By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Oct. 25, 2001
Members of the Human Relations Commission-Lauderdale County Council of Governments will honor the late Meridian High School principal Charles Armstrong today.
Armstrong, who died July 20, was principal at MHS from 1964 until he retired in 1980 and played an important role in racial desegregation of Meridian public schools in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
David Stephens, Human Relations Commission chairman, said the resolution recognizing Armstrong will be presented to Armstrong's family at a noon luncheon at Union Station. A couple of Armstrong's former students will speak to the group, Stephens said.
The resolution speaks of Armstrong's "tremendous contributions" to MHS and the community during the social unrest of 1969.
It celebrates Armstrong for having "distinguished himself as a leader and role model by treating all students and faculty at Meridian High School with respect and dignity regardless of their racial, social or economic circumstances."
And it recognizes him as a "dedicated educator and man of God," who "lived his philosophy that all students be given the opportunity of obtaining a good education."
Armstrong received a physical education degree from Mississippi College, a master's in physical education from the University of Alabama and a specialist's degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
He began working at MHS in 1953 as head coach and athletic director of the boys' physical education department.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.