Video: MSU to Honor First African American Student

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Mississippi State University is honoring one of its most prestigious alumni Thursday night.

The school is hosting a banquet for Dr. Richard E. Holmes – the first African American student there.

It’s been 50 years since Holmes enrolled.

He tells WCBI he was only going to take a couple of classes at first, but ended up receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at MSU.

Holmes says he loves his alma mater.

“The university has given me many, many awards and recognitions, but this culminates everything,” Holmes said. “Having a banquet in your honor, having a speaker, and it’s amazing, really. It’s really a humbling experience to see that happening.”

Holmes has been practicing medicine for 35 years.

He says he’s happy to see many African American students enrolled at Mississippi State now.