Latest news with #OrangeburgMassacre
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
A septuagenarian college graduate pays tribute
A few years ago, Linwood Riddick, of Summerville, S.C., recently learned of the 1968 "Orangeburg Massacre" protest at South Carolina State University, during which three Black students were killed. The Vietnam War veteran and retired shop owner felt compelled to honor their sacrifice by graduating from the HBCU – at the age of 79. Steve Hartman reports.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Retired shop owner earns degree to honor victims of the Orangeburg Massacre
Orangeburg, South Carolina — New York native Linwood Riddick could have spent his golden years in Summerville, South Carolina, tickling the ivories or whatever else tickled his fancy. But instead, the 79-year-old retired shop owner has spent the last six years poring over textbooks and dragging himself to class at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, relentless in his pursuit of a college education. "I just stepped on the accelerator and didn't stop," Riddick told CBS News. "…I was determined to complete what I started." To understand why it mattered so, we need to go back to 1968, when protests against segregation were erupting across the country. One of the deadliest protests occurred at South Carolina State University, where three unarmed Black students were shot and killed by police in what became known as the Orangeburg Massacre. The three killed were Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond Jr. and Delano Middleton. Smith and Hammond were students at SCSU, and Middleton was a high school senior whose mother worked at the university. More than two dozen protesters were also wounded. Nine South Carolina Highway patrolmen, all White, were indicted on federal charges in the shooting, but were all acquitted. Linwood Riddick had never heard of the Orangeburg Massacre until a few years ago when he stumbled on a campus memorial. He says he knew right then what he had to do. "I said, you know, I'm coming here…because I want to put my contributions to their sacrifice,' Riddick said. "And when I get my degree, it's going to be in their name." "In his mind, he was completing their mission," SCSU President Alexander Conyers told CBS News of Riddick. "...He started here in 2019 with zero credits, you know, driving from Summerville every day, which is almost an hour to class and back home." That patience and persistence earned him a bachelor's degree in music industry. And earlier this month, he walked across the stage to a standing ovation. But the more important walk was yet to come, one done alone and without any pomp or circumstance to the Orangeburg Massacre memorial. With that, Riddick's mission was complete. And although it started as a symbolic gesture, Conyers says it'll have a very real impact. "Mr. Riddick has brought this back to the forefront for this university, for this community, for this state — to remind us of our solemn duty to never forget." Here's how much Qatar's plane gifted to Trump administration will cost to retrofit Biggest takeaways from RFK Jr.'s MAHA report What is Trump's message to the European Union amid new tariff threats
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Why a retired 79-year-old shop owner earned a college degree to honor the victims of the 1968 Orangeburg Massacre
Orangeburg, South Carolina — New York native Linwood Riddick could have spent his golden years in Summerville, South Carolina, tickling the ivories or whatever else tickled his fancy. But instead, the 79-year-old retired shop owner has spent the last six years poring over textbooks and dragging himself to class at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, relentless in his pursuit of a college education. "I just stepped on the accelerator and didn't stop," Riddick told CBS News. "…I was determined to complete what I started." To understand why it mattered so, we need to go back to 1968, when protests against segregation were erupting across the country. One of the deadliest protests occurred at South Carolina State University, where three unarmed Black students were shot and killed by police in what became known as the Orangeburg Massacre. The three killed were Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond Jr. and Delano Middleton. Smith and Hammond were students at SCSU, and Middleton was a high school senior whose mother worked at the university. More than two dozen protesters were also wounded. Nine South Carolina Highway patrolmen, all White, were indicted on federal charges in the shooting, but were all acquitted. Linwood Riddick had never heard of the Orangeburg Massacre until a few years ago when he stumbled on a campus memorial. He says he knew right then what he had to do. "I said, you know, I'm coming here…because I want to put my contributions to their sacrifice,' Riddick said. "And when I get my degree, it's going to be in their name." "In his mind, he was completing their mission," SCSU President Alexander Conyers told CBS News of Riddick. "...He started here in 2019 with zero credits, you know, driving from Summerville every day, which is almost an hour to class and back home." That patience and persistence earned him a bachelor's degree in music industry. And earlier this month, he walked across the stage to a standing ovation. But the more important walk was yet to come, one done alone and without any pomp or circumstance to the Orangeburg Massacre memorial. With that, Riddick's mission was complete. And although it started as a symbolic gesture, Conyers says it'll have a very real impact. "Mr. Riddick has brought this back to the forefront for this university, for this community, for this state — to remind us of our solemn duty to never forget."
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
HBCU awards degree to 80 year old Vietnam veteran
Linwood Riddick didn't enroll at South Carolina State University, an Orangeburg, South Carolina, HBCU, in pursuit of a career. Instead, he came seeking clarity, a renewed sense of purpose, and a way to honor a legacy that deeply moved him. This month, the Vietnam War veteran and longtime member of the SC State Concert Choir received his bachelor's degree in music industry-just weeks before his 80th birthday in July. His journey to that diploma was far from traditional, but it was firmly grounded in personal conviction. "I was walking through campus one day and overheard some men discussing the Orangeburg Massacre," Riddick recalled, referring to the tragic 1968 police shooting that claimed the lives of three unarmed Black students at SC State. "I thought to myself, 'I need to come here, leave my mark on this institution in honor of those young men.'" Now, with his academic journey complete, Riddick hopes his story will inspire others. "People will see me and hopefully understand the purpose behind my being here," he said. A Moment of Recognition SC State President Alexander Conyers made a special pause during Friday's commencement ceremony to honor Riddick as he stepped down from the choir risers. "Mr. Riddick, at 80 years old, has been fully immersed in the student experience-singing in the choir, performing at events," Conyers said. "You inspire us all." Later in the ceremony, Conyers personally handed Riddick his diploma, and the arena erupted in applause from his fellow graduates and the audience. From Service to Song Born in New York and raised in Virginia, Riddick began his college journey at Norfolk State University before being drafted into the U.S. Navy and serving in Vietnam. After returning home, he built a successful business selling souvenirs and various goods for over 30 years. "I did my time in the military, came back, got some help from the VA, and started my own business," he said. "I ran that business until I retired at 72." Instead of settling into retirement, Riddick began commuting from his home in Summerville, South Carolina, to Orangeburg for classes. "I wanted to keep my mind and body active," he said. "The brain is like a spiritual muscle-it needs to be used. Mind, body, soul, and spirit-all must be engaged." An HBCU Voice and a Mentor At SC State, Riddick became a familiar face in the Concert Choir, performing at commencements and special occasions. But his impact extended far beyond the stage. His presence brought inspiration and wisdom to a younger generation of students. Riddick hopes to continue supporting his HBCU. He plans on working with faculty and students to build stronger intergenerational connections and spark greater student engagement. "We need to bridge the gap," he said. "Sometimes, one must teach one. With all I've been through, I want to mentor these students. Hopefully, the faculty and I can foster more connection. We need innovation." A Message of Hope Riddick's advice to others, particularly seniors, is simple but powerful: "If I can do it, you can do it. Nothing's impossible if you try." As for the future? He jokes, "The only thing left for me now is to get computerized-but I've got everything else covered." The post HBCU awards degree to 80 year old Vietnam veteran appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Chicago Tribune
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: D.W. Griffith's ‘The Birth of a Nation' premieres
Today is Saturday, Feb. 8, the 39th day of 2025. There are 326 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 8, 1915, D.W. Griffith's controversial epic film 'The Birth of a Nation' premiered in Los Angeles. Also on this date: In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. In 1693, a charter was granted for the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in the Virginia Colony. In 1904, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Russian Navy at Port Arthur (now Dalian, China), marking the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by William D. Boyce. In 1924, the first execution by gas in the United States took place at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City as Gee Jon, a Chinese immigrant convicted of murder, was put to death. In 1936, the first NFL draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. In 1960, work began on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles. In 1968, three Black students were killed and 28 wounded as state troopers opened fire on student demonstrators on the campus of South Carolina State College in Orangeburg in the wake of protests over a whites-only bowling alley. The event would become known as the Orangeburg Massacre. In 1971, NASDAQ, the world's first electronic stock exchange, held its first trading day. Today's birthdays: Composer-conductor John Williams is 93. Broadcast journalist Ted Koppel is 85. Actor Nick Nolte is 84. Comedian Robert Klein is 83. Actor-rock musician Creed Bratton is 82. Actor Mary Steenburgen is 72. Author John Grisham is 70. Hockey Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli is 65. Rock singer Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe) is 64. Basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning is 55. Actor Seth Green is 51. Actor William Jackson Harper is 45. Actor-comedian Cecily Strong is 41. Hip-hop artist Anderson .Paak is 39. Professional surfer Bethany Hamilton is 35.
