University names residence hall for civil rights pioneer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The University of Kentucky is naming a residence hall in honor of the late civil rights pioneer Lyman T. Johnson, who in 1949 was the first African-American to be admitted to the school.

Central I residence hall opened in August 2013. The UK board of trustees approved the renaming of the hall Friday.

Johnson, who died in 1997 at the age of 91, was born in Columbia, Tenn., the grandson of former slaves. He taught at Louisville’s Central High School for 33 years. He fought to equalize teacher salaries as president of the Louisville Association of Teachers in Colored Schools and later helped integrate Jefferson County schools.

Johnson’s federal lawsuit led to UK’s admitting African-Americans to graduate and professional programs beginning in 1949.

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