UT Law continues tradition honoring its first Black graduate, reflects on his impact
AUSTIN (KXAN)— Virgil C. Lott will be honored by University of Texas at Austin Law School with a medal presentation and dinner on Wednesday.
The event will be held at 5:30 p.m., celebrating Lott’s accomplishments and impact, as the first Black student to graduate from UT Law in 1953, while also honoring others alike.
The Virgil C. Lott Medal of Honor—established in 2011—will be presented to a winner selected by a committee made up of the law school dean and previous winners. Recipients are chosen based on individuals who honor Lott’s characteristics, UT Law said.
“The Law School commissioned the Virgil C. Lott Medal to honor the memory of this pioneer and distinguished alumnus, honoring men and women who, like Mr. Lott, have made significant contributions to the legal profession and to the improvement of understanding among all peoples,” UT Law’s website says.
After Lott’s historic graduation, he went on to become the first Black judge to sit on a bench of a court in Austin, according to UT Law’s website.
“Born in Austin, Texas, he graduated from Anderson High School and earned his undergraduate degree in business administration from Samuel Huston College (now Huston-Tillotson University) in 1949,” UT Law’s website says. “Mr. Lott served with valor in the United States Army during World War II in England, France, and Belgium.”
According to UT Law’s website, Lott is widely known for his civic leadership. UT Law said he founded the Capital City Lions Club and also was the attorney for David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and an advisor to St. Joseph Grand Masonic Lodge.
According to UT Law, Lott dedicated his work to make affordable housing to low-and moderate-income families more accessible.
This story will be updated by reporter Jala Washington.
