The University of Washington and Lee, located in Lexington, Virginia, has been in the news recently for its controversial name and association with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The University was founded in 1749 as Augusta Academy and later became Liberty Hall Academy before being renamed Washington College in 1813. In 1865, following the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was offered the position of president at the college and stayed in the role until his death in 1870.Although Lee is no longer involved with the University, his name and legacy remain a significant part of its history. The Lee Chapel, which houses his body, is located on the campus and features portraits of the general throughout. For many years, the Annual Lee-Jackson Day Parade ended at the chapel, which was part of Virginia's state holiday honoring Lee and his Confederate partner Stonewall Jackson.
In recent years, the University has been making efforts to distance itself from its Confederate past. Confederate flags have been removed, visits from Confederate groups have been canceled, and the way the University talks about its history has been changed. In 2017, the University hired its first Provost Associate for Diversity and Inclusion, a position that underscores its commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all students.
Despite these changes, the University's name remains a point of controversy. In 2017, a group of students, faculty, and alumni started a petition calling for the University to drop Lee's name from its title. The petition argued that the name perpetuates a legacy of racism and white supremacy and that the University should instead focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.
The debate over the University's name is not unique. Many other colleges and universities across the United States are grappling with similar issues. Some have changed their names, while others have chosen to keep them but have added new programs or initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.
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Ultimately, the decision of whether to change the University of Washington and Lee's name will be up to its Board of Trustees. In the meantime, the University is taking steps to promote diversity and inclusion and create a welcoming environment for all students. As society continues to grapple with issues of racism and inequality, it is essential that institutions of higher learning lead the way in creating a more just and equitable world.
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