Hundreds reportedly gathered on Friday at Troy University to celebrate the naming of an academic building in the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ (D-GA) honor.
Troy officially dedicated John Robert Lewis Hall in a ceremony that included two of the Alabama native’s congressional colleagues, members of his family and powerful musical performances.
Lewis was born on February 21, 1940, in Troy. He grew up in rural Pike County. After seeking to become the first black student in history at then-Troy State University, he ultimately attended the American Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University in Tennessee.
“To see this happen in his hometown of Troy, in a city where he was once denied his basic right to education, he would have been overcome with pride and gratefulness,” Jerrick Lewis, the late civil rights icon’s nephew, said on Friday.
“My uncle would have been proud to have his name displayed on this building, and he would’ve been proud of this university for showing the world what it truly stands for: unity and equality over hatred,” he continued.
Troy University’s board of trustees voted unanimously in August to rename Bibb Graves Hall after Lewis, who passed away in July following a battle with pancreatic cancer at age 80.
The university honored Lewis with a memorial service July 25, but Friday’s ceremony marked a chance to cement his legacy at Troy for all-time.
“It is the right thing to do to name this building for a great man,” said Troy Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. “I am proud of our Board for making that decision. On July 25, we honored John Lewis for a day. Today, we honor him for an eternity.”
Troy previously awarded Lewis an honorary doctorate.
“On behalf of the family, I’d like to thank Dr. Hawkins and Troy University for being the perfect example of change and progress,” added Ron Lewis, another of Lewis’ nephews.
U.S. Reps. Martha Roby (AL-02) and Terri Sewell (AL-07) also spoke at the ceremony, praising their longtime colleague for his commitment to service.
“He was known as the conscience of Congress,” Roby stated. “He was a true American patriot. We had the great privilege of serving with John.”
“No one represents the resilient spirit of the state of Alabama, the city of Troy and Troy University like the ‘Boy from Troy,’” Sewell commented.
Trustee Lamar Higgins advised that the building now represents a man who paved the way for others, including himself.
“If it weren’t for John Lewis, Lamar Higgins wouldn’t be here today,” he remarked. “If it weren’t for John Lewis, a lot of great things about this country would not have happened. We’re grateful for all that he has done.”
Troy board of trustees president pro-tem Gibson Vance concluded that he hopes students learn from Lewis’ example.
“We hope they’ll be inspired by this man to go out into the world and make it a better place,” Vance said.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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