Slavery & The University Conference

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Emory University hosted the first "Slavery and the University" conference in 2011. For the past 10-15 years, many historians have been researching the roles of slaves in the beginnings of institutes of higher education. From Emory to Princeton, the research shows that slaves were important in the foundation of many schools.

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The Slavery and the University Conference at Emory University ended with a commemoration, reflection and celebration where the story of slavery at Emory began, its original campus at Oxford College. The successful four days brought together nearly 300 people to discuss the role of slavery in the founding of many schools, bringing to light numerous new facts and groundbreaking scholarship. The event also honored Catherine Andrew "Miss Kitty" Boyd, a slave owned by Emory's first Board of Trustee's President, Bishop James Osgood Andrew. Her great-great-great granddaughters received the honors on her behalf.

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Catherine "Miss Kitty" Andrew Boyd, was a slave owned by Emory's board of trustees resident and Methodist Bishop James Andrew. Her ownership directly led to the separation of the Methodist Church into northern and southern branches in 1844 after Andrew refused to let his slaves free.  This split was is a a pivotal prerequisite to the Civil War.