by Daniel Johnson
December 1, 2024
The College of South Carolina honored Solomon earlier this yr, in April, the college erected a 12-foot monument in recognition of his position in desegregating USC.
James L. Solomon Jr., the primary Black scholar to enroll within the College of South Carolina’s graduate program in arithmetic, and certainly one of solely three Black college students on the college’s campus in 1963, died on Nov. 29 at 94.
Based on Fox Carolina, Solomon was a professor at South Carolina HBCU Morris School, positioned in Fort Sumter, earlier than he determined to enroll at USC for graduate faculty.
Along with Solomon, Henrie Monthieth Treadwell and Robert Anderson broke South Carolina’s shade line for the primary time since Reconstruction in 1963.
Based on The Island Packet, Solomon earned a bachelor’s diploma from Morris School and a grasp’s diploma from Atlanta College. Whereas he was educating at his alma mater, after Anderson and Treadwell had been admitted, he determined to use to USC’s arithmetic graduate program.
The College of South Carolina honored Solomon earlier this yr, in April, the college erected a 12-foot monument in recognition of his position in desegregating USC.
Upon his loss of life, the college issued an announcement by way of a spokesperson providing their condolences to Solomon’s family and friends in addition to honoring his accomplishments at USC.
“The College of South Carolina household is saddened by the loss of life of James L. Solomon Jr. His legacy of bravery and repair to group is an everlasting inspiration to us all,” a college spokesman mentioned in an announcement. “His position in desegregating the Columbia campus, together with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and Robert G. Anderson, is immortalized on our campus as a testomony to his private braveness and an unwavering dedication to justice. We share our heartfelt condolences to his household, pals, and everybody who was affected by his lifetime of selfless sacrifice.”
Solomon additionally holds the excellence of being the primary Black elected official in Fort Sumter since Reconstruction, which occurred after he was elected to the Sumter District 17 faculty board.
Along with this, Solomon finally turned a dean and the vice chairman of Morris School, one of many leaders of South Carolina’s Fee on Larger Training and the Division of Social Companies, he was additionally concerned with the Colombia City League, United Approach of the Midlands, the American Public Welfare Affiliation, and was elected the Chairman of Richland Faculty District 1’s faculty board, making him the primary Black particular person to occupy that position.
On account of Solomon’s lengthy historical past of public service, he was twice awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the very best civilian honor in South Carolina, bestowed upon him by former South Carolina governors Richard Riley and Carrol Campbell.
South Carolina Senator Tamekia Issac Devine, who represents District 19 in South Carolina, mentioned in an announcement on Twitter/X that Solomon’s legacy would dwell on.
“Sending my love & prayers to the Solomon household on the passing of Mr. James L. Solomon, Jr. who was 1 of three black college students to combine the College of South Carolina since Reconstruction & served this State for years in numerous management roles. He might be missed however his legacy lives on,” Senator Devine wrote.
Hamilton R. Grant, a State Consultant representing South Carolina’s Home District 79, additionally issued an announcement on social media after Solomon’s loss of life.
“I’m saddened to study of the passing of Mr. James L. Solomon, Jr. Mr. Solomon was certainly one of three black college students to be admitted to the College of South Carolina since Reconstruction. My prayers are with The Solomon household throughout this troublesome time. God bless this trailblazer and will he relaxation in peace,” Rep. Grant wrote.
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