Union Unveils Silas Hunt Memorial Room; Plans for Monument to be Announced

Union 305, the Silas Hunt Memorial Room

Union 504, Aiming for the Stars Room

Union 516A, Sustainability Room

Photo Submitted

Union 305, the Silas Hunt Memorial Room

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Silas Hunt’s legacy at the University of Arkansas was recognized today with a special tribute, in memory of the civil rights pioneer.

 First, the realization of a plan to promote diversity within the Arkansas Union was completed with an open house of the Silas Hunt Memorial Room. In all, five rooms inside the student union have been renovated to reflect different themes, ranging from sustainability to honoring the legacy of Silas Hunt, the first black student in modern times to be admitted to a Southern public university.

Second, a plaque recognizing the recipients of the Silas Hunt Legacy Award, which is given to African Americans whose contributions to the university, the state and the nation shine a light on the University of Arkansas, will be housed in the Silas Hunt Room, complementing the theme of the room. Since its inception in 2006, 14 alumni and friends have received the honor.

Finally, Chancellor G. David Gearhart hinted that an artist would soon be selected to create a permanent monument to the civil rights pioneer. This past fall, the University of Arkansas Public Art Oversight Committee began seeking established professional artists to send qualifications and proposals for an outdoor monument. This is the first work of art commissioned by the committee.

In addition to Gearhart, Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity, and David Davies, assistant vice provost for student affairs spoke at the event.

About the Arkansas Union project:

In its efforts to promote diversity, the Arkansas Union began an initiative almost five years ago to renovate the many meeting rooms within the building. So far, there have been five meeting rooms transformed since the inception of the idea. It was the goal of the union staff to set aside funds for one room each year to be designed and renovated by the staff and to involve other departments across campus to sponsor the projects. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to create a space in the Arkansas Union to which every student at the university can relate.

“In the union mission, we promise to create a welcoming atmosphere and to support the diversity of our campus community,” said Lynn Williams, director of business services for the Arkansas Union.

“We hope that these diverse meeting rooms will not only enhance the inclusive spirit at the union, but at the university as a whole,” Williams said.

Arkansas Union 305, outside the Union Food Court, is a far cry from the basic meeting room it once was. Formerly a gray space with some tables and chairs, the room now features a wall-sized mural titled Silas Hunt, Pointing to the Future, and a timeline chronicling the black experience on the University of Arkansas campus from the institution’s earliest days.

The following meeting rooms have been renovated within the Arkansas Union and may be viewed at any time so long as they aren’t in use for meetings.

• 401: Razorback Room

• 301: History of the Union Room

• 516: Sustainability Room

• 504: Aiming for the Stars Room

• 305: Silas Hunt Memorial Room