Columbia College to observe “Juneteenth” as official college holiday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia College President Dr. Scott Dalrymple announced this morning two initiatives that came out of his Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

The college will use Williams Hall, the oldest building on campus, as their modern Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center at Columbia College.

In his morning statement, Dr. Dalrymple says the college already has "some exciting preliminary designs, and have initiated fundraising efforts for the Center."

The college will also recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday, starting next year. Since June 19, 2021 falls on a Saturday, we will recognize it on Friday the 18th.

Juneteenth is that even after the Civil War ended, a militia in Texas continued to resist for weeks. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that slaves in Galveston, Texas were liberated. This date is now celebrated as Juneteenth.