Library branch named after Dr. Ridgel

Poplar Bluff Municipal Library trustees have named the new Kanell Boulevard branch library in honor of Dr. Gus T. Ridgel, a Poplar Bluff native who made history as the first African-American admitted to the Graduate School at the University of Missouri in 1950.

Renovation work is scheduled to begin immediately on the building at 3398 Kanell Blvd., which will be known as the Gus T. Ridgel Branch Library. The Board of Trustees chose the name in a unanimous vote at a regular meeting on Nov. 2.

Dr. Ridgel had a distinctive career in education and served as a role model for perseverance and work ethic, the library shared in a press release. Throughout his career he served students and the public, ensuring that people could pursue their educational dreams.

Library Trustee Kathern Harris, chair of the board’s naming committee, said, “Dr. Ridgel was keenly aware of activists’ impact on altering oppressive customs and stated in an interview that ‘anything that affects the bottom line is going to get the attention of the leaders.’”

It is noted that his success at the University of Missouri paved the way for all students seeking the advantages of education, officials said.

The library’s minutes show that from 1921 to the 1940s, Poplar Bluff Municipal Library operated a branch library at Wheatley School, according to library director Sue Crites Szostak.

“With the knowledge that Dr. Ridgel graduated with distinction from Wheatley, we can assume that the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library provided resources for his education,” Szostak said. “The library has a long history of serving diverse populations and it has always been a part of the library’s mission to provide reading, information, cultural and intellectual resources. The new branch with its location near many schools is poised in a similar fashion to give students access to resources following the footsteps of Dr. Ridgel.”

“Naming the Kanell Boulevard library branch for Dr. Ridgel was the outstanding idea of Mrs. Szostak,” said John Stanard, president of the Board of Trustees. “I speak for our unanimous board in praising Sue’s idea. We all are proud of the legacy of the library serving the students of Wheatley School as far back as 100 years ago. Dr. Ridgel no doubt took advantage of the books and other materials supplied to Wheatley during his time as a student there. With that background, he went on to earn multiple college degrees and impact thousands of students’ lives over his own distinguished career as a university professor and administrator.”

Naming the facility after Dr. Ridgel pays homage to his educational success. Dr. Ridgel received many honors from his alma mater. The University of Missouri has an honorary degree and a fellowship in his name, plus the atrium at Lucile Bluford Hall is named after Dr. Ridgel. Most recently, he was inducted posthumously into the 2020 Mizzou Hall of Fame. At his induction into the Mizzou Alumni Hall of Fame, the Alumni Association recognized Dr. Ridgel as “a trailblazer and civil rights icon.”

Director Szostak stated that naming the branch library after Dr. Ridgel celebrates another milestone in the library’s success in serving its community.

Gus. T. Ridgel passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. He was born July 1, 1926, to Herford “Gus” and Emma Smith Ridgel in Poplar Bluff. He graduated as class valedictorian from Wheatley High School at age 16. After graduation, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. Shortly after moving to Chicago, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in World War II. Upon discharge, he enrolled at Lincoln University in Jefferson City on the G.I. Bill. In 1950 he graduated Magna Cum Laude in three years. While at Lincoln, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

After graduation, Dr. Ridgel then became a test case with the NAACP as they challenged various universities’ segregation policies. He was admitted to the University of Missouri-Columbia, under court order, to pursue a M.A. degree in economics. Unable to afford the two years of tuition/costs to receive this degree, he completed the two-year program in one year, becoming the first African-American to receive a M.A. in Business (Economics) from that institution. He later received a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1957.

The Dr. Gus T. Ridgel Branch is currently closed for renovation (see main story). When it opens in February, the branch services will include a collection of library materials for checkout, lockers for item pickup, full access to online Missouri Evergreen resources, computers, WiFi, programming space and group study rooms.

Plans for a formal ceremony to name the branch will be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact Sue Crites Szostak, director of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, 573-686-8639, or email library@poplarbluff.org.