Mississippi Freedom Trail Gets 26th Marker

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) – The state of Mississippi is recognizing another significant part of its history.

On Friday, the Mississippi Freedom Trail Task Force will dedicate its 26th historic marker on the trail, a series of state-funded signs at noteworthy civil rights sites.

The latest marker acknowledges Forrest County native Clyde Kennard, who repeatedly tried to enroll at Mississippi Southern College, now the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, from 1955 to 1959 as part of an effort to desegregate higher education.

Kennard tried to gain admission before James Meredith was admitted to the University of Mississippi in 1962.

USM Dean of Students Eddie A. Holloway says Kennard is so deserving of the honor because he “played such a significant role in the desegregation of schools.”

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