Georgetown University renames buildings for enslaved people

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2016, file photo, students walk past a Jesuit statue in front of Freedom Hall, center, formerly named Mulledy Hall, on the Georgetown University campus, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Washington. Freedom Hall was renamed Isaac Hawkins Hall on April 19, 2017, in honor of the first person listed in documents related to an 1838 sale of slaves in order to pay off the school's debts. The school and the group of Catholic priests that founded it apologized for the sale. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

April 19, 2017 - 3:12 AM

WASHINGTON - Georgetown University and the group of Catholic priests that founded the Washington, D.C. school have apologized for selling slaves in 1838 in order to raise money to pay off the college's debts.

The school has renamed two buildings in honour of two of the 272 people sold. Their descendants gathered on the Georgetown campus for a dedication ceremony Tuesday.

One building is named Isaac Hawkins Hall in honour of the first person listed in documents related to the sale. Another bears the name of Anne Marie Becraft, a free woman of colour who taught Catholic black girls in Georgetown.

Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States president Rev. Timothy Kesicki said during a prayer service that the group has "greatly sinned" and is "profoundly sorry."

Georgetown is also offering a preference in admissions to descendants of those sold.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017

The Associated Press

More News ...

THOMPSON: Department of War name change comes with hefty bill for American taxpayers
OPINION Last month, President Donald Trump decided he liked the sound of Department of War a lot more than Department of Defense. It was - like so many Trump impulses - a move that did little to change reality other t

Why some bars and most breweries close early in downtown Kelowna
It’s 10:30 p.m. and the night feels young inside one of Kelowna’s charming breweries, but your hope of painting the town red is dashed by last call. That’s a pretty common experience for folks who aren’t familiar wit

Why Okanagan cannabis shops aren't dominating the black market
Law abiding cannabis companies in the Okanagan deal with the government taking its piece of the pie at every turn, while trying to compete with a black market that's still going strong. Cannabis in B.C. gets taxed at several points betw

The story behind the Shuswap's familiar and historic Trickle Inn
A large, charming white house with green trim has been a familiar site for people travelling through the Shuswap for decades. Perched on side of the Trans-Canada Highway in Tappen, the house was a family home for the Carlin family for sever

Popular kamloops News

Leaky septic and $20K debt: Vernon trailer park owner at a loss for what to do
Carol Goldstone is hoping a judge will make a reasonable decision about what to do with the Vernon trailer park she inherited in 1988. A couple of days ago she was served with a court summon
February 21, 2023 7:00 AM
Chilliwack woman needs help finding injured dog lost near Kamloops
A lost dog has been spotted injured in the woods near Kamloops, but his Chilliwack owner can't find anyone to go get him. Yesterday morning, Lisa Marucio stopped to let her dogs ou
June 08, 2020 11:06 AM
Map of the best Kamloops holiday lights in 2019
‘Tis the time of year when the radio plays constant holiday tunes, there’s peppermint and gingerbread treats all around, and the city is alight with twinkling homes. With help fr
December 23, 2019 4:30 PM
Kelowna farmer offering farm produce home delivery solution
As the future of farmers markets remain uncertain due to social distancing rules, a local farmer is strategizing on how to get their products to the community. Innovative, certified organic
March 19, 2020 6:30 AM
North Okanagan woman faces trial over sexual abuse of young boy at ministry-funded home
VERNON - A former youth worker faces allegations of sexual assault and sexual touching against a minor in relation to an incident that occurred during her employment at a government-funded care ho
August 13, 2018 6:30 PM

Wife sobs as she recounts discovery of drowned kids at husband's murder trial
The mother of two children drowned by their father in a Laval, Que., home sobbed as she testified about the day they we
February 05, 2026 1:54 PM
iN VIDEO: Party animals crash South Okanagan koi pond
iNhome

Oliver resident Edwin Dukes is on holiday with his wife on the Sunshine Coast and recently checked his outdoor secur
October 09, 2025 6:00 AM
The fight against Kelowna’s plan to spend $135M on two kilometres of road
iNwheels

Buried in a city plan, that isn’t exactly leisurely reading, is a plan for a two kilometre stretch of road in
October 09, 2025 4:00 AM
Israel and Hamas agree to part of Trump's Gaza peace plan, will free hostages and prisoners
WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed Wednesday to pause fighting in Gaza so that the remaining hostages there can
October 09, 2025 12:11 AM
Chip Wilson fined over signs posted outside mansion during B.C. election
VANCOUVER — Elections BC has found billionaire Chip Wilson contravened election advertising rules when he put
October 08, 2025 9:00 PM

Trending Now

TRENDING NOW: The last order of the day

© 2026 InfoTel News Ltd

View Site in: Desktop | Mobile