of Southern Mississippi Student Printz General History Files, RG004-GHF. Newspaper article from the Student Printz, reports that Clyde Kennard was denied entry to Mississippi Southern College for the second time. Cites the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences that the denial of admission was due to incomplete records and failure to meet admissions requirements. Also describes Kennard’s arrest on campus for illegal alcohol possession and reckless driving on. A lawyer from Jackson will represent Kennard’s defense in the case of the illegal substance possession and reckless driving, but not against MSC.
Title: Newspaper Article "Negro Is Again Refused Entry"; September 25, 1959
Publisher: University of Southern Mississippi
Rights: COPYRIGHT UNDETERMINED; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Link to text version of article
Citation: Student Printz, “Newspaper Article "Negro Is Again Refused Entry"; September 25, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From Newspapers by Ancestry Digitized Newspapers Collection. Report in the Hattiesburg American on the trial of Clyde Kennard who was arrested on the Mississippi Southern College campus for reckless driving and possession of liquor. Provides the arresting constables' account of what led to Kennard's arrest and charges, as well as that Kennard was fined $600.
Title: Newspaper Article "Negro Kennard Fined $600"; September 29, 1959
Publisher: Hattiesburg American; Newspapers by Ancestry. (digital version)
Rights: COPYRIGHT UNDETERMINED; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Link to text version of article
Citation: Unknown, “Newspaper Article "Negro Kennard Fined $600; September 29, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Memo informing that Mr. Purser Hewitt, managing editor for the Clarion-Ledger newspaper, contacted Zack J. Van Landingham on April 28, 1959 about observing the investigation in Poplarville, Mississippi of the lynching of Mack C. Parker. Van Landingham also discusses his phone conversation with ASAC Andy Dinsmore about Hewitt's visit, as well as how to deal with Clyde Kennard. Van Landingham shares that Attorney Dudley Connor suggested having Kennard's car hit on train tracks or be lynched.
Title: Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Director; May 5, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Citation: Van Landingham, Zack J., “Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Director; May 5, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Memo from Zack J. Van Landingham listing county, license number, automobile make, names, and addresses of attendees at a NAACP meeting in Jackson, Mississippi that occurred on May 17, 1959.
Title: Memo from Zack J. Van Landingham to Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission; July 6, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Citation: Van Landingham, Zack J., “Memo from Zack J. Van Landingham to Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission; July 6, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Report about Clyde Kennard's meeting with Dr. William D. McCain of Mississippi Southern College on September 15, 1959. Kennard was planning to register on that day and it was decided by Van Landingham and Governor J. P. Coleman that McCain would meet with Kennard about his application rejection. During the meeting, which Van Landingham was present, Kennard was told his medical paperwork were fake, his grades at the University of Chicago were not acceptable for a transfer student, and MSC never received his transcript from the University of Chicago. Following the meeting, Kennard was arrested by two constables for reckless driving and possession of liquor. Van Landingham recounts his efforts to find out what happened and who was responsible. He also states his plans to follow up on the incident, Kennard's University of Chicago records, Kennard's medical exam, and the Forrest County Co-Operative's suit against Kennard.
Title: Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman; September 21, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Citation: Van Landingham, Zack J., “Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman; September 21, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Memo from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman informing him that Dr. William D. McCain, President of Mississippi Southern College, was contacted by Clyde Kennard on August 26, 1959, requesting an application. Van Landingham states that McCain wants the information to be kept confidential. Also states the college's registration date, and Van Landingham's intentions to contact professors and several African American individuals who could dissuade Kennard from attempting to apply again.
Title: Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman; August 27, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Citation: Van Landingham, Zack J., “Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman; August 27, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Memo describing Zack J. Van Landingham's meeting with Dr. E. R. Jobe and Mr. J. L. Scott of the Board of Higher Learning that occurred on August 28, 1959 about Clyde Kennard's attempts to enroll at Mississippi Southern College. Van Landingham informs that the Board passed a resolution that transfer students, except for athletes and other specific individuals, can only enter MSC if their grades from their previous college were A's. This would apply to both white and black students, including Kennard as his grades at the University of Chicago were below said requirement. They also discuss other methods to keep Kennard out of MSC, as well as about having a Dr. J. H. White of Itta Bena visit Kennard and Van Landingham's future steps.
Title: Memo from Zack J. Van Landingham to Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Director; August 28, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Citation: Van Landingham, Zack J., “Memo from Zack J. Van Landingham to Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Director; August 28, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Memo recounts interviews with several individuals who know or are connected to Clyde Kennard, which took place in September 1959. The interviews were about Kennard as well as the interviewee's willingness to talk to Kennard or Kennard's mother, Leona Smith, about Kennard not applying to Mississippi Southern College in fall 1959. Those interviewed included: Dr. Charles W. Smith, Professor N. R. Burger, Clarence Bates, Mr. Jimmy Bodaman, Huber Holder, Rabbi Charles Mantinband, Dave A. Matison, and Mr. Albert Hulett. Many individuals also gave further names of who would have influence over Kennard. Van Landingham also talked to Mr. D. L. Williams of the Forrest County Co-Operative about his lawsuit against Kennard, and insurance agent Mr. C. L. Willison who Kennard had liability automobile insurance with.
Title: Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman; September 14, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Citation: Van Landingham, Zack J., “Memorandum from Zack J. Van Landingham to Governor J. P. Coleman; September 14, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Letter accompanying Clyde Kennard's application to Mississippi Southern College for the fall 1959 semester. Kennard explains that he could not find five MSC alumni to recommend him but rather requests that five recommendations from professionals in Hattiesburg's black community be accepted. Kennard also explains why he wishes to enroll at MSC as well as his stance regarding segregation and why segregationists' points are invalid. These points include racial mixing, low morals among black individuals, that white students are more academically superior to black students, there would be no reason for black teachers if schools integrated, and that white and black schools are equal. Kennard closes with that he would not wish to involve the Federal Court but would if it is necessary to be admitted to MSC.
Title: Letter from Clyde Kennard to Aubrey K. Lucas; September 2, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Link to text version of admission letter
Citation: Kennard, Clyde, “Letter from Clyde Kennard to Aubrey K. Lucas; September 2, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Letter detailing why Clyde Kennard was denied admission to Mississippi Southern College. Some reasons include that MSC did not receive a copy of Kennard's transcript from the University of Chicago, the medical certificate submitted appeared to be false and is indicative of poor moral character, and that Kennard had been denied re-admittance to the University of Chicago.
Title: Letter from Aubrey K. Lucas to Clyde Kennard; September 14, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Link to text version of admission response
Citation: Lucas, Aubrey K., “Letter from Aubrey K. Lucas to Clyde Kennard; September 14, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Kennard writes his stance on the topic of segregation and the race question in American society, with specific reference to American history and the philosophical arguments the country was founded on. He states that individuals of the same country, region, state, and city should be treated equally, and that those who claim otherwise are more in-line with the thinking of Fascists and Communists.
Title: Letter to the Editor "The Race Question"; September 25, 1959
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Link to text version of the letter
Citation: Kennard, Clyde, “Letter to the Editor "The Race Question"; September 25, 1959,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission Collection. Clyde Kennard writes about his reasoning for attempting to enroll at Mississippi Southern College, but primarily about his opinions on the issue of segregation. He speaks against segregationist beliefs on why the races should be separate. These points include racial mixing, low morals among black individuals, that white students are more academically superior to black students, there would be no reason for black teachers if schools integrated, and that white and black schools are equal. He calls for an official study by social scientists on the outcomes and effects of integration. He states that integration would be the most economical and sensible, both in schools and general society. He believes in individual states' rights to govern themselves, but would take his case of enrolling at MSC to a Federal Court if needed.
Title: Letter to the Editor "School Mix"; January 23, 1960
Publisher: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Rights: NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Link to text version of the letter
Citation: Kennard, Clyde, “Letter to the Editor "School Mix"; January 23, 1960,” Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero.