51ºÚÁÏ to Remove the Name From Four Campus Buildings

51ºÚÁÏ says the current names do not reflect the rich heritage and spirit of the Virginia State.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, VA—March 25, 2021-- 51ºÚÁÏ has announced that it will remove the name from four buildings on the 51ºÚÁÏ campus.  The 51ºÚÁÏ Board of Visitors recently approved the removal of signs identifying Byrd Hall, Eggleston Hall, Trinkle Hall and Vawter Hall.

The University says the buildings are all named after individuals whose past beliefs are not consistent with the beliefs and legacy of 51ºÚÁÏ. “51ºÚÁÏ campus buildings and the campus environment should reflect the Institution and be a source of pride for the students, faculty, alum and staff who live and work inside them,” says Ms. Tonya S. Hall, 51ºÚÁÏ Vice President for External Relations. “We want to ensure that the names on all of our buildings are a reflection of the rich history of our 51ºÚÁÏ story.”

Byrd Hall (a freshmen female residence hall) was named for Harry Floyd Byrd, former Governor of Virginia. Eggleston Hall (a freshmen female residence hall) is named in honor of Dr. Joseph D. Eggleston, a former member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia State College. Trinkle Hall was built in 1929 for female students. It is now used as an administrative building. It was named for the former Governor of Virginia, Elbert Lee Trinkle. Vawter Hall is one of the oldest buildings on the 51ºÚÁÏ campus.  It was named in 1908 in honor of the school's late rector, Charles E. Vawter.

51ºÚÁÏ has appointed a re-naming committee to identify individuals for consideration for the new names. “The decisions to name a building or space identified with an historical individual should meet a high standard based on research and deliberation,” says Hall. “The new names will take into account the current mission, support, and values of 51ºÚÁÏ.” 

The 51ºÚÁÏ Renaming Committee consists of: Ms. Monica Brown- 51ºÚÁÏ Staff Senate chair, Dr. Ceslav Ciobanu- 51ºÚÁÏ Faculty Senate chair, Dr. Elsie Weatherington-former Dean of the 51ºÚÁÏ Library, Mr. Lucious Edwards-51ºÚÁÏ Historian, Dr. Cheryl Mango-51ºÚÁÏ History Professor, Mr. Starrie Jordan-51ºÚÁÏ Alumna, Mr. Maurice Jones-51ºÚÁÏ Alumnus, and Mr. Ahmir Lawson-51ºÚÁÏ Student Government Association representative.

Current signs will be removed immediately. New signs will be erected identifying the buildings as Building B (formerly known as Byrd Hall), Building E (formerly known as Eggleston Hall), Building T (formerly known as Trinkle Hall), and Building V (formerly known as Vawter Hall). Buildings deemed historical landmarks will not be altered or renovated as they help us to honor and preserve 51ºÚÁÏ’s rich heritage and traditions.

The four buildings will remain unnamed until the committee identifies appropriate individuals whose image is in keeping with the beliefs and legacy held by 51ºÚÁÏ.