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UGA Announces Date for Mary Frances Early Naming Ceremony

UGA Media Relations

The University of Georgia's first African-American graduate, Mary Frances Early, will be the namesake of one of the school's colleges, with the naming ceremony planned for Feb. 25, 2020, as part of the celebration of Black History Month.

    

The Board of Regents gave its final approval in October to name the College of Education after Early, who graduated in 1962 with a master's degree in music education.

Early lead music education in Atlanta public schools for 37 years and later three of Atlanta's historically black colleges and universities. 

A portrait of Early was dedicated to her in the Administration Building in 2018, and she was awarded the President's Medal, one of UGA's highest honors.

“Through her courage and determination, Ms. Early has made an indelible mark on UGA, and we are pleased to honor her legacy and lifetime of accomplishments as a music educator and civil rights icon,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead in an October press release.

Albany State University President Marion Ross Fedrick will deliver the 20th annual Mary Frances Early lecture on the day of the naming ceremony.

In a press release, UGA President Jere W. Morehead said of Fedrick: "Her leadership of one of the state’s outstanding HBCUs, as well as her successful tenure as a vice chancellor of the University System of Georgia, demonstrate her accomplishments as a senior administrator and her strong commitment to creating opportunities through access to higher education.”

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