The UND Hilyard Center, formerly known as the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center, was renamed in order to pay tribute to one of the University’s most honorable graduates. Hilyard James Duty was UND’s first African American graduate and spent five years at the University prior to his departure in the late 19th century. Despite spending five years at UND, Hilyard was never awarded a degree even though he met all the requirements to do so.
During his time at the University of North Dakota, Hilyard was a member of the track and field team, as well as the football team. Hilyard was a trailblazer of his time. Today, a picture of the UND football team hangs in the Gorecki Alumni Center, with Hilyard James Duty, the only African American man, positioned right in the middle.
It all began with the search to find UND’s first African American graduate. At the time of Hilyard’s attendance, there were very few students of Color, as it was uncommon for a person of Color to attend college at the time. Despite being a part of the minority, Hilyard attended a total of eight years of college: three years at Hamline University, and five at UND. It is only assumed he was not granted a degree due to the state of society at the time, and their view on people of Color, even post Civil War.
This past summer, the University of North Dakota made the decision to retroactively award Duty his degree, giving credit to him and his accomplishments during his time at UND and beyond. To take it a step further, employees at the former UND Student Diversity and Inclusion Center took the initiative to research Duty’s life and accomplishments. To honor him and pay tribute to his legacy, they renamed the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center to the Hilyard Center.
The Hilyard Center functions as a way for students to build connections with one another and make UND a place students want to call home. Whether you attend the Hilyard Center to make friends or to get assistance with the social aspect of college, they are there to help.
Stace Barboa-Peterson prides herself on the fact that “there isn’t anything that we don’t do at The Hilyard Center.” Barboa-Peterson mentioned that she once helped a student to be able to afford college by guiding her to financial help. The Hilyard Center is a place to seek compassion, friendship, and assistance navigating college.
The importance of having the Hilyard Center helps students on UND’s campus but also pays a very important tribute to one of the reputable pioneers in the history of UND, Hilyard James Duty.
Sadie Blace is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
