Hundreds Gather to Dedicate Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza
Social Justice Advocates, Community Leaders, Family, Friends Join UMD, Bowie State to Honor Legacy, Denounce Bigotry
From left, university President Darryll J. Pines and Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux stand with Dawn and Richard Collins in the plaza dedicated today for the couple's son. The Lt. Richard W. Collins III Plaza (below) is meant to honor the legacy of and inspire social justice work on behalf of Collins, a Bowie State ROTC student who was murdered on campus by a white UMD student. His parents addressed hundreds of attendees at the dedication ceremony (at bottom).
Photos by Stephanie S. Cordle
The University of Maryland hosted a dedication ceremony today for the new Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza, which honors the life and legacy of a Bowie State University student who was killed in an act of hate in 2017. Hundreds of university community members gathered alongside social justice activists, community leaders, government officials, family and friends of the Collins family to remember Lt. Collins and advance important discussions on social justice and equity for all.
“Our campus has a tradition of honoring civil rights heroes: Benjamin Banneker. Frederick Douglass. Harriett Tubman. Parren J. Mitchell.,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “Today, along with the spaces, statues, halls and programs that bear their names, we are adding a new name that will spark the inspiration needed to fight for social justice: Lt. Richard W. Collins III. This is a name—a legacy—that will mean something to every person who sets foot on our campus.”
Richard and Dawn Collins said that their wish is for Collins Plaza to be a lasting symbolic place where the University of Maryland honors the spirit of their son and repudiates bigotry.
“His young life exemplified all that is good and hopeful in a world that too often dismisses the sanctity of human life itself,” Richard Collins said on behalf of his family. “It is my desire that we all take with us the spirit of adding daily to the stock of our moral courage.” Dawn Collins spoke directly to her son, adding, “I promised you that I would ensure that the world will know your name. This is only the beginning.”
To honor Collins’ memory, the University of Maryland partnered with Bowie State University in 2020 to form the BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance. Through the alliance, the two institutions are creating new opportunities to learn about and foster social justice. Faculty and staff with relevant research experience are working to integrate social justice principles and concepts on and between campuses. Rashawn Ray, UMD sociology professor and co-leader of the BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance, opened the event.
UMD has also created a scholarship in Collins’ name, with special consideration for ROTC students.
“Dedication of this plaza at the University of Maryland is truly a milestone moment honoring the legacy of our fallen Bowie State University Bulldog,” said BSU President Aminta H. Breaux. “We look forward to a similar dedication at BSU when a learning enclave featuring his image is unveiled as inspiration to students and ROTC cadets in our newest building under construction. Together our campuses press on, with leadership from our joint Social Justice Alliance, to combat hate, social injustice and violence.”
Advancing and advocating for social justice was a key theme throughout the event, emphasized in remarks by Nadia Aziz, senior program director at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights; Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Melissa Miller, attorney with Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., P.A.; and Wes Moore, an author, entrepreneur and veteran.
Additional distinguished speakers addressed extinguishing hate in all forms, including Meredith Weisel, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League; Melvina Ford, interim chief legal officer of the Southern Poverty Law Center; and Susan Bro, co-founder, president and board chair of the Heather Heyer Foundation.
Dignitaries and leaders speaking at the event also included Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; Yvette Bourcicot, acting assistant secretary of the Army; U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown; and U.S. Rep. and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza is located near Montgomery and Annapolis halls, overlooking the bus stop where he was killed, and it is designed to provide a sense of calm and reflection. The space is modern in design, incorporating materials that match the historic architecture of the campus core. The plaza includes two walls, one featuring a laser-engraved granite plaque honoring Collins, and a fountain at the base. The second wall sends a message of hope through a replica of the Unity Mural. UMD and Bowie State students, faculty and staff created the artwork together to visually illustrate peace, justice and unity and debuted it at The Clarice’s 2017 NextNOW Fest at UMD.
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