University News

Macomb, WIU Honor C.T. Vivian

October 1, 2015

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MACOMB, IL – Legendary Civil Rights activist and Macomb native the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian has returned to his hometown for a series of events this week recognizing his contributions to the Civil Rights movement.

On Thursday, the Macomb School District paid tribute to Vivian, a 1942 Macomb High School graduate, with the renaming of the high school library as the C.T. Vivian Library. Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas took part in the ceremony honoring the Rev. Vivian.

"It was an honor to be a part of this event today to recognize such a great man. His legacy will continue in perpetuity in Macomb, Illinois and at Western Illinois University" said Thomas. "We are so proud of Dr. Vivian. It is wonderful to have him back in our community and on our campus to celebrate his many achievements."

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.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, Vivian will preside over Western's Homecoming Parade as the 2015 grand marshal. The parade will begin at the Macomb Square at 10:30 a.m., ending on campus past the WIU Alumni House.

After graduating from Macomb High, Vivian attended Western Illinois University, where he worked as the sports editor for the student newspaper. Vivian received an honorary doctorate from Western in 1987.

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. During his long career as a Civil Rights icon, Vivian served with Dr. Martin Luther King 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. He was the first one of King's staff to write a book on the Civil Rights Movement, "Black Power and the American Myth." In 2013, he was among 16 individuals recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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.

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