James Farmer Lecture
The University of Mary Washington honors the legacy of Dr. James Farmer, and is pleased to announce an important change to the program that has, for the last decade, recognized the role that Dr. Farmer played in enriching the intellectual life of Mary Washington. The James Farmer Lecture will be an annual lecture at the University of Mary Washington presented by a person whose efforts in the areas of civil rights and social justice are worthy of such a distinction. The lecture will be given in the fall on the Fredericksburg campus, and will be free and open to the public. The selected individual will be someone whose work exemplifies the qualities and traits of Dr. Farmer through his or her contributions to civil rights and social justice as an activist, scholar, public official, and/or professional.
As an organizer, activist, and scholar, Dr. Farmer understood the importance of community engagement and believed in the power of individuals to transform their communities in positive and meaningful ways. He brought the lessons of a life lived on the frontlines of the fight for civil rights and social justice to the greater UMW community when he lived and worked in the region as Mary Washington’s beloved Distinguished Professor of History and American Studies. Consequently, it is only appropriate that any member of the UMW community may nominate an individual to be honored with a title linked to his name and legacy. Nominations are especially encouraged from students and members of the Fredericksburg community.
To nominate an individual to give the James Farmer Lecture, go to the nomination page and complete the nomination form to submit the individual’s name, title, and a rationale (up to 500 words) for why you think he or she should be invited to campus. Nominations are accepted at any time, but only those received by March 31, 2014 will be considered for the following year. The James Farmer Lecture and Post Doctoral Committee will receive and review all nominations, and will make a selection. Once the selection is made, and the individual accepts this honor, the name of the lecturer will be announced with the date of the James Farmer Lecture that will be given the following fall. The annual lecture is an important event in the academic life of UMW.