Man denied admission receiving honorary degree

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A man who was denied admission to the University of Kentucky almost 70 years ago because it wouldn’t accept black students and who went on to become a university president is being awarded an honorary doctorate at UK’s commencement Saturday.

The Lexington Herald-Leader (http://bit.ly/1hxNH4b ) says 89-year-old Harrison Wilson and his grandson, 22-year-old Brandon Wilson, will receive degrees together at UK. Brandon Wilson is receiving his master’s in history.

Brandon Wilson talked to some of his professors last year about his grandfather, who coached basketball at Jackson State in Mississippi and eventually became president of Norfolk State University. Leaders in UK’s History Department decided to start the nomination process for Harrison Wilson to receive an honorary degree.

History Department Associate Chairwoman Gretchen Starr-LeBeau says the degree will right a wrong as well as acknowledge Wilson’s accomplishments.

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