Harold Calloway: From USI’s first Black administrator to Board of Trustee member

BY TEGAN RUHL Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Several of USI’s Board of Trustees members have served for many years, succeeding in many leadership qualities. In particular, Harold Calloway has had a lasting influence on the university’s history.

Born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Calloway lived on a farm.

“If you worked hard during the spring and summer, you would expect the harvest,” Calloway said. “That’s kind of my philosophy. Work hard, and you would get whatever opportunities come your way.”

After high school, he went to study at Mary Holmes College on a basketball scholarship during the height of the civil rights movement. On June 21, 1964, three civil rights workers were killed by the Klu Klux Klan.

“We thought it was time for a change,” Calloway said. “We marched in the civil rights movement, got arrested because we were marching. We’re all marching for the rights of individuals in the little town where I was going to school. But growing up in a segregated environment, you learn to deal with all kinds of people.”

Before working at USI, Calloway served in Vietnam, got his master’s degree and worked as a caseworker and in welfare. He began his career as the director of financial aid at USI in 1973, making Calloway the first Black administator in the university’s history.

“When I came to work there, I could tell everybody embraced me,” Calloway said. “I grew up in the South on a farm. I know that hard work and persistence pays off. So that’s what I did and was able to do the job, and I think I did the job well. I never had one problem with any student.”

Calloway worked at USI until 1985 when he accepted a business job at State Farm Insurance. He worked there for 34 years until he retired in 2019.

In a 2020 interview, Calloway said, “There was some concern an African American couldn’t sell to white people.”

Although he said he was afraid he made a mistake switching careers, he was surprised by the positive reaction he received from the majority of his clients.

“Fear is false evidence appearing to be real,” Calloway said. “There were classes of people that did not give me an appointment because of who I am, but there were a whole lot more that did, and I was pleasantly surprised.”

Calloway said people want the same things, regardless of their race.

“They want safety. They want opportunities to participate, and they want opportunities for their children. Those are not just Black dreams, those are everybody’s dreams,” he said.

Calloway said he always had a desire to come back and serve at USI.

“When I left USI, I asked the Lord, ‘One of these days, I would like to come back and be on the Board of Trustees,’” Calloway said.

Calloway was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2006.

“It’s been an absolute joy,” Calloway said. “We’ve made some astounding accomplishments.”

Since his appointment, Calloway has watched USI improve as an academic institution, in the quality of students produced, in community relations and in Division I sports since the transition.

Calloway said he hopes to see all students on campus thrive but noted the important influence he has on

Black students specifically.

“Black people, they like seeing people like them in positions of responsibility,” Calloway said.

“My communication to them has always been, ‘The harder you work, the luckier you get,’” Calloway said. “I want them to represent USI well academically and professionally. They see people like Dr. Rochon and others that have been successful, and they know they can do it too.”

Calloway’s influence will continue to inspire students of all colors and make a lasting impact on USI’s history.