UA Mourns Death Of First Black Student Autherine Lucy Foster

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama community is mourning the death of Dr. Autherine Lucy Foster, a civil rights trailblazer who was the first Black student to attend the university and even lived long enough to see her legacy honored by her alma mater for years to come.

She was 92.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

UA President Stuart R. Bell expressed grief on behalf of the UA community Wednesday, while also mentioning the immense contributions of the civil rights icon.

“While we mourn the loss of a legend who embodied love, integrity and a spirit of determination, we are comforted by knowing her legacy will continue at The University of Alabama and beyond," Bell said. "We were privileged to dedicate Autherine Lucy Hall in her honor just last week and to hear her words of encouragement for our students. Dr. Foster will always be remembered as one who broke barriers, reminded us of the respect due to every individual and lived a life of strength in steadfast service to her students and community.”

Born in Shiloh, Alabama on Oct. 5, 1929 to sharecropper parents, she would graduate from Miles College in 1952, before applying to attend the University of Alabama in the hopes of receiving a second undergraduate degree. Not intending to make a political statement, Lucy's application would be rejected and set off a historic course of events that culminated in her attending her first class on Feb. 3, 1956.

Lucy's admission to the university sparked violent riots in the community and she would be expelled shortly after due to ongoing protests. In 1988, she would have her expulsion annulled by UA, returning to attend graduate school and eventually going on to earn an honorary PhD in 2019.

More than half a century later, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees added Lucy's name to what was formerly Bibb Graves Hall. However, this set off backlash for Lucy's name being included alongside that of Alabama's former governor, who was a noted member of the Ku Klux Klan. In mid-February, UA trustees opted to drop Graves' name completely from its education building, dedicating it solely to Lucy.

Lucy was on-hand for the building's dedication last week, with the Crimson White reporting on what would become her last public statements prior to her death.

“If I am a master teacher, I hope I am teaching you that love will take care of everything in our world, don’t you think,” she said. “And it does not matter what color we are. That’s what I want to teach. It’s not your color. It’s not how bright you are. It is how you feel about those that you deal with. And if I am a master teacher, that’s what I hope to teach."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.