James L. Solomon, Jr., died on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the age of 94. Mr. Solomon had an impactful and illustrious civic career at the local and state levels. He holds a special place in the history of the USC Department of Mathematics. He was one of three African-American students to desegregate the University in 1963, at which time he was a Master’s student in the Math Department. In addition to the honors and awards given to Solomon by the University—most notably a statue in front of McKissick Hall—the Department of Mathematics honored him with a plaque on the first floor of LeConte College, installed in Fall 2023. The plaque reads:
In recognition of his enrollment as a graduate student in mathematics at the University of South Carolina, the University pays tribute to Mr. Solomon as one of three African-American students to desegregate the University in 1963.
Mr. Solomon had a distinguished career in South Carolina's state government, and he was an engaged member of many county and city organizations.
For his service to the state of South Carolina, Mr. Solomon was awarded the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in 1980 and again in 1992.
For more information on the life of James L. Solomon, Jr., please see the following articles: