March 28, 2024

Freedom Riders to Deliver Commencement Addresses

U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will deliver the address at the University of Mary Washington’s 2011 undergraduate commencement ceremony to be held Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m. on Ball Circle. The university’s graduate commencement will be held Friday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium with U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) as guest speaker.

Both Filner and Lewis were among the 1961 Freedom Riders who successfully challenged segregated interstate bus transportation in the South. The commencement addresses will conclude the university’s semester-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides led by the late civil rights activist James Farmer.

About Brynn Boyer

Brynn Boyer is assistant director of media and public relations and a 2010 graduate of UMW.