Corrie Cockrell (left) and twin sister Courtney (right) say the sacrifices of their grandfather, Charles Evers (center), and great-uncle Medgar Evers give special meaning to their UM degrees.Courtesy photo.

OXFORD, Miss. - One was expelled from the university, then returned to become a top administrator. Another blazed a path of firsts for the next generation, including her daughter and civil rights activist Medgar Evers' twin great-nieces.

Their stories reflect struggles and successes, victories and defeats, disappointments and pride. These five people illustrate the road toward racial reconciliation that the University of Mississippi family has been traveling for more than four decades.

Though apprehensive when they enrolled at UM in 2003, twins Courtney and Corrie Cockrell found it diverse and open. Corrie graduated from the School of Law in 2006, more than 50 years after Evers, her great-uncle, was denied entry there because of his race. Courtney, who received a bachelor's degree from UM in 2005, expects to complete her law degree next spring.