Michael A Middleton's Remarks, Dr. Arvarh Strickland Dinner

October 19, 2007

Tonight, we mark a point in history when the University of Missouri took a bold step - departing from a past of exclusion and transforming itself into a university that taps the intellectual power of all people and is therefore inclusive of all perspectives, world views, and experiences.

It was in 1969 that the university hired its first African-American professor. There are those who rightly suggest that the change came much too late, but tonight we mark the point that it came, and celebrate how this university has grown and thrived as a result.

It is in that context that we celebrate the great contributions of Dr. Arvarh E. Strickland - contributions not only to the students that he has touched, but also to the faculty, administrators and indeed the entire university community.

It can truly be said that Dr. Strickland’s presence on this campus has transformed the very culture of this institution. We celebrate Dr. Strickland therefore, not because he is African-American (he’s been that for 80 years), but because he is a great historian, scholar, teacher, colleague, and citizen - because of the skill and dignity with which he took on and accomplished the monumental task of paving the way and setting the stage for the faculty of color that have followed him at this great university.

The university has recognized Arvarh’s significant contributions by today naming our general classroom building “Arvarh E. Strickland Hall.”

The Strickland name will appropriately be a major part of this institutions celebrated history for generations to come.

Arvarh Strickland, our friend, our teacher, our mentor our colleague, the consummate historian – has become a visible, tangible, permanent “bricks and mortar” part of the history of the University of Missouri.

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