Story Created:
Jul 30, 2010 at 5:55 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 30, 2010 at 6:51 PM CDT
(Springfield, MO) -- In February, we introduced you to Mary Jean (Price) Walls, the first black applicant at Missouri State University.
In 1950, MSU denied her admission, on the basis of her race. Friday, the university awarded her an honorary bachelors degree. It's the first honorary bachelors degree the university has ever awarded.
Walls applied to MSU 4 years before the school was desegregated. However, in 1950 there were some schools admitting black students.
It wasn't until 1954 that 4 women became the first black students accepted to the university.
Friday, Walls got the degree she always wanted.
It took her 6 decades to get here. The last time Walls wore a cap and gown, she was 18.
"My stomach's not as queasy as it was when i had one on some 50-some-odd years ago. Of course, i had to face a group of people," said Walls, just after donning her graduation gown.
She graduated salutatorian of her high school class. She wanted to become a teacher, but she never got to go college. She applied for a degree in Library Science at MSU. Roy Ellis, then president of the university, denied her application.
"We missed out on having you, and what a shame for us," said Neosha Mackey, dean of Library Services at MSU.
Friday, Walls was recognized for her struggles.
"It's never too late to right a wrong," says Walls.
"I'm happy to know that the university is acknowledging this part of history," says Walls' son, Terry Walls.
"We are all so proud of her. She's had a really rough life and the outcome of it has been beautiful," says her daughter, Rhonda Walls.
"You didn't know it was gonna be like this, did you?" Terry asked his mother, as they sat down in the front row at JQH arena.
"No," Walls answered.
While she never attended MSU, there are few on the campus now who don't know her name.
"Thank you for the life lessons you have taught us," said Pauline Nugent, a professor at MSU, to Walls.
Friday, Walls got the graduation she was denied in her youth.
Among 527 of graduates, Walls was honored.
A woman who always wanted to be a teacher may not work at a school, but she's certainly teaching. It's a lesson about perseverance.
"It's surreal to be able to have this moment, share it with the world, and with my family. It's surreal," says Terry Walls.
Walls says she accepted the degree to help race relations, and to honor her ancestors.
She also hopes to be an inspiration for future generations.
She's well on her way. Her daughter, Rhonda, says she's going back to school this fall, to get her masters degree.
Walls retired just last year, from her job as a janitor. She says she'd like to spend her retirement volunteering.
Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com
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