First black student to go to University of Alabama given honorary degree

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The first black student to attend the University of Alabama has been received an honorary degree, 63 years after being expelled as a result of protests and death threats.

Autherine Lucy Foster, now 89, was the first black student to ever enrol at the university, and was only able to do so after a court intervened in her favour after an initial rejection to the university in 1952.

Just three days after she became a student in 1956, however, Ms Foster was expelled from the university and wasn’t able to complete her degree until 35 years later in 1991.

“I love The University of Alabama, and it is an honour to be recognised in this way,” Ms Foster said.

“I am thankful for opportunities such as this, which allow us to talk about the past while looking to the future,” she continued.

The president of the school, Stuart R Bell, said in a statement that Ms Foster was a beacon showing the importance of education and humanity in the face of adversity.

“It’s truly a privilege to award Mrs Foster with an honorary degree form The University of Alabama,” Mr Bell said in the statement.

“Her tenacious spirit, gracious heart of helping others and unfailing belief in the value of education and human rights positions Mrs Foster as a meaningful example of what one can achieve in the face of adversity,” he continued.