The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 4 to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building on UGA’s historic North Campus. The building is named in honor of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first African American students to attend UGA.

“When Charlayne Hunter-Gault and the late Dr. Hamilton Holmes, Sr. arrived at the University of Georgia as undergraduates on January 9th, 1961, they brought their dreams and their determination,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “They faced incredibly challenging circumstances, but fortunately for them — and for us — their determination to succeed carried them through, and they blazed a trail for the many students who would follow them.”

The renovations included restored historic features, improved accessibility, enhanced functionality and a courtyard that pays tribute to the building’s namesakes.

The $30 million project was approved in 2021 by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. It was supported by a $15 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which accelerated the project by several years. The project also received support from Georgia Power Company and Regions Bank.

Hunter-Gault recorded remarks for the event, which were broadcast to attendees assembled for the dedication.

“I can never forget the day Hamilton Homes, aka Hamp, and I walked into the building,” said Hunter-Gault. “Despite the ugly, racist taunts protesting people aimed at us outside, we were focused on what we were doing and what was necessary to realize our dreams. What is so inspiring today is that this institution has leadership that recognizes the importance of keeping both history and hope alive.”

The Holmes-Hunter Academic Building began as two separate structures — the Ivy Building, completed in 1834, and the Library, completed in 1863. In 1905, they were connected and enlarged to create the Academic Building, forming a courtyard that was gradually filled in to bridge the two structures completely during the 1960s and 1970s. The building was renamed in 2001 to mark the 40th anniversary of UGA’s integration.

Today the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building houses the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of Inclusive Excellence as well as the Institute for African American Studies and the African Studies Institute.

“My father was not looking to be a trailblazer or make history. He simply wanted to attend the best university in the state of Georgia that could prepare him for a career as a medical doctor. And in the late 1950s and early 1960s, that school was UGA,” said Hamilton Holmes Jr., son of Hamilton Holmes Sr.

A major component of the renovation was the restoration of the interior courtyard. It now offers a meaningful space that further honors Holmes and Hunter-Gault while offering additional space for events hosted by student organizations and units throughout campus. Included in the courtyard are two steel bench sculptures created by Athens metal artist Harold Rittenberry Jr.

On the north side of the building, where Holmes and Hunter-Gault first enrolled at the university, are two portraits completed by artist Richard Wilson. Additionally, graphic displays throughout the first floor tell the story of Holmes and Hunter-Gault from their admission to UGA through their careers and lasting impact on Georgia and the world.

The building’s interior now blends modern materials with historic wood flooring, fully refinished original wood windows, and the historic cast iron columns. The building is now accessible on all three floors, and its mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have been updated with a focus on efficiency and sustainability. The layout of the building combines historical elements with modern aesthetics and improved functionality. A classroom, part of the original 1834 design, also was restored to the building through the renovation.

“The Holmes-Hunter Academic Building reminds us of the immense courage and determination Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault demonstrated in stepping onto this campus,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Michelle Garfield Cook. “Their legacy lives on not only in their groundbreaking careers but in their unwavering commitment to education and opportunity. As we honor their memory, this building stands as a powerful symbol of our continued dedication to creating spaces where all students can thrive and pursue their dreams.”

After graduating from UGA, Holmes became the first African American student admitted to the Emory University School of Medicine in 1963. He spent his career dedicated to medicine and education. He served as chief of orthopedics at Atlanta’s Veterans Administration hospital, head of orthopedic surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital, and an assistant professor and associate dean at Emory.

Hunter-Gault received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UGA in 1963. She wrote for The New York Times for eight years and then was long associated with PBS’s MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour. After two years as chief correspondent with National Public Radio, she left the position and began working for CNN International in Johannesburg, where she served as bureau chief until 2005. Hunter-Gault has received numerous awards for reporting, including two Emmys and two Peabody Awards.