| 'Opening Doors' concludes
with speeches, storms, strides forward
June 11, 1963: Former Alabama Gov. George Wallace stood in the door of Foster Auditorium, resisting social change and refusing to admit two African-American students to the University of Alabama. June 11, 2003: A sea of black and white faces come together 40 years later in front of the same auditorium to pay tribute to the successful integration of the Capstone. Neither heat, nor rain, nor strong winds could stop the grand finale of "Opening Doors," the three-day event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door."
"Forty years ago the academic community at the university and the community of Tuscaloosa came together to transform our university, our state and ultimately our country," UA President Robert Witt said. "I think it's particularly fitting tonight that we conclude the 'Opening Doors' program once again with the university and Tuscaloosa community united together with our state." Harold Bishop, a professor in the College of Education, was master of ceremonies. Bishop reflected on his 25 years at the Capstone and the changes he has witnessed. "I have watched the successes of the university, I have watched the controversies, and I've watched this great university meet the challenge of the times," Bishop said. "This is a great occasion."
The keynote speaker of the night was Vivian Malone Jones, the first African-American student to graduate from UA in 1965 and witness to the events of June 11, 1963, when she and classmate James Hood fought to integrate the university. Jones received a standing ovation as she approached the podium. She stood in the exact spot where Gov. Wallace stood 40 years before. Meanwhile, high winds blew through trees and cool breezes refreshed the crowd. Rolls of thunder began to creep toward Foster Auditorium. Many spectators looked to the sky, hoping the weather would hold out. "I think God is sending me a message not to speak too long tonight," Jones said. During her speech, Jones spoke about that historic day in 1963 and the emotions she felt during that time. "As I look back, I must confess that sometimes I was angered that the governor chose to deny African-Americans the right to enter this university," Jones said. "All of us have a right to worship, to be educated, to achieve the American dream and no one should be denied that because of their race." Jones also spoke about the changes the university has undergone because since the "Stand." "I am so very pleased that the university chose to celebrate the opening of its doors to all citizens," she said. "I am happy to know that you are seeking to provide opportunities for all persons to be educated and not deny opportunities to descendants of persons who were denied access to the university from its founding in 1861 to 1963."
Before she left the podium, Jones left current Alabama Gov. Bob Riley some words of wisdom. "You indeed have an awesome responsibility to stand here, to open doors and not to close them. I trust God that you will continue to accept that challenge and open the doors that lead to opportunities to all Americans," Jones said. Mother Nature interrupted Riley's speech when rain caused the celebration to move into the gym of Foster Auditorium. "From this day on, let's forget if we're black or if we're white and move the state forward together," Riley said as his voice echoed through the auditorium. Following Riley's speech, "Opening Doors" ended with the Pioneers formed in a semicircle. The crowd gave the Pioneers another standing ovation, thanking them once again for their dedication to the university. James Hood, who entered the university with Jones in 1963, looked back on the past three days with a sense of accomplishment. "This is a real tribute to the university and the Tuscaloosa community," Hood said. "We need to understand that the climate can only change when people change." |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
