In July of 1965, Richard Holmes walked onto Mississippi State University campus and into MSU history as the university’s first black student. Now, over 37 years later, he has returned to his alma mater to serve as a physician in the John C. Longest Student Center.
After working as an emergency physician for 22 years in Birmingham, Ala., Holmes said he decided it was time for a change.
“I see it as the start of my second career,” Holmes said. “I wanted to move into clinical medicine, and I wanted to get back into academia. Working with students keeps me young and sharp,” he said with a chuckle.
Holmes said his desire to return to Starkville also played a part in his decision to fill the vacancy left open by Dr. Mike McIntyre, who left the center last semester, and the retirement of Dr. Laurin Watras.
“I was raised in Starkville, and I love Mississippi State,” Holmes said. “This is a place that I love, and I wanted to give back to the university in some small way.”
Holmes has kept close ties with MSU over the years. He has given both his name and support to the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center and a minority scholarship endowed by Holmes and his wife, Judy.
In a university press release, interim Vice President of Student Affairs Jimmy Abraham said he was very pleased to have Holmes back at MSU.
“We are especially happy to have Dr. Holmes … not only because of who he is and what he means to MSU, but also because his services are especially needed at this time,” Abraham said. “We know how much Dr. Holmes cares for this university; now he will be caring for it in another very important way.”
Holmes said although many of the things he sees at the health center are similar to the cases he dealt with in emergency medicine, he is relieved not to have the stress of dealing with severe trauma.
“I don’t see the trauma,” Holmes said. “The gunshot wounds, the vehicle accidents-I was always keyed up waiting for a trauma case to come in. Even if you only saw one or two a day, you had to be constantly ready for it. You had to stay mentally prepared. That high state of readiness is stressful. This field is more conducive to learning medicine, and it is also conducive to a longer life.”
Dr. Robert Collins, the director of the health center, said that Holmes’ skills will be a valuable asset to the center and the university.
“Mississippi State means a lot to Dr. Holmes,” Collins said. “In his new role, he will come to mean even more to Mississippi State.”
Holmes said that, looking back, a lot has changed at MSU since his days as a student.
“The biggest difference is the population,” he said. “The student population as a whole is bigger, and the number of African-Americans and other minorities is higher as well.”
Holmes said racial relations also seemed to have improved on campus, although he quickly pointed out that racial relations were not as bad as one might think when he first came to MSU in 1965.
“As a whole, people were very supportive and accepting,” he said. “Some people might yell insults from across campus, but no one would slam a door in my face. It was almost like an unwritten rule. Some people might yell things at me from a distance, but no one would insult me to my face or spit on me or kick me. Most of the students treated me with respect, and that was something I appreciated.”
But Holmes said he is proud to see that some things at MSU have not changed.
“One thing that has stayed the same is the faculty’s willingness to reach out to students to help them and care for them,” Holmes said. “The faculty and staff did everything they could to help me when I was here, and I still see that today.”
Holmes gave several recommendations for students to avoid illness during the school year, saying the old remedies still work best.
“Students should try to get seven or eight hours of sleep per night, try to exercise, avoid tobacco products and get a well-rounded diet,” Holmes said. “Also, if you do get sick, seek medical attention. Don’t wait until you end up with pneumonia or a fever. Also, taking a multi-vitamin is a good idea.
“Of course, if you asked me, if I did all that when I was a student 20 or 30 years ago, well … advice is always easier to give than to take, isn’t it?” he asked with a grin.
Holmes and his wife reside in Columbus, but they are discussing plans to eventually move closer to campus.