One of First African American UA Law Students Passes Away
One of the first six African American students who entered the UA School of Law died Nov. 20 in Little Rock.
Christopher C. Mercer, who is originally from Pine Bluff, attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1946. In 1949, he entered the UA School of Law, according the encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.
“This is a profound loss for the law school community and the legal profession,” said Stacy Leeds, dean of the School of Law in a news release. “Mr. Mercer set the perfect example of a lawyer as community leader and public servant. His life is marked by hard work and immeasurable sacrifices, yet he never sought anything in return — he simply gave.”
The six students were part of the law school’s integration that were given the name “Six Pioneers.” After his time at the UA, he taught biology, chemistry and math classes at Carver High School in Marked Tree, according to a news release.
He also worked to help integrate Little Rock Central High School by transporting Daisy Bates, one of the “Little Rock Nine” to and from school for her semester, according to a new release.
“Jane and I are saddened by the news of C.C. Mercer’s death,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart in a news release. “We had known him for many, many years and always had the utmost respect for him. He was an outstanding leader and advocate, a great Arkansan and a much loved member of the Razorback community. He will long be remembered and celebrated as one of our most influential alumni. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and salute C.C. for his life of service to others.”
http://www.uatrav.com/2012/11/26/one-of-first-african-american-ua-law-students-passes-away/
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