Georgetown Renames Buildings Due to Slavery Ties

Georgetown University will rename two of its buildings on campus due to ties to slavery, the university President John J. DeGioia, announced in a letter.

Students staged a sit-in last week, demanding the names of Mulledy Hall and McSherry Hall be renamed. Photo posted to Twitter by @LizTeitz:

Mulledy is a newly reopened dormitory named for a former university president and slaveholder, according to a report by USA Today.

The President’s letter said in part:

“The issue of how to address certain sites on our campus and their ties to slavery has been of particular significance to our community. Friday morning, I met with a group of students who gathered in the President’s Office. The students shared with me their opinions on the importance of changing the name of two buildings.

On Friday afternoon, the Working Group shared with me their recommendation to rename Mulledy Hall and McSherry Hall. I have reviewed the working group’s recommendation with our Board of Directors and I have accepted the recommendation to remove these names.

I have also accepted the Working Group’s recommendation to provide interim names for Mulledy Hall and McSherry Hall - Freedom Hall and Remembrance Hall, respectively - while the working group continues on the work in which they were charged. I invite you to read their full recommendation and statement..”