University of Maryland Visitors Guide - Flipbook - Page 49
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4 Parren J. Mitchell
Art-Sociology Building
6 Nyumburu Cultural Center
Parren J. Mitchell M.A. ’52 sued UMD
“freedom house,” the center recently
to become the first African American
celebrated its 50th anniversary
graduate student to take all of his
as the hub for social, cultural and
classes on campus and receive a
intellectual African American
degree. Mitchell went on to become a
interaction on campus.
Named for the Swahili word for
civil rights leader and Maryland’s first
Black congressman.
7 Frederick Douglass Square
5 Johnson-Whittle Hall
One of the most important figures in
One of UMD’s newest residence halls
(1818–95) is honored with an 8-foot-
is named for two trailblazing Black
tall bronze statue unveiled in 2015.
Terps who played important roles in
Born into slavery in Talbot County,
diversifying the University of Maryland
Md., Douglass taught himself to read
campus. It honors Hiram Whittle, the
and write on the streets of Baltimore
first African American man admitted
before escaping at age 20. Douglass
to the university, in 1951; and Elaine
went on to become a powerful voice
Johnson Coates, the first African
for abolition and women’s rights.
Maryland history, Frederick Douglass
American woman to graduate with an
7
undergraduate degree, in 1959.
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