On September 12, Duke held the official opening and reception ceremony for the 1969 Allen Building Takeover Exhibit as part of a seires of events to commemorate the integration of the university. Former SOLster Caitlin Johnson (Trinity ’12) curated the exhibit, which includes newspaper clippings, audio recordings, filmed interviews, and photographs from the past to the present.  Caitlin researched the event for her capstone project as part of the Center for Documentary Studies certificate.

Caitlin discussing the origins of her project at the exhibit's opening.

Caitlin discussing the origins of her project at the exhibit’s opening.

“In my eyes, this was the seminal turning point in the University’s history on where Duke would stand – politically, academically, socially and economically – on the questions of race relations, racial understanding and empathy, and fair opportunity in the universe of enlightened people,” she said.

To read more about Caitlin’s project, see the article on Duke Today.

In addition to Caitlin’s exhibit opening on September 12, Duke Today published the transcript of the conversation Hart Leadership Co-Director Alma Blount and her husband, HLP writing coach David Guy had with Bill Griffith, who was Dean of Student Affairs during the takeover and throughout the 1960s.

To read their conversation about the Allen Building Takeover, click here: Bill Griffith.

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