In 1919, Paul Robeson graduated from Rutgers University as valedictorian and the only Black student of his class. Over the past century, Rutgers has honored Robeson through several dedications and memorial celebrations. On October 19, Rutgers unveiled their latest dedication – a new mural at the football stadium.
Painted by Rutgers alumnus Alonzo Adams, Robeson’s mural is displayed on a wall behind the student section in Rutger’s SHI Stadium. It is a reproduction of a painting Adams made in the 1980s that currently hangs in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center on the Rutgers University-Busch campus.
Born in 1898 in Princeton, New Jersey, Robeson was the son of William Drew Robeson, who escaped slavery as a teenager. In 1915, Robeson earned an academic scholarship to Rutgers, making him the third African American student to enroll at the university and the only Black student in his class. While he was a student, Robeson played varsity football for four seasons, ultimately going on to play professionally in the National Football League for three years to fund his law school education at Columbia University. After a few years as a practicing lawyer, Robeson went on to have a successful career as an actor, vocalist, and activist. He passed away in 1976.
In 2019, Rutgers University celebrated the 100th anniversary of Robeson’s graduation and established the Paul Robeson Plaza on the College Avenue Campus. More information on his legacy at Rutgers can be accessed here.
