LSU announced with black student leaders Wednesday night that it will rename Middleton Library, pending board approval.
The announcement came after LSU administrators met with black student leaders this evening. Interim President Tom Galligan and Chair of the LSU Board of Supervisors Mary Merner were also present for the announcement.
The Advocate reports that administration has met with black student leaders for four consecutive days, discussing ways to bring more racial justice to LSU's campus. The change would apparently also call for removing the bust of Troy H. Middleton and anything in the building that is associated with his name.
LSU Black student leaders announce Middleton Library will be renamed pending board approval. pic.twitter.com/kU5Mnj3Ch0
— LSU (@LSU) June 11, 2020
Together with board and campus leaders, I had a meaningful and emotional meeting with Black student leaders this afternoon to share ideas and plan for concrete steps to make real change at LSU. I am moved by the students’ passion, leadership and vision.
— Tom Galligan (@LSUpresident) June 9, 2020
WAFB in Baton Rouge posted the following statement from LSU libraries:
“Troy H. Middleton became almost synonymous with LSU during his service to the University. As a major in the U.S. Army, Middleton arrived on campus in 1930 to become commandant of ROTC cadets. Middleton also served as assistant vice president of the University in the wake of the ‘University Scandals’ in 1939 and comptroller until the end of 1941. During the Second World War, Middleton ably served as a division and corps commander in the invasion of Sicily and Italy in 1943, the post-D-Day thrust through France and Belgium, in 1944, and as defender of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-1945. Middleton returned to service at LSU after the war as comptroller and in 1951, the Board of Supervisors elected him president of the University, an office he held until 1962. It was largely through Middleton’s efforts that the new library became a reality. The library was officially named the Troy H. Middleton Library in 1979 after Middleton’s death.”
LSU Libraries
This story will be updated with more information.
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