When the Past is Present: Perspectives on Campus Naming and Memorializing University History

Sept. 10, 2021

President Emeritus Edward L. Ayers and Associate Professor of Leadership Studies Julian M. Hayter moderated a panel discussion with scholars to provide valuable insights to the University community as the University continues its memorialization and institutional history work. This virtual public conversation brought together colleagues from other institutions and organizations to discuss the aims of, approaches to, and lessons drawn from memorialization and institutional history work at their institutions.

The conversation was co-sponsored by the University’s Naming Principles Commission and the Burial Ground Memorialization Committee.

The panelists were asked to share some brief contextual information about their work in advance of the program. This information can be found here.

Guest Panelists

Brandon Inabinet, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communication Studies
Chair, Task Force on Slavery and Justice
Furman University

Jajuan Johnson, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Lemon Project
William & Mary

Justin G. Reid
State Director of Community Initiatives, Virginia Humanities
Manager, General Assembly African American Cultural Resources Task Force

Lynn Rainville, Ph.D.
Director of Institutional History and Museums
Professor of Anthropology
Washington & Lee University

Jalane Schmidt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
University of Virginia