Dorms at Towson University will be named after the university’s first two black graduates

The first two African-American students to graduate from Towson University will be honored for their pioneering efforts. At the Maryland institution, Marvis Barnes and Myra Harris will each have a residence hall named after them.

In 1959, Marvis Barnes and Myra Harris graduated from what was then known as State Teachers College with bachelor’s degrees. On Friday, the university’s Board of Regents voted to name residence halls after the alumnae.

The announcement came only days before the university in Baltimore County declared Juneteenth a day of reflection on Monday.

According to the institution, the two Black women integrated the college three months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. They both worked as teachers before moving into school administration.

Featured Picture Credit: WTOP