Mississippi State University dedicates Holmes Plaza and a monument honoring Dr. Richard E. Holmes, the university’s first African American student, during a recent ceremony attended by his family, university leaders, students and members of the MSU community. Formerly known as YMCA Plaza, the space recognizes Holmes’ lasting impact on the university and the communities he served as a physician. Holmes enrolled at MSU on July 19, 1965, and paved the way for generations to follow.