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University in Lafayette County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
 

Society Of Professional Journalists Historic Site in Journalism

The University of Mississippi

 
 
Society Of Professional Journalists Historic Site in Journalism Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2017
1. Society Of Professional Journalists Historic Site in Journalism Marker
Inscription.
Agence France-Presse journalist Paul Guihard was one of more than 300 journalists who watched the chaos surrounding the admission of James Meredith to the University of Mississippi. He was murdered on campus near the student union around 9 P.M., September 30, 1962. His killer was never identified.

Guihard is the only journalist known to have lost his life covering stories during the Civil Rights Era (1954-1971).

The historic designation memorializes Guihard's sacrifice and pays tribute to the journalists who covered the Meredith crisis. Many were threatened, had their equipment broken and saw their vehicles damaged. However, they did not back away from the story, instead, they used the lessons learned at Ole Miss to continue their coverage in other locations.

The Society of Professional Journalists honors these journalists with this plaque and the designation of the University of Mississippi campus as a historic site in journalism.
 
Erected 2010 by the Society of Professional Journalists.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicCivil RightsEducationNotable Events. In addition, it is included in the Historic Sites in Journalism series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1962.
 
Location.
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34° 22.005′ N, 89° 31.966′ W. Marker is in University, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. It is on Sorority Row north of Grove Loop. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Sorority Row, Oxford MS 38677, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barnard Observatory (within shouting distance of this marker); "Dead House" (within shouting distance of this marker); Documenting the Blues (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Barnard Observatory (within shouting distance of this marker); Lamar Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ventress Hall (about 600 feet away); The Old Chapel (about 600 feet away); Lyceum — The Circle Historic District (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University.
 
Also see . . .  Wikipedia article on the Murder of Paul Guihard. (Submitted on April 18, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
 
Marker located at Farley Hall which houses the "Meek School of Journalism and New Media." image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 8, 2017
2. Marker located at Farley Hall which houses the "Meek School of Journalism and New Media."
Marker is just to right of the large tree.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 393 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
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Jun. 27, 2026