Luther C. McClellan, a member of the Memphis State Eight and the first Black graduate of the institution has passed away at the age of 83. A Historic Achievement McClellan made history in 1962 when he became the first African American to graduate from Memphis State University, now known as the University of Memphis. He was part of the Memphis State Eight, a group of African American students who integrated the university in 1959. This group included Rose Blakney-Love, Eleanor Gandy, Sammie Johnson, Marvis Kneeland Jones, Bertha Rogers Looney, Ralph
Ronald Yancey, an engineer and the first Black graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, presented his granddaughter Deanna Yancey with her master’s degree from the same institution nearly six decades later. Deanna Yancey recently received her master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. A Legacy of Courage and Determination Ronald’s journey to Georgia Tech was marked by resilience. The school initially rejected him, leaving him to attend Morehouse College, where he majored in math and physics. Despite the absence of an engineering program at Morehouse, his determination did not waver. He
