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Named after the first African American graduate of UVM, this annual event honors the legacy and work of UVM community members who have inspired and strengthened diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus.

The 2023 celebration will take place on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 10am

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Honoring the Legacy of David Jamieson

The 2023 Andrew Harris Legacy Reception specifically honors the life of David Bethuel Jamieson, who attended UVM in the 1980s and 90s. Jamieson was an activist and artist, President of the Black Student Union, and is known for his artwork capturing student activism and the experience of being Black in Vermont. He died of AIDS-related illness in 1992. 

More on David Jamieson

Dr. H. Lawrence McCrorey Award for Inclusive Excellence

Dr. H. Lawrence McCrorey Award for Inclusive Excellence is for faculty or staff of color who demonstrate a commitment to Inclusive Excellence for those from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds whose work shows a lasting legacy of effort towards equity, justice and inclusion.

Nominations for this year's award are due by September 20, 2023.

Submit your nomination today!

Past Legacy Events

2022 Andrew Harris Legacy Reception - Honoring H. Lawrence McCrorey

On October 9, 2022 from 10-11:30 AM we joined together for a dynamic morning of great food and music along with meaningful reflections on the legacy of H. Lawrence (Larry) McCrorey, former UVM professor and dean whose influence and dedication to combating racism has had a lasting impact on the entire university community.

This year's program also presented the innaugural Dr. H. Lawrence McCrorey Award for Inclusive Excellence.  This award is for faculty or staff of color who demonstrate a commitment to Inclusive Excellence for those from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds whose work shows a lasting legacy of effort towards equity, justice and inclusion.

This year we specifically honored the legacy of H. Lawrence McCrorey, former UVM professor and dean whose influence and dedication to combating racism has had a lasting impact on the entire university community. The event was part of UVM Weekend and was held in the Davis Center. It featured jazz group comprised of current and former UVM employees who knew Larry; a brunch menu crafted by Sodexo, two UVM students (Soul Brew), and local chefs and entrepreneurs, including Larry’s daughter, Leslie McCrorey; and remarks from notable UVM community members who have connections to Larry and his legacy. This event also promoted the new H. Lawrence McCrorey endowment that will help fund DEI initiatives through parts of the university. 

2021 Andrew Harris Legacy Reception

2021's speakers included Amer F. Ahmed, Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Sherwood Smith, Senior Executive Director for Inclusive Excellence and Faculty Engagement; Bev Colston, Director of the Mosiac Center for Students of Color; Rev. Laura Engelken, Director of the Interfaith Center; Paul Yoon, Senior Advisor for Inclusive Excellence; and Jim Vigoreaux, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

Watch the 2021 reception remarks

2020 Andrew Harris Commons Legacy & Black Lives Matter Flag Dedication

In October, we gathered to honor the legacy and work of our UVM community members who have led the way to inspire and strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. The program included a welcoming from Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant, reflective words on the Harris legacy by Bev Colston, and a Black Lives Matter (BLM) Flag Dedication.

Watch the Celebration on YouTube

BLM Flag History

In 2016, UVM was the first institution of higher education in the United States to fly the Black Lives Matter flag. Since then, thousands of other institutions across the country have followed our lead. After the first flown BLM flag was stolen, our community came together to hoist a second BLM flag handmade by former Director of Student Life Pat Brown and his wife Amy Huntington. The BLM flag will be prominently displayed in the University’s Mosaic Center for Students of Color to signify UVM’s continued commitment and dedication to Honoring Black lives.