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August 28, 1959

MEMO TO:, [sic] Director, State Sovereignty Commission

FROM: Zack J. Van Landingham

SUBJECT: Clyde Kennard

On August 28, 1959, Dr. E. R. Jobe ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ and Mr. J. L. Scott ^[strikethrough]0[strikethrough]^ of the Board of Higher Learning came by my office to discuss Clyde Kennard’s endeavors to enter Mississippi Southern College. Dr. Jobe stated that the Board had recently passed a resolution to the effect that no student could enter Mississippi Southern College on transfer unless his grades at the previous college were A’s. He stated, of course, that there were certain exceptions made in the case of athletes and other outstanding individuals. He felt that the resolution should be applied to both white and colored students alike. He stated that Kennard’s grades at the University of Chicago were not very good and for this reason he would be turned down. They had also considered stating that all the dormitories were full and their registration had reached the point where they could handle no more students and therefore close out registration.

During the conversation it developed that Dr. J. H. White of Itta Bena had telephoned Dr. Jobe, informing him of my request to come to Jackson Monday and go to Hattiesburg in connection with the Kennard case. Both Dr. Jobe and Mr. Scott were somewhat apprehensive that White could harm himself more than any good he could to. They said that White had some very bitter enemies both among the white and colored races, especially in Leflore County. They were willing for White to go to Hattiesburg provided he worked “behind the scenes” and merely counseled and advised as to the steps to be taken. I informed Dr. Jobe that I intended to go to Hattiesburg Monday to be on the spot and keep up with the developments and that I would keep him and the Board of Higher Learning advised of the steps we decided to take.

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[stamp of STATE SOVEREIGNTY COMMISSION with date of AUG 28 1959 with lines for INDEXED, SERIALIZED, and FILED, initialed by [?]]

[ICC.A.G?]

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