Western Carolina University has removed the name of former North Carolina Governor and U.S. Senator Clyde Hoey from its auditorium on campus.
Hoey served as governor from 1937 to 1941, and U.S. Senator from 1945 until his death in 1954. The segregationist opposed civil rights legislation, and statehood for Hawaii because it "only contained a small percentage of white people." He served in the U.S. House of Representatives and both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly prior to becoming governor.
After the school’s board of trustees voted Monday to remove his name from the auditorium, Western Carolina chancellor Dr. Kelli Brown said the decision was long overdue. In a statement, Brown said the “values and views of the auditorium’s now former namesake do not correspond with the values and views of Western Carolina University.” The auditorium was completed in 1939 and sits 450 people. It is slated for eventual demolition as part of the university's long-range master plan.
North Carolina Central University took Hoey's name off it's administration building last year. Appalachian State University is also expected to rename a residence hall that bears Hoey's name.
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