wfn.org | Central High School Integration Remembered

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (366
notes).

Note 364 by UMNS on Oct. 2, 1997 at 15:40 Eastern (2005 characters).

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally				 552(10-1B)374
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470 	  Oct. 2, 1997

Little Rock School integration remembered
at Philander Smith event; Clintons attend

	LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS)  President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton were among about 1,000 people who attended a candlelight vigil
and reception here Sept. 27 commemorating the 40th anniversary of the
integration of Little Rocks Central High School.
	The event was held at Philander Smith College, one of 11 historically black
colleges related to the United Methodist Church.
	Others attending were the "Little Rock Nine," the first black students at
Central, and Arkansas United Methodist Bishop Janice Riggle Huie.
	Speaking on behalf of the nine students, Terrance Roberts expressed gratitude
for tutoring they received at Philander Smith during the time they were not
allowed to attend school.
	"When we were denied entrance to Central High School in September 1957,
during the three-week period as we awaited the outcome of the legal wrangling
over state rights vs. Federal rights, Philander Smith College faculty and
students tutored us in the high school subjects being taught to future Central
High classmates," he said.
	"From these dedicated educators and scholars we learned the same litany that
had been communicated to us . . . that education was important and excellence
was important and that excellence was the expectation," he said.
	"All of the Little Rock Nine indicated some real strong feelings for
Philander Smith because of the support our faculty gave them," Myer L.Titus,
president of the college, told the Arkansas United Methodist.  
During their September visit to the campus, the Little Rock Nine gathered for
a two-hour session with students.
	In his remarks, Clinton urged the community to pledge to the 1957 heroes that
it will combat current school-related problems such as violence, drugs and
gangs.
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