Throughout 2020, the University of Mary Washington will be commemorating the national civil rights pioneer and UMW Distinguished History & American Studies Professor (1985-98) Dr. James Farmer.
This past January, we celebrated the centennial of his birth with a campus-wide birthday party and a visit from Congressman John Lewis of the U.S. House of Representatives, who, as a college student, participated in the 1961 Freedom Rides organized by Dr. Farmer.
All members of the UMW community, including parents and families, are welcome to attend the campus events commemorating Farmer’s legacy.
Meanwhile, test your knowledge of important dates and times for James Farmer (answers can be found at the bottom of the page):
Dr. Farmer Trivia
- State in which James Farmer was born.
- Year and city in which James Farmer co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).
- Number of riders on the May 1961 Freedom Rides.
- Farmer’s UMW academic department.
- US President who gave Dr. Farmer the Presidential Medal of Freedom (hint: the year was 1998).
- The year in which UMW’s Multicultural Center was named after Dr. Farmer.
In addition, check out this timeline of Dr. Farmer’s life.
UMW is committed to advancing his work in social justice, inclusive excellence, service, and community and civic engagement.
Juliette Landphair, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs
Trivia Answers: 1.) Texas 2.) 1942 Chicago 3.) Thirteen 4.) History & American Studies 5.) Bill Clinton 6.) 1998