Roberson Project Mission

We seek to gather and give a more complete historical account of this university, the town of Sewanee, and all its people — one that sheds light on how slavery and its legacies have marked our history and that acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices of all who have shaped Sewanee’s past and present. 

Roberson Project Vision

We undertake this mission to foster a more inclusive Sewanee community defined by justice and equity and a commitment to live according to the vision of collective harmony, truthfulness, and mutual respect expressed in our motto Ecce Quam Bonum.

Roberson Project Objectives

  1. RESEARCH: To conduct comprehensive, professional research into the history of slavery, race, and racial injustice in connection with the University of the South and to publish the research;

  2. CURRICULUM: To contribute, through its investigations and development of courses, to the curricula of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Theology and to establish research opportunities for the university’s students;
  3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: To develop programming that engages local communities, especially African Americans and their descendants, in the production and preservation of their history in Sewanee;
  4. RECONCILIATION: To address the actions that Sewanee’s history obligates us to pursue in order to encourage a more equitable, inclusive, and cohesive university community. 

Research Summary

Compiled, in part, to give historical context to the Sept. 8 statement by the Board of Regents, this research summary provides an overview on the history of slavery and race at the University of the South and in the community of Sewanee.

Houston Roberson

Learn more about Professor Houston Roberson for whom the Project is named.

Why Sewanee?

Read about Sewanee's distinctive history and why that compels our work.