Expelled in 1956, a black woman gets her doctorate at the University of Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Lucy Foster, the first African-American student to attend the University of Alabama, received an honorary doctorate from the university on Friday, when she gathered a crowd of demonstrators in 1956.

Tuscaloosa News reported that Foster, 89, had graduated at graduation ceremonies. She enrolled at the 100% White University in 1956. She was however expelled three days later after her presence provoked demonstrations and death threats.

Foster received a standing ovation Friday, according to media reports.

Before receiving this honor, she noticed the difference of seeing smiling faces "instead of frowning and being unhappy with my presence here."

"I sat last night and when I thought about it, I was crying, tears were streaming down my eyes because it was so different and so unique for me to be able to go to a university like this. It's a wonderful campus there, "Foster told the newspaper.

His brief inscription took place after a long court battle. She first enrolled at the university in 1952 after graduating from Miles College in English, but her acceptance was canceled as she was not white.

African-American students did not return to campus until in 1963, when Governor George Wallace took a stance in the infamous tribune at the school's door.

Foster earned a masters degree in education from the university in 1991, more than 35 years after his first class. She waited until 1992 to graduate to share this moment with her daughter, who is also a former student of the AU.

The University recognized Foster in 2017 with a historic marker in front of Graves Hall, which houses the College of Higher Education. The university also christened Foster from the Malone Hood Plaza's clock tower.