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The Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian
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C.T. Vivian to Serve as WIU Homecoming Grand Marshal

September 21, 2015

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MACOMB, IL -- The road from Macomb, Illinois, led renowned Civil Rights activist the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian to a remarkable life and career.

Vivian has been named the grand marshal for the Western Illinois University 2015 Homecoming Celebration, "Rocky's Road Trip: All Roads Lead to Western." Vivian will return to his hometown to preside over the 2015 activities, including the Oct. 3 Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. He will also be recognized at half-time of the Leatherneck football game.

Vivian, a distinguished, author, organizer and civil rights icon, graduated from Macomb High School in 1942 and went on to attend Western Illinois University, where he worked as the sports editor for the student newspaper. His career as an activist began in Peoria (IL), where he participated in his first sit-in demonstrations, which successfully integrated Barton's Cafeteria in 1947.

"I never would have been who I was if not for Macomb, Illinois," he said during a presentation at WIU in September 2010. "We'd lost everything in the Great Depression, and they wanted to protect the one thing they still had [their child]. They wanted to leave Missouri because of segregation, so we came to Macomb because I could start first grade here and go all the way through college."

Vivian has a long record of civil rights activism, from desegregation of Peoria lunch counters to service with Dr. Martin Luther King in Civil Rights Movement activities in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. He joined King's executive staff and served as the national director of affiliates for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. While in Chicago he organized and directed the Coalition for United Community Action. The group of 61 organizations became Chicago's Black Front. They organized teen gangs and gained 20,000 training slots for Black and Latino youth in the 16 building trade unions, and created the Chicago Plan.

He was the first one of King's staff to write a book on the Civil Rights Movement, "Black Power and the American Myth." Vivian received an honorary doctorate from Western Illinois University in 1987. In 2013, he was among 16 individuals recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In September 2003, Macomb City officials designated a portion of West Murray Street from Stadium Drive to University Drive, the roadway through the campus, as C.T. Vivian Way. On Oct. 1, the Macomb High School Library will be renamed and dedicated as the C.T. Vivian Library. A ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at Macomb High School. In addition, the City of Macomb will host a special ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at Adams and Lafayette streets to officially open the new second "gateway" entrance into campus at that intersection, and to issue an honorary designation of C.T. Vivian Way from University Drive to Carroll Street. Vivian will also be recognized at that time as Western's dissertation fellowship and visiting professor programs are renamed the C.T. Vivian Dissertation Fellowship & Visiting Professor Teaching Scholars Programs.

"We are greatly honored to have the Rev. Dr. Vivian return to campus to preside over our 2015 Homecoming Celebration. He is an incredible role model for our students as he is an outstanding example of success and honor," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "It is a privilege to have this great man as a part of our Leatherneck family and Macomb community."

Vivian is the director of the Urban Theological Institute at Atlanta's Interdenominational Theological Center, a consortium of African-American seminaries, and is board chair of Capitol City Bank, a minority-owned bank with branches in eight locations in Georgia. Through his C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute, he fosters innovative leadership and career development for at-risk youth and college graduates.

For a complete homecoming schedule of events, visit wiu.edu/alumni and wiu.edu/uub.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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