The University of Mary Washington dedicated James Farmer Hall yesterday in a ceremony attended by professors, current UMW students, Board of Visitors members and former Farmer students. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi
On what was described as “a beautiful spring day in the middle of fall,” thunder could be heard yesterday during a ceremony dedicating University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Hall.
As Dr. James L. Farmer Jr. was remembered by numerous speakers – professors, current UMW students, members of the UMW Board of Visitors (BOV), and former Farmer students – the gathering of about 100 people on Campus Walk could discern strains of his distinctive booming voice. The BOV voted in July of 2020 to rename the former Trinkle Hall in honor of the late civil rights icon who taught at Mary Washington for a dozen years.
COVID protocol prevented an official observance of the Board action until yesterday afternoon. Members of the community stood on Campus Walk adjacent to the bust of Farmer, which faces the building now bearing his name.
In the brief but moving ceremony, President Troy Paino said Farmer’s legacy is alive and well on campus today. And BOV Rector Heather Crislip ’95 called the occasion “long overdue.” Read more.
President Troy D. Paino, the Rector and Visitors of the University of Mary Washington cordially invite you to the dedication of James Farmer Hall.