Liberal arts college drops prof’s name from campus hall after grave dig controversy

Swarthmore College, a liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania, has removed the name of former biology professor Spencer Trotter from a campus building and adjacent lawn following revelations about his involvement in excavating a Native American burial site and promoting racial hierarchies. The building, known as Trotter Hall since 1937, is now temporarily called "Old Science Hall" as the college undertakes a process to select a new permanent name. This decision comes after a more than two-year investigation prompted by a 2022 report detailing Trotter’s removal of human remains from a Lenape burial site in 1899, which the college now condemns as unethical. The college’s president, Val Smith, issued an apology acknowledging that the remains "should never have been removed from their burial site" and described Trotter’s actions as "inexcusable," despite such practices being more common in that era. A faculty-led task force including students and staff has been reviewing historical records and community input to recommend a new name by May 2026, with final approval expected from the Board of Managers. The college has been unable to determine the current whereabouts of the remains once displayed on campus. The removal of Trotter’s name has sparked debate among alumni and community members, with some criticizing the move as revisionist and arguing it risks erasing history rather than confronting it. Others support the change, viewing it as a necessary acknowledgment of past harms and a step toward greater respect for Native American communities. History professor and task force member Bob Weinberg emphasized that reassessing historical figures is a vital part of academic inquiry and institutional growth. This controversy reflects broader national conversations about how institutions address historical injustices linked to their legacies. Swarthmore’s careful, inclusive approach to renaming highlights the challenges colleges face in balancing historical preservation with evolving ethical standards and community values.