The University dedicated the plaza outside Paris-Yates Chapel to the late Rev. William Davis Campbell, a former professor who served as Ole Miss’ director of religious life in the 50s and became a leader in the Civil Rights movement in the 60s.
The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation dedicated a plaza Friday outside Paris-Yates Chapel to Campbell as part of its Racial Reconciliation Week.
Outgoing Chancellor Dan Jones’ said the dedication supports his hope to use spaces on campus as informational landmarks. Jones said he believes commemorations such as the Paris-Yates plaza will educate people about the rich and painful history of the University. Jones’ participation as keynote speaker in the dedication was his first official duty on campus since he took leave in June. Jones was welcomed with a standing ovation.
“Will Campbell taught us how to love people who are different from us,” Jones said. “I’m so glad there will be a plaque here that will bear his name. I hope students will pay attention to this and be curious about who Campbell is.”
Campbell was a renowned figure in many significant civil rights issues throughout the 50s and 60s. He escorted the “Little Rock Nine” into Central High School in Little Rock. Campbell was forced to leave his position at the University in 1956 because of backlash resulting from his participation in promoting civil rights.
He later distanced himself from the Baptist church because of refusal of its members to fight segregation.
Jones and other speakers quoted Campbell’s National Book Award winning “Brother to a Dragonfly”: “We’re all bastards, but God loves us anyway.” Jones said this book guided many of his decisions as chancellor.
William Campbell’s son, Webb, said he believes his father would be very proud because of the impact the dedication could have.
“Maybe people will walk by and wonder who he is,” Campbell said. “He was an arrow of justice in the 50s and the 60s. But there’s still a lot of work to be done. There’s still a lot of social activism that remains untapped. Maybe one or two of those folks will come through this plaza. I hope they will carry on the banner because we aren’t finished yet.”
Grant Beebe, a student at the University reflecting on the commemorative plaque, commented on the value of reconciliation as a component of education.
“We should challenge each other to change our beliefs.” Beebe said. “In the next 10, 15, 20 years, what I’ll most powerfully remember is the change that I’ve witnessed at the University and how much that has affirmed to me the value of diversity.”
