New Albany in Floyd County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lyda J. Radford
(1900-1981)
From an acorn a big oak has grown.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024
1. Lyda J. Radford Marker
Inscription.
Lyda J. Radford. In 1941, Lyda Radford was likely the first student to enroll at what became Indiana University Southeast. Born in New Albany, she began a 45-year teaching career in the Louisville public schools in 1923 after receiving a two-year diploma from Louisville Colored Normal School. She earned a bachelor's degree by taking classes at Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati (B.S., 1939) due to limited options in Kentucky. Radford undertook post graduate studies at Falls City Area Center in 1941, later taking additional classes at the Jeffersonville Extension Center, forerunners of IU Southeast. Her academic journey has become a benchmark for IU Southeast students pursuing higher education while advancing professionally in the region. In 1949, she wrote to Floyd McMurray, director of the extension center (1941-56), a warm note of appreciation, remembering the educational opportunity he afforded her, and marveling at the center's growth.
In 1941, Lyda Radford was likely the first student to enroll at what
became Indiana University Southeast. Born in New Albany, she began a
45-year teaching career in the Louisville public schools in 1923 after
receiving a two-year diploma from Louisville Colored Normal School.
She earned a bachelor's degree by taking classes at Indiana University
and the University of Cincinnati (B.S., 1939) due to limited options in
Kentucky. Radford undertook post graduate studies at Falls City Area
Center in 1941, later taking additional classes at the Jeffersonville
Extension Center, forerunners of IU Southeast. Her academic journey
has become a benchmark for IU Southeast students pursuing higher
education while advancing professionally in the region. In 1949, she
wrote to Floyd McMurray, director of the extension center (1941-56), a
warm note of appreciation, remembering the educational opportunity he
afforded her, and marveling at the center's growth.
Erected 2019 by Indiana University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 38° 20.756′ N,
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85° 49.182′ W. Marker is in New Albany, Indiana, in Floyd County. It is at the intersection of Alumni Drive and Lakeview Drive, on the right when traveling south on Alumni Drive. Marker is on a boulder in front of the University Center North building on the Indiana University Southeast campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Grant Line Rd, New Albany IN 47150, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Also see . . . Lyda Radford, the first Grenadier. The Horizon website entry:
Historical marker honoring IU Southeasts first student to be erected on campus during 2019-20, IUs bicentennial year (Submitted on July 20, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of Ms. Radford • Can you help?
