The Daily Gamecock

First black students return 50 years after desegregating USC

While the original iconic steps they climbed have been replaced, Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. stood at the front of the Osborne Administration Building Wednesday morning, marking 50 years since they first left it as students.

University President Harris Pastides addresses a large crowd gathered in front of the iconic location at the Osborne Administration Building where Henrie Monteith Treadwell, James Solomon Jr. and Robert Anderson first enrolled at the university.
University President Harris Pastides addresses a large crowd gathered in front of the iconic location at the Osborne Administration Building where Henrie Monteith Treadwell, James Solomon Jr. and Robert Anderson first enrolled at the university.
James Solomon Jr. addresses the crowd at the 50th anniversary of desegregation at USC.
James Solomon Jr. addresses the crowd at the 50th anniversary of desegregation at USC.
University President Harris Pastides walks with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. to the site of the future desegregation reflection garden.
University President Harris Pastides walks with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. to the site of the future desegregation reflection garden.
Henrie Monteith Treadwell, one of the first African-American students to enroll at USC addresses the crowd at the 50th anniversary of desegregation.
Henrie Monteith Treadwell, one of the first African-American students to enroll at USC addresses the crowd at the 50th anniversary of desegregation.
USC visiting professor Nikky Finney greets James Solomon Jr., one of the first black students to enroll at the university.
USC visiting professor Nikky Finney greets James Solomon Jr., one of the first black students to enroll at the university.
Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. turn over the dirt at the site of the future desegregation reflection garden, leaving a shovel stationary in remembrance of Robert Anderson, who, with Treadwell and Solomon, desegregated the university in 1963.
Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. turn over the dirt at the site of the future desegregation reflection garden, leaving a shovel stationary in remembrance of Robert Anderson, who, with Treadwell and Solomon, desegregated the university in 1963.