Press Release

Below is the Press Release we have made. It will also include the Knowing Our History banner found on the website, but I couldn't get that to paste onto the blog.

Thanks,

Mike

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 11, 2009

Contact: Mike Kurkjian

Phone: (301) 335-6887

E-mail: mkurkjia@umd.edu

SLAVERY CLASS UNCOVERS UNIVERSITY'S FIRST PRESIDENT’S GRAVE

College Park, MD – The University of Maryland’s undergraduate class researching the University’s connection to slavery has uncovered Benjamin Hallowell’s grave, located in Sandy Spring, MD.

The finding of Hallowell’s grave is a monumental breakthrough in understanding slavery on Maryland’s campus. Hallowell was a devout Quaker and an abolitionist, who was surprisingly appointed as the campus’ first President, when it was known as the Maryland Agricultural College. As the majority of the original trustees were slave-owners, the choice of Hallowell remains a mystery, which the class hopes to uncover further.

“Finding Hallowell’s grave is a very significant step in uncovering the origins of slavery on our campus,” said Kevin Valdez, a Senior History major who located the grave site. “Every day we are getting closer and closer to uncovering the truth”.

The course, which is called, “Knowing Our History” was formed during the University of Maryland’s 150^th anniversary commemoration to fully understand the campus’ connection to slavery and its roots. The course is taught by world-renowned professor Ira Berlin and a doctorial candidate Herbert Brewer.

The class will write and issue a report by the end of the Spring semester in May.

“Knowing Our History: African American Slavery and the University of Maryland” is a class research project led by Professors Ira Berlin and Herbert Brewer to uncover the links between slavery and the founding of the University of Maryland. The research team consists of a diverse sampling of undergraduate students from various backgrounds and majors.

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