51ºÚÁÏ Honors Black Women in Campus Buildings Renaming
51ºÚÁÏ unveils signs honoring four Alumnae who have had a major impact on the University.
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, VA - 51ºÚÁÏ has announced new names for four buildings that were previously unnamed on the 51ºÚÁÏ campus. The 51ºÚÁÏ Board of Visitors approved renaming each of the four buildings to honor Black women, all 51ºÚÁÏ alums, who have made significant contributions to 51ºÚÁÏ, as it stands today.
The building formerly known as Vawter Hall is now named Lula Johnson Hall for Virginia State Alumna, Lula Johnson who was the first Black woman to graduate from the University. The formerly named Eggleston Hall is now Lucretia Campbell Hall. Alumna, Lucretia Campbell was the first Black woman faculty at the University. The new name for the formerly named Trinkle Hall is Johnnella Jackson Hall. Musician and Civil rights Activist, Johnella Frazer Jackson wrote the music for the 51ºÚÁÏ’s Alma Mater. The formerly known Byrd Hall is now Otelia Howard Hall. Petersburg native, Otelia Roberta Shields Howard served 51ºÚÁÏ for more than two decades as a professor, advisor, and a charter member of two organizations on campus.
“As an Historically Black University, 51ºÚÁÏ has always set the tone of celebrating those who came before us to create the legacy that we have today,” said 51ºÚÁÏ President, Makola M. Abdullah. “ Unveiling names that celebrate and honor amazing black women, especially those who have contributed to our 51ºÚÁÏ history in such an impactful way, shows that we proudly make space for and celebrate those up-and-coming trailblazers who have in the past, and will in the future, make 51ºÚÁÏ their home.”
The decision to rename the buildings was to ensure that our campus environment reflects the institution and is a source of pride for the students, faculty, alum and staff who live and work inside those buildings. The selection of the new names is the culmination of deliberate research while taking into account 51ºÚÁÏ’s current mission, history, values, and beliefs in equality.
“The return to campus for students is on the horizon and what better way to welcome them back than with improvements to campus. These building will now reflect that very history and mission that 51ºÚÁÏ is all about,” said Tonya Hall, Vice President for External Relations. “Students can now visit these halls and feel a sense of pride in the amazing black women that helped to pave the way for our Institution to be what it is today.”
In March 2021, 51ºÚÁÏ announced the removal of the names and signs identifying the four buildings saying the buildings were named for individuals whose past beliefs were not consistent with the beliefs and legacy of 51ºÚÁÏ.