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GREENSBORO — Guilford College commemorated 50 years of integration. The school held a ceremony Tuesday to celebrate the positive campus-wide steps in race relations.

James McCorkle, the college's first African-American student, said the steps towards a desegregated school were not always easy.

"There were people that were accepting, that is to say they would smile and so forth and speak. And then there were those who didn't see you, you were invisible. They would walk by you and their heads hung down,” said McCorkle.

Decades later, the university celebrates having a more diverse campus.

"There's a lot more African Americans involved in things on campus. Whereas 50 years ago, it was hard because we didn't have that representation. Now students can be more active and you see them a lot more on campus," said student Alvita Mayo.

McCorkle said he is happy to be able to see the school's transformation first-hand. However he said the pursuit for equality is not over.

"What was started back then has not been finished. There are still some people who don't agree with the idea of diversity," said McCorkle.

The school will have events throughout the year to honor those involved in helping the university have a more inclusive student body.