Our Movement

The Reclaim&Rename platform aims to address issues of systemic racism on Clemson University’s campus by demanding the immediate removal of John C. Calhoun’s name from the Honors College. A figure who advocated for the expansion of slavery as a “positive good,” Calhoun exemplifies white supremacist values which fail to reflect the university’s mission, fail to promote inclusivity and the recognition of diverse perspectives, and fail to support the sanctity of Black lives. Founded in 1962, the Honors College did not adopt the addition of Calhoun’s name until 1981; to change the name of the program, then, is not to “erase history,” but rather, to acknowledge that our understanding of history has evolved. As many universities around the world are tackling the challenge of institutional legacies, we must join the cause by actively pursuing policies and practices of anti-racism on Clemson’s predominantly white campus— a campus which notably occupies a former plantation and was constructed primarily by slave labor. John C. Calhoun’s name represents a persistent and unnecessary obstacle to enhancing Clemson’s diversity and increasing its excellence. To reject the inclusion of this name on the Calhoun Honors College is to renounce racist ideals and affirm the notion that Black lives are valued at Clemson University.

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In the News

  1. Clemson’s Calhoun Honors College has a new name after pushback - The State

  2. Clemson removes John C. Calhoun's name from Honors College, asks to rename Tillman Hall - Greenville News

  3. Clemson drops Calhoun's name, renames Honors College; requests authority to rename Tillman Hall - Fox Carolina

  4. Clemson to remove name of pro-slavery politician from school's honor college - NBC News

  5. Clemson removes John C. Calhoun's name from honors college - CBS News

  6. Clemson Trustees approve Honors College name change; request authority to restore original name of Tillman Hall - Clemson Newsstand

  7. Clemson, UofSC students and alumni call for repeal of Heritage Act - ABC 4 News

  8. Clemson University Board of Trustees to vote on Calhoun Honors College Friday - Greenville News

  9. Racing to Beat Coronavirus, Clemson Faced a Debate on Race - Wall Street Journal

  10. Clemson to Strip ‘Calhoun’ Name From Honors College - Wall Street Journal

  11. State lawmakers respond to concerns with an Upstate monument and University program - WSPA

  12. NFL stars call on Clemson University to sever all ties with John C. Calhoun, the slave-owning former US vice president whose plantation became its campus - CNN

  13. Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins urge Clemson to drop name of slave-owning politician - Washington Post

  14. DeAndre Hopkins explains reasoning for not saying Clemson in player intros - tigernet.com

  15. DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson join petition to remove John Calhoun's name from Clemson - CBS Sports

  16. DeAndre Hopkins calls for Clemson to remove slave owner's name from school - CardsWire

  17. DeAndre Hopkins explains why he doesn’t rep Clemson in NFL intros - Arizona Sports 98.7FM

  18. Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins rally for removal of slave owner’s name at Clemson’s honor college - click2houston.com

  19. DeAndre Hopkins Explains Why He Doesn’t Say 'Clemson' in Pre-Game Introductions - Sports Illustrated

  20. DeAndre Hopkins Denounces Alma Mater for Commemorations - SI AllCardinals

  21. Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins urge Clemson to stop honoring slavery advocate John Calhoun - NBC Sports

  22. Who was John C. Calhoun? Former Clemson Stars DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson Want Slavery Advocate's Name Removed - Newsweek

  23. DEANDRE HOPKINS, DESHAUN WATSON WANT SLAVE OWNER’S NAME REMOVED AT CLEMSON - Source Sports

  24. Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins Call on Clemson to Rename Calhoun Honors College - Sports Illustrated

  25. Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins join petition to remove John C. Calhoun's name from Clemson - USA Today

  26. Protestors revive push to remove John C. Calhoun's name from Clemson Honors College - Greenville News

  27. DeAndre Hopkins Joins Petition Urging Clemson to Rename Calhoun Honors College - Bleacher Report

  28. NFL star DeAndre Hopkins calls for name change to Clemson building - The State

  29. DeAndre Hopkins calls for Clemson to change honors college name - 247 Sports

  30. DEANDRE HOPKINS CALLS OUT CLEMSON: Remove Slave Owner's Name From Honors College!!! - TMZ

  31. Opinion: It's time to strip Calhoun's name from Clemson's Honors College - Greenville News

  32. Clemson's Tillman Hall, Confederate monument in Anderson and more targeted by petitions - Greenville News

  33. Clemson University students petition to remove John C. Calhoun name from honors college - Greenville News