This marker is dedicated to Charleyne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes—the first African American students to successfully be admitted to UGA. The site of the Hunter/ Holmes building marks the location where the two students registered for their classes. In 1959, due to their academic merit, Holmes (the valedictorian of the prestigious all- Black Turner High School) and Hunter (his classmate) were chosen by Atlanta members of the NAACP to challenge segregation in Georgia institutes of higher education. The two first began applying to UGA in 1959 but were repeatedly denied admission until 1961, after years of litigation. In a court order by US District Court Judge William Bootle, they were granted admission, ending 160 years of segregation at UGA. On registration day, Holmes and Hunter were met with extreme animosity, race riots and intense violent threats by the students, some faculty, and local Klansmen. Despite the racial intimidation, both students continued their studies. Hunter graduated cum laude in 1963 and pursued work in the medical field. Hunter graduated in the same year and began her career in journalism.