Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court passed down a decision that paved the way for public school desegregation. While the segregation of schools on the basis of race had become unconstitutional on that day in May of 1954, the lessons to be learned from the case are still unfolding today.

Much progress has been made in the institutionalization of equal education for all, no matter the race, gender, religion, or physical and mental ability. But old prejudices die hard, and even 50 years after the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court case, inequities in educational opportunities still exist. Named after the Brown family, among the petitioners in the case, the landmark decision altered forever the way America views public education.

What have we learned in 50 years? What have we yet to learn? Purdue University will explore these questions, celebrating the achievements and analyzing the defeats, in a year-long series of campus events, "Brown at 50: Lessons in Progress."