Nationwide — Dr. Richard E. Holmes, who was the first African American student at Mississippi State University, has died at 82. The Starkville native made history by breaking a racial barrier at the university in 1965. He later built a career in medicine before returning to the university to care for its students.
Holmes enrolled at Mississippi State on July 19, 1965, becoming the first Black student in the university’s history. His arrival came during a period when racial segregation and resistance to integration remained widespread across Mississippi. He continued his studies at the university, earning a liberal arts degree in 1969 and a master’s degree in microbiology in 1973, according to WLBT. His academic achievements laid the foundation for a career that would keep him connected to the institution for decades.
After completing his studies at Mississippi State, Holmes pursued a medical degree at Michigan State University, graduating in 1977. He later worked as an emergency room physician in Birmingham, Alabama, gaining experience in patient care before returning to his home state. In 2003, he joined Mississippi State’s Longest Student Health Center as a staff physician. The position brought him back to the campus where he had broken a racial barrier nearly four decades earlier.
The university also honored Holmes for his contributions to education and his place in its history. In 1991, Mississippi State named its cultural diversity center after him, recognizing his achievements and connection to the school’s efforts to promote inclusion. He and his wife, Judie, also established a minority scholarship fund in his name to support students from underrepresented backgrounds. Through the center and scholarship fund, his name became connected to efforts to improve educational opportunities for future generations.
Mississippi State recognized his achievements again in 2006 by naming him its National Alumnus of the Year. Holmes was the first Black recipient of the honor, adding another milestone to his long relationship with the university. From his enrollment as its first African American student to his later work as a campus physician, he held several roles that connected his personal achievements with the institution’s development.
University President Mark E. Keenum confirmed Holmes’ death and reflected on the impact he had made on the school. Keenum described him as a man of courage, vision and patience, noting that his influence extended well beyond his years as a student. He also recalled Holmes’ service as a physician and said he would miss his friendship and advice. Holmes died on October 16, leaving behind a legacy that includes his historic enrollment, his work in medicine and his efforts to support minority students at Mississippi State.