Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
A long-overdue milestone occurred on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with the celebratory unveiling of The Marcus T. Johnson Alumni House, the first building at the 134-year-old university named for an African American.
Johnson, a class of ’99 alumnus, declared to hundreds of fellow alumni, friends, current students, and university officials in the audience, “When you walk through this house, let it serve as a reminder that you belong.” His financial gift, reportedly one of the largest in university history, was part of UNCG’s “Light the Way” campaign, which has raised more than $200 million to fund educational programs.
Under bright sunny skies, the Oct. 18 festivities opened on College Way with a stirring trumpet solo, musical chorus, spoken word by a UNCG student, and praise, beginning with Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam Jr., “We celebrate Marcus T. Johnson and his many contributions to UNCG,” saying Johnson’s support “will have a lasting impact across multiple areas on campus.”
In particular, the chancellor mentioned UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics, where Johnson earned a degree in business administration.
“His [Johnson’s] support will expand opportunities for students and bolster the innovative Bryan Blueprint Series. It helps accelerate students’ personal and professional growth.”
The Alumni House has long been a hub for alumni leadership and meetings. It has also been an invaluable resource for student groups, faculty, staff and the larger community.
As the first building on the campus to be named in honor of an African American, Chancellor Gilliam said, “That’s especially meaningful at a university where, this fall, well over half of our more than 18,000 students are people of color.”
Johnson spoke about the importance of belonging, sharing that during his first year at UNCG, some of his dorm mates made him feel unwelcome, hurling racist epithets.
“I’m a firm believer that to whom much is given, much is required,” he said, explaining his motivation for his historic gift. “I hope that act inspires someone else who may not feel like they belong, or who’s been told that they can’t – to know that they absolutely can.”
