University of Mississippi (Oxford, Miss.)

Now: A life-sized statue at the college celebrates Meredith’s groundbreaking enrollment. It depicts Meredith strolling onto campus. The statue, unveiled in 2006, is just outside the Lyceum, the first building constructed at the school.

“James Meredith and his family were actually present at the statue dedication, and I was there for part of it,” says Mitchell Diggs, Ole Miss associate director of internal and local media relations. “It was a large crowd and there were several speakers, including Mr. Meredith. He was quite moved by the activities that day. He said it was a very special day for his entire family.”

Photo: James Meredith, foreground, at the unveiling of his statue at Ole Miss in 2006.