CINCINNATI — One of the largest buildings on Xavier University's campus could be renamed soon, according to officials.
Bishop Edward Fenwick Place is a residence hall, a dining area and an office space on XU's campus, but the process has begun to remove Fenwick's name from the building after it was discovered that he was a slave owner.
Father Michael Graham, XU's president, learned of Fenwick's past and started the Stained Glass Initiative, an effort to bring healing and reconciliation to the university.
Then, in October 2019, the topic of renaming the building was brought up at a national symposium hosted by XU in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati, which also has a connection to slavery.
Now, university officials are taking the next steps to rename the building.
"We have opened up a nomination process," Dr. Kyra Shahid, director of XU's Center for Diversity and Inclusion, said. "We are taking nominations from all students, staff and faculty, so that various members of Xavier community have the opportunity to weigh in."
The nomination process is open until Aug. 31, and there have already been about 60 submissions sent to officials. After the nomination process closes, Graham and the university's trustees will discuss the names and a decision might be made by spring of 2021.
You can submit your idea for a new name for the building by clicking here.
