Albany State University is honoring students who were permanently expelled from the school in the early 1960s because of their participation in the civil rights movement.

The university will issue a formal apology and present honorary degrees to the students as part of a yearlong celebration.

ASU assistant professor and civil rights fellow Dr. Racquel Henry is leading the effort. Dr. Henry has already tracked down 15 of the 41 known students who were punished.

“Many of them are pleased that the university is willing to look back at its legacy in the 20th century and write a new chapter in the 21st century by apologizing," Dr. Henry says.

The ASU professor says she wants to hear both sides of the story. Dr. Henry is encouraging past ASU students to come forward and share their oral histories and artifacts.

Tags: Georgia, education, students, Albany, Civil Rights, Albany State University, protests, Dr. Racquel Henry, expelled