On Feb. 12, 1944, the Rev. Claude H. Heithaus, S.J., Saint Louis University professor and founder of The University News, gave a sermon that shook the University.

“The followers of Mohammed and Lenin make no distinction of color,” Heithaus said, “but to some followers of Christ, the color of a man’s skin makes all the difference in the world.”

Nearly 65 years ago, Heithaus gave his sermon at the College Church, and the controversy it ignited spread through the whole campus. In a time when blacks faced the humiliation of segregation, before the federally mandated integration of schools by Brown v. Board of Education, his message was ahead of its time. Heithaus focused his message on the poor treatment of blacks and urgency to integrate at SLU.

“In the world of scholarship there is neither white, nor black, brown nor yellow,” Heithaus said.

In the fall of that year, Heithaus’ vision was realized.

“It is important for all students, black and white, to understand the spirit of this integration. It was a bold step,” said Celerstine Briggs Johnson, a 1984 graduate and founder of the Black Alumni Association.

Five African-American students were admitted that semester, making SLU the first university in a former slave state to integrate African Americans.

Mary Bruemmer, a 1942 graduate, was enrolled before integration.

“When I was a student, there were no blacks on campus at all,” Bruemmer said. “At this time, it was not unusual for black people to be refused communion.”

Bruemmer returned to SLU in 1956 to work and witnessed the successes and hardships that the University experienced after more black students and faculty became part of the community.

“Once they were admitted, it was like the dam broke; it gave African Americans … more opportunities,” Bruemmer said.

It was not always an easy transition, however. Occasionally violent protests took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“I could see the riots from my window,” Bruemer said.

The Rev. Bentley Anderson, an associate professor specializing in the history of race and religion, believes that remembering the history of integration at SLU is valuable for the entire University.

“What students don’t realize is Heithaus was kicked out of SLU for desegregation,” Anderson said. “If you stand up for what you believe in, you pay a price”

Heithaus was fired from SLU for reasons irrelevant to his argument, such as “disobedience and disloyalty to the Archbishop.”

Similarly, Tamara Harris, the president of Black Student Alliance, had thoughts on why it is necessary for SLU students to be conscientious of this milestone.

“This is part of SLU’s history,” Harris said. “It gives us a sense of where we come from, and it can inspire us to better people so we can change the world.”

Harris recognized that while SLU has made significant progress in racial diversity over the years, there is still more progress to be made.

“SLU is diverse in the sense of religion, culture and other factors,” Harris said. “But minorities aren’t as embraced as they should be.”

In this year of the election of the nation’s first black President, SLU is experiencing changes within its student government. The Student Government Association recently removed its representatives from the International Student Alliance and BSA in what it said was an effort to remove an unfair advantage of some cultural groups over others.

“The intention was great, they wanted to celebrate diversity,” Harris said. “But I feel like there are so many other ways they could have done it.”

Larry Davis, a senior majoring in political science and a member of BSA, said he experienced diversity firsthand after coming to SLU.

“I came from Hazelwood Central High, the biggest high school in St. Louis, but didn’t really get to see diversity until I got to college,” Davis said.

Davis recognized that SLU is using various techniques for drawing in more students, such as sending out minorities to high schools to represent the University. Even so, he still believes that more should be done to further augment racial diversity.

“It seems like people who need scholarships don’t always get it, and minorities often get overlooked,” Davis said. “Also, a lot of minorities don’t think they have a chance to succeed at SLU because of its reputation.”

For Black History month, BSA has arranged several events to get students more involved and aware about diversity.

“Get out and get involved in cultural events; if we are teaching ourselves, it’s counterproductive,” Harris said. “We don’t want just African Americans to come to these events.”

The mission of the University continues to be carried out through the participation of dedicated students and faculty.

The celebration of Black History month in February is only a reminder of a long and continuing struggle for the University to pursue social justice in an effort to fulfill its Jesuit mission.

“I think the big secret of our success was the willingness to listen and keep with the mission and tradition of the University,” Bruemmer said. “This went from 1944 on; the University is always ready to listen and negotiate.”

Although SLU’s history and racial challenges have endured criticism and praise, Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate cultures and the people, like Heithaus, who fought to attain racial equality.

Harris urged students and faculty to attend the events this month to celebrate racial diversity on campus and become exposed to different perspectives.