Email notification of the passing of Dr. W. Robert Crigler, the first African-American student at Ursinus College. Email sent on Thursday, October 25th, 2018 by “Ursinus News”

Email notification of the passing of Dr. W. Robert Crigler, the first African-American student at Ursinus College. Email sent on Thursday, October 25th, 2018 by “Ursinus News”

Racism at Ursinus College

Dr. W. Robert Crigler was the first African-American graduate of Ursinus College in 1956. His passing is significant for many reasons, however most recognizable is the establishment of The W. R. Crigler Institute for black students (formerly known as Summer Bridge). In 2018, Ursinus College demolished Unity House-- a home for the Institute-- and notified the campus community of Crigler’s death through email. However intentional or not, this email reads weirdly impersonal; it is further highlighted by the lack of on-campus plans to commemorate his legacy. This certainly is a reflection on the culture of loss and grief on campus in relation to its esteemed alumni; this is further complicated by race-- why are some more easily forgotten than others?