On Dec. 14, 1960, George “Terrill” Brumback ’62 and James Hunter ’63 joined two students from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and two students from the historically Black Virginia Theological Seminary and College at the segregated lunch counter at Patterson’s Drug Store in downtown Lynchburg.
For this act of protest, the “Patterson Six,” as they would be known, were arrested. Members of the group later pleaded guilty to trespassing and were sentenced to 30 days in jail.
At 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, a plaque honoring the historic sit-in and Brumback and Hunter’s role in it will be unveiled on campus. During the virtual ceremony, which is a part of Westover Alumni Weekend, there will be a video presentation during which members of the University of Lynchburg community will share their memories of the sit-in and its aftereffects.
In addition to Brumback and Hunter, those making recorded remarks will include former dean of students and education professor Dr. Tom Tiller ’56, longtime history professor Dr. Clifton Potter ’62, and civil rights leader and assistant professor of leadership studies Dr. Owen Cardwell.
The event will be livestreamed via Google Meet. Links for all Westover Alumni Weekend events can be found here.
