Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Baylor to rename Burleson Quadrangle, move statue

  • June 6, 2022
  • Texas Baptist Standard
  • Latest News, Texas
The Burleson Quadrangle on the Baylor University campus will be renamed “The Quadrangle.”
(Photo courtesy of Baylor Media & Communications)

Baylor to rename Burleson Quadrangle, move statue

Baylor University will remove the statue of slaveholding former president Rufus Burleson from the quadrangle that has borne his name and add to Founders Mall a space recognizing unknown enslaved people connected to Baylor’s early years.

At its May 20 meeting, Baylor’s board of regents approved a four-phase framework to implement many of the recommendations of the Commission on Historic Campus Representations.

As part of the initial phase in the plan the regents approved, Baylor will move the statue of Rufus Burleson to a less prominent location near Georgia Burleson Hall and rename its previous home simply “The Quadrangle.” The university also will add additional signage to tell a more complete history of the Burleson family.

The historic bells on The Quadrangle — believed to have been used on slave-labor plantations before they were given to the university — will be relocated to the site of Baylor’s original campus at Independence.

‘Tell the university’s complete story’

“Our goal at the outset of this process was not to erase Baylor’s history, but rather to tell the university’s complete story by taking an additive approach as we shine light on the past,” Board Chair Mark Rountree of Dallas said.

“Some of the facts uncovered about the university’s history have indeed been painful, but it is important that we move forward together as the Baylor Family through an intentional process of reckoning, repentance, reconciliation and redemption.”

In researching founding figures in Baylor’s history, the commission discovered Burleson — who served twice as Baylor’s president — not only was a chaplain in the Confederate army, but also owned at least one enslaved person.

As university president, Burleson encouraged male students to fight for the Confederacy, and after the war, he continued to voice support for the “Lost Cause.”

Ironically, Burleson also was instrumental in founding Bishop College, a historically Black school, and in forming New Hope Baptist Church in Waco, an African American congregation.

Devote space on Founders Mall to the unknown enslaved

Also as part of the initial phase of the regent-approved plan, Baylor will select a comprehensive design firm to develop an area on Founders Mall dedicated to the unknown enslaved people who were part of Baylor’s founding and the creation of its campus. It will be designed as a place of reflection and contemplation, with water and light features.

The statue of Judge R.E.B. Baylor — whom the commission discovered owned 33 enslaved people in 1860 — will remain in place, but additional signage will be added to tell a more complete story.

“It’s extremely important that our physical campus represents the diverse, welcoming community that embodies the Baylor Family,” President Linda Livingstone said. “Our work to date has been very strategic and intentional as we delicately weave the gospel story and complete history of the university into our existing physical and online spaces.

“This work ultimately will provide not only the appropriate recognitions, but also will create new areas of reflection, gathering and community in the center of campus for students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests. Our intent is for the historic heart of campus to be transformed into a vibrant, welcoming hub of activity and events.”


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was originally based on reporting by Lori Fogleman and published by Baptist Standard.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight
    The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding
    Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.
  • Amplify

Related Posts

The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight

Recently I toured the Bunker at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. It was the secret location where the U.S. Congress would move in case of

China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries

 The Chinese Communist Party, which restricts Christian ministries, is clamping down even tighter with the institution of new legal restrictions. The relief group Barnabas Fund

Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding

Many churches are having a difficult time reaching the next generation with the message of Jesus Christ. Not only are churches struggling to connect with

IMB Journeyman learns faithfulness, flexibility in move from Ukraine to Poland

When training to be a missionary, instructors and mentors emphasize the need to be flexible, even fluid. Jaden Williamson listened but never thought he’d be

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel