Oberlin Celebrates the Dedication of Langston Hall

On Friday, February 13, Oberlin College and Conservatory formally dedicated the student residence Langston Hall to its namesake, John Mercer Langston, one of Oberlin’s earliest Black graduates, who went on to become the first Black lawyer in Ohio admitted to the bar. 

Langston had a long list of other achievements, such as helping to establish the Howard University School of Law, serving as its founding dean, and becoming Virginia’s first Black congressman. 

President Carmen Twillie Ambar noted the importance of installing commemorative plaques on campus honoring influential alumni. “These markers of impact and influence are not just important for historical sake; they’re also important for what we can do in the future,” she said.

The ceremony featured a keynote address from A.G. Miller, Professor Emeritus of Religion and Africana Studies and pastor at Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship. He gave a detailed retelling of Langston’s life and accomplishments, noting that much of Oberlin’s Black history and African American community can be traced back to Langston’s time as a student.

In a congratulatory video submitted by Howard University School of Law, Dean Roger A. Fairfax, Jr., sent warm wishes to Oberlin. “The extraordinary John Mercer Langston is one of the most consequential individuals in American history,” he said.

The afternoon tea continued with a musical celebration featuring conservatory students and guitarist Damian Goggans ’25. They performed pieces curated by Professor Courtney-Savali Andrews ’04 that highlighted African American composers whose works were heard around the world in the 19th century.

In addition to the plaque, President Ambar also unveiled the portrait of Langston, which will hang proudly in Langston Hall, helping students and visitors alike to better understand the remarkable legacy and history surrounding them. 

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