Letter from George M. Modlin to Charles H. Hamilton

Letter from George M. Modlin to Charles H. Hamilton

This letter was sent on July 8, 1949, by George M. Modlin, the President of the University of Richmond, to Charles H. Hamilton, the City Editor of the Richmond News Leader. This letter was sent in response to Hamilton’s letter requesting a statement regarding political activities at the university in light of the concern surrounding communism in the United States. Modlin’s response was sent past the June 28 deadline Hamilton gave him. Modlin wrote that faculty members were not required to give a "loyalty statement" and the university does not ask about the faculty or prospective faculty’s political beliefs. The university had not dismissed any faculty members based on political affiliation, but "an avowed member of the Communist party would not be permitted on the faculty as he would not be free to seek and teach the truth." In addition, textbooks were chosen by professors and none had been rejected based on "undesirable political or economic material." The students were also encouraged to participate in political activities "in preparation for active citizenship."

Letter from George M. Modlin to Charles H. Hamilton, 8 July 1949, RG 6.2.4 box 7 folder 8, University Archives, Virginia Baptist Historical Society.

1949-07-08

English

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Richmond (Va.)