One of Hattiesburg’s most well-known leaders, Dr. Eddie Holloway, has given back to the community for decades, and now, Hattiesburg is returning the favor by renaming portions of Pearl Street in his honor.
Holloway was the first African American Dean of Students for The University of Southern Mississippi. As a Hattiesburg native, he was also the first of two African Americans elected for the city council in 1985. This month, the Hattiesburg City Council voted unanimously for portions of Pearl Street, Golden Eagle Avenue (near the backside of the R.C. Cook Library) to North 40th Avenue, to be renamed Dr. Eddie Holloway Drive.
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker stated in his inaugural address that he would bring this notion upon the city council to honor Holloway for his more than 40 years of service, not only to the City Council but to USM.
Hattiesburg City Council Representative for Ward 1 Jeffrey George says the council agreed that this would be an appropriate action.
“I think with Dr. Holloway’s commitment to this city and the impact he’s had on Hattiesburg and USM- it was only fitting to recognize him in such a high honor,” George said. “He was a mentor to countless students including myself when I was a student here, and I have so much respect for how he carries himself and how he represents this city.”
Holloway now serves on the Hattiesburg Public School District Board of Trustees. Throughout his time at USM, he came out of retirement twice: After retiring from his Dean of Students role in 2019, he came out of retirement in 2023 to serve as the Interim Senior Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this role Holloway built a culture of fairness and representation at USM by ensuring everyone- regardless of background- could succeed.
Holloway came out of retirement again to take the position of Senior Associate Provost for Community and Belonging Success. In this position Holloway ensured students felt welcomed at USM with all necessary tools to thrive both academically and personally.
“I think my greatest thrill is to see students develop and experience those new possibilities and new opportunities that perhaps they never envisioned as a result of some tasks that I entice them to participate in,” said Holloway.
Dr. Eddie Holloway Drive will stretch from 40th Avenue to Golden Eagle Avenue on the Southern Miss Campus, and the street will officially be renamed in mid-October with a dedication ceremony shortly after.
Pearl Street was chosen because Holloway represented Ward 2, the east side of Hattiesburg, with the city council and the long-lasting impact on everyone he worked with.
“The goal is for future students to see his name and recognize him for the contributions he’s made,” said George. “Also, I think with the street being next to the Armstrong Branch Plaza, is very appropriate as Ms. Armstrong Branch and Ms. Gwendolyn Armstrong were the first two African American students at USM, so I think it’s appropriate to recognize one of our first African American City Council members in the same area.”
Holloway grew up walking his neighborhood with older adults always asking him about school, what he learned, and if he completed all his tasks.
“I took those questions as motivation to learn all that I could, and I realized the more I learned, the more I could succeed,” Holloway said. “The goal was to aid and assist the same as others had done for me.”
For Hattiesburg, this renaming isn’t just about a street—it’s about honoring a man who has shaped both the city and the university for generations.
