On March 21, 1963 the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to the University of Virginia to speak about civil rights.
Wesley Harris (Engr ’64), then chairman of the local chapter of the Virginia Council on Human Relations, was one of the students instrumental in bringing King to Charlottesville. For Harris, the visit was life changing. Years later Dr. William (Bill) Harris served as Dean of the Office of African American Affairs from 1976-1981.
On January 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., a plaque commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech will be unveiled in the auditorium of Old Cabell Hall. Donated by brothers William and Wesley Harris, the plaque will forever be a reminder of the speech that brought Dr. King’s legacy to UVA and Charlottesville.
Members of the media are invited to cover the unveiling and should arrive at 1:45 for interviews.