This website uses cookies. Learn more via our web privacy policy. For questions, please email dataprivacy@columbusstate.edu.
Black Alumni Council marks 60th anniversary of Columbus State’s first African American student - Columbus State University Skip to Main Content

Black Alumni Council marks 60th anniversary of Columbus State’s first African American student

April 4, 2023

John Townsend memorial paver

In a ceremony on March 29, CSU’s Black Alumni Council and its Office of Alumni Engagement honored the memory of Dr. John W. Townsend Jr. ’65 with a special sidewalk paver among others honoring graduates of Columbus State University. Townsend was the first African American student to enter and later graduate from what is then-Columbus College.

Townsend graduated from nearby Spencer High School in 1963 and, as other universities across the South grappled with desegregation publicly—and sometimes violently—he enrolled that fall in then-Columbus College with the support of its then-president, Dr. Thomas Y. Whitley. While his student years weren’t completely without incident, he found opportunities to serve the college and its student body through the Student Government Association and its college literary magazine, “Spectrum.”

Dr. Bob Wright, a Columbus civic leader and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., lauded Townsend’s perseverance in the early days of desegregation as Townsend pursued his education at Columbus College.

“He had a great mind, and John had a great strength, so that strength would get him through whatever difficulties he might run into,” Wright recalled. “Not only did he finish [at Columbus College], but he went on to get his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. That just goes to show how determined John was not to just stop here, to stop with his bachelor’s, but to go on and continue to excel.”

Townsend summed up his Columbus College experience in a November 1965 article published in the college’s student newspaper by saying, “I am glad I have had the chance to attend Columbus College; I take pride in knowing that other [African Americans] may follow me now and the education that they received will help them, as it helped me.”

Johnson family, including Demarco Johnson (back row, far right)
In representing the Townsend family, Demarco Johnson (pictured above, back row, far right) spoke fondly of his Uncle John and his role of being first at Columbus College.

“When you’re presented with the opportunity to be first, sometimes we have no choice because that’s who God chose us to be—that person," he said. "So while you’re out here thinking about my Uncle John and all that’s changed since 1963, know that at any day you could be that person.”

In the five years that followed Townsend’s graduation in 1965, Columbus College welcomed a Black Student Union organization, discontinued the playing of “Dixie” at sporting events, changed its mascot from the Rebel to the Cougar after a vote of the student body, and incorporated more events and campus programming specifically for its African American students.

“John Townsend was not just a trailblazer for his time, but a symbol of hope and progress for future generations,” Student Government Association President Jordan Allen noted. “His courage and determination continue to inspire others at CSU like me to become involved in leadership positions on campus. He showed through his commitment to service that diversity in leadership leads to a more inclusive and vibrant university community.”

John Townsend headshotTownsend (pictured) earned an associate of arts degree in liberal arts in June 1965 and went on to the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master of education in adult education, an educational specialist degree in adult and continuing education, and a doctorate in educational psychology. He additionally earned the 7th Year Life Certificate in School Leadership (K-12) and the 7th Year Life Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education.

He devoted 38 years to teaching and educational leadership and retired from the Clark County School District in Athens, Georgia. After his retirement, he served as an adjunct teacher in the Adult Literacy Program (GED) at Athens Technical College and authored “Extraordinary Courage: My Life on the Columbus College Campus (1963-65).” He also authored a narrative and pictorial book recounting the history of Athens’ historic Hill First Baptist Church.

In 2020, Dr. Kimberly Scott ’01,’02 was instrumental in connecting Townsend with the newly formed Black Alumni Council. Through her leadership, she helped the Black Alumni Council launch a new “Dare to Dialogue: Courageous Conversations” series. With his book and his experiences as CSU’s first African American graduate as the backdrop of that inaugural discussion, the series continues to bring CSU students and alumni together to topics of interest to the Black community.

Over the years, Columbus State has paid tribute to Townsend's pioneering spirit and legacy through a variety of scholarships and awards presented by its Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. chapter.

Today, Townsend’s name is associated with CSU’s top male and female African American GPA-earners through the Legacy Awards honor that bears his name. The award is presented as part of a suite of awards bestowed annually by Diversity Programs & Services as part of the university’s annual Diversity Forum.

Townsend died in February 2021 at the age of 77. As a tribute, the CSU Student Government Association and the Theta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. joined together in April 2021 to issue a proclamation honoring Townsend’s life and legacy.

He and his wife, Mattie Lois Townsend, who preceded him in death, had seven children, 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Townsend's paver is among other purchased by graduating seniors to commemorate their time at Columbus State through a charitable gift to the CSU Alumni Association upon graduation. The paver walkway is located on the Main Campus in front of the Schuster Student Success Center.


Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu