Michelle Obama Praises Princeton U. For Removing Wilson's Name

PRINCETON, NJ — Former first lady Michelle Obama praised her alma mater, Princeton University, for its decision to remove President Woodrow Wilson's name from School of Public and International Affairs and residential college because of his "racist thinking and policies."

"Heartened to see my alma mater make this change, and even prouder of the students who've been advocating for this kind of change on campus for years. Let's keep finding ways to be more inclusive to all students — at Princeton and at every school across the country," Obama tweeted.

Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber announced Saturday it would rename the school to "The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs." The college will be known as "First College," recognizing its status as the first of the residential colleges that play an essential role in the life of Princeton undergraduates, Eisgruber said. Read More: Princeton University Removes Woodrow Wilson's Name From School

Student protesters pushed Princeton to consider removing Wilson's name in 2015 because of his racist views. The Black Justice League, a student activist group, distributed posters, which included Wilson's statement that segregation "is not a humiliation but a benefit, and ought to be so regarded by you gentlemen." Activists also held a 32-hour sit-in at Eisgruber's office.

The board decided to keep his name attached to the school in 2015.

"When you look at the pluses and minuses, we didn't feel that the minuses were enough to eliminate his name," said Brent Henry, chairman of the Wilson Legacy Review Committee, according to The New York Times.

Princeton administration reconsidered the name in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks.

"Wilson's racism was significant and consequential even by the standards of his own time," Eisgruber wrote Saturday. "He segregated the federal civil service after it had been racially integrated for decades, thereby taking America backward in its pursuit of justice. He not only acquiesced in but added to the persistent practice of racism in this country, a practice that continues to do harm today."

Wilson served as the president of Princeton University and then as governor of New Jersey before serving as president of the United States from 1913 to 1921.

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