Man receives diploma denied in 1959

GALESBURG, Ill. (WLS) -- A man denied his high school diploma in 1959 received it Friday night during his class reunion at Galesburg High School.

Alva Earley says it all began when he attended an event at a park that was off limits to African Americans at the time.

The school district wouldn't let him graduate, prompting two colleges to withdraw their acceptance letters.

"I was told, 'Don't go get suited up for a cap and gown, cause you're not graduating,' That was maybe a week before graduation," Earley said.

Earley went on to earn his law degree and a doctorate from Northwestern University.