U of M honors Memphis State 8 — 60 years later
Zelma Dillihunt, sister of the late Memphis State 8 member Sammie Burnett Johnson, listens intently as one of her sister's colleagues reminisces about their groundbreaking time as the first African American students to attend the university. The Memphis State 8 were honored on campus Sept. 18 at a 60th anniversary ceremony. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Five of the original eight students who integrated Memphis State University in 1959 are still living and attended the event.
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Bertha Rogers Looney John Simpson Luther McClellan Memphis State 8Jane Roberts
Jane Roberts has reported in Memphis for more than 20 years. As a senior member of The Daily Memphian staff, she was assigned to the medical beat during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has done in-depth work on other medical issues facing our community, including shortages of specialists in local hospitals. She covered K-12 education here for years and later the region’s transportation sector, including Memphis International Airport and FedEx Corp.
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