In celebration of Black History Month, this episode spotlights a notable, African American Etown College alumnus, W. Miller Barbour (also known as William Miller Barbour). Hailing from nearby Middletown, PA, Barbour was one of the college’s first African American graduates, studying in the liberal arts program and graduating in 1932. He then went on to pursue a Master’s degree in social work at the University of Pennsylvania before embarking on a career as a scholar and activist, fighting for African American rights around housing and employment through leadership positions at the National Urban League.
A group of Etown faculty, staff, and recent alums are working together on a research project about Barbour’s life, work, and legacy. Librarian Josh Cohen speaks with some of the team, including Jean-Paul Benowitz, director of prestigious scholarships and Public Heritage Studies; Peter Depuydt, a retired librarian and archivist; Abigail Sholes '23, a History and Social Studies Education major who graduated in December; and a returning guest to the podcast, Eric Schubert '23, who has been working as a forensic genetic genealogist for the company Othram Incorporated since graduating last May.
It was a pleasure to be able to talk with them about their research, which they hope to publish prior to the college’s 125th anniversary celebration in the Fall 2024.