BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) - Western Kentucky University’s president has appointed a panel to examine the names on campus buildings and academic units.
The move was spurred by the recent killings of Black Americans by police and the nationwide racial reckoning that has followed, President Timothy Caboni said during a virtual address Monday, the Daily News reported.
There have already been discussions on whether to rename the Potter College of Arts and Letters and the Ogden College of Science and Engineering. Both are named after people who had slaves, the newspaper reported.
“In many ways, the names we carve into our buildings and attach to our academic units should define for members of our community the best of what we have been, what we are and what we aspire to be,” Caboni said,
“To this end, I have established a task force to conduct a thorough examination of the history of WKU’s namings; explore options for how we might address those that might be problematic; and make recommendations for university leadership to consider,” Caboni said.
He called the effort vital as the university seeks to welcome and support all students, faculty and staff.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.