A tornado watch wasn’t enough to stop the late February unveiling of an exhibit to celebrate the history of black students at Georgia Tech. Several of Tech’s first black students were in attendance, and after going through desegregation, they weren’t about to be deterred by weather.

The event, held as part of the Institute-wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the matriculation of black students at Tech, featured a panel discussion on diversity, a reception and speeches to commemorate the occasion.

The exhibit, displayed in the Alumni House, was created through collaboration between the Georgia Tech Black Alumni Organization and the Alumni Association. It features photographs, art and a timeline marking notable moments in the history of black students, faculty and staff at the Institute.

Francine McCarley-Foxworth, IE 79, chair of GTBAO’s history committee, explained that the idea for the display first came up in 2006. She thanked Marilyn Somers, director of the Alumni Association’s Living History program, for supporting the effort and supplying historical information.

“The main inspiration [for the exhibit] was student activism,” McCarley-Foxworth said.

She explained that the first students “weren’t coming to Georgia Tech for college. They were coming to stake their claim to the American dream.”

GTBAO leaders also thanked Alumni Association President Joe Irwin, IM 80, for assisting with the project.

“This project was a long time in the making,” Irwin said. “I’m so delighted with the result. When we get visitors, which we do daily, you’ll see them studying it.”

The exhibit’s timeline begins at 1961, the year Tech President Edwin Harrison and his administration made plans for the peaceful integration of the Institute. Later that year, Ralph Long Jr., Ford Greene and Lawrence Williams enrolled.

Long, the only one of the three in attendance, was recognized as GTBAO president Errika Mallett, ISyE 96, listed the efforts of the early students.

“This is an amazing occasion, one because of this exhibit and two because of the history in this room,” Mallett said. “I would encourage you to bring your children here. Bring prospective students and current students. That’s your history.”

Other guests included Georgia Sen. Hardie Davis, EE 92; Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson; Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Dean Jacqueline Royster; and Eddie McAshan, IM 79, Tech’s first black quarterback.

The exhibit also notes the 1966 “surge” as 10 black students enrolled at Georgia Tech that year.

“Ten is hardly a surge, but it is a start,” Peterson said. “We can be proud and pleased with the courage of the first students and of the [Institute’s] leaders. Georgia Tech was going to do everything it could to do it right. But we have a lot of work yet to do.”

Haywood Solomon, IM 70, a member of the 1966 surge, reflected on his years as a student. He said the students all lived in the Burge apartments and gathered regularly at a particular table in the Brittain Dining Hall. Later, they opened the first Black House, a cultural center for black students.

“Tech had a culture of acceptance, but it wasn’t overt,” Solomon said. “Students were not friendly. To survive, we had to create our own community.

“Today there are over 10,000 black alumni. I was the only one in my graduating class.”

Solomon encouraged the audience to continue to help with the recruitment and support of black students, and he called for support for GTBAO’s 50th anniversary scholarship endowment. The organization hopes to raise $2,011,000 by June 30.

Archie Ervin, vice president for Institute Diversity, said with Georgia and national demographics changing, Georgia Tech needs to work harder to recruit a broader range of students.

“The issue is making it a campus they want to come to,” Ervin said. “The story is that in 25 years our population base of students will not be what it is today. Are we going to capture the talent that has not been mined?”

While the unveiling ostensibly was focused on the past, the subject of the future came up frequently. Solomon reminded the attendees that the exhibit should encourage people to look forward.

“We’re so glad to see us move from surviving to becoming a fully integrated part of campus,” Solomon said. “It is great to see the legacy move from the past to the future.”