HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Monday will mark the start of a public comment period regarding the name of Jenkins Hall on the campus of Marshall University.
The building is named after Albert Gallatin Jenkins, a general for the Confederate States of America and salve owner from Cabell County. Jenkins attended Marshall Academy, and his body is buried at Spring Hill Cemetary in Huntington.
The naming of the building was done in 1937.
University president Jerome Gilbert announced in April a look at renaming the hall and appointed 12 people to an ad hoc committee to examine the names of all buildings on campus to determine if extra actions are needed. The committee consists of students, faculty and members of the university’s Board of Governors.
According to committee chairman Christine Kinsey, the Marshall University chapter of Students for a Democratic Society first proposed changing the name of Jenkins Hall.
“I think it has been a very diplomatic process and a very respectable process of the different organizations and the different viewpoints,” she said. “Not everyone has the same viewpoint, but the most important fact of this whole situation has been all voices are heard.”
An information session took place last week to discuss the name change process.
“It went very well,” said Kinsey, who is also secretary of the Board of Governors. “It was very diplomatic and considerate, and had very well thought-out and research presentations.”
Kinsey also said the only building being considered right now is Jenkins Hall.
The public comment period goes through Dec. 14. The committee will be responsible for compiling a report to present to Gilbert, who will then present the report and his thoughts to the Board of Governors at its Feb. 28 meeting.
Individuals interested in submitting a comment can do so at https://www.marshall.edu/president/building-names/.