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