Two new state historical markers--one designating the site of an early school for African Americans in Athens and the other denoting the presence of a Navy preflight school during World War II--will be dedicated on campus.
A marker near where the Union Baptist Institute/Jeruel Academy once stood will be dedicated April 3 at 4 p.m. The location is on UGA’s Baxter Street esplanade, at the intersection of Baxter and Pope streets.
Speakers for the Union Baptist Institute/Jeruel Academy marker ceremony will be state Rep. Keith Heard of Athens; W. Todd Groce, executive director of the Georgia Historical Society; and Howard B. Stroud, chairman of the Union Baptist Institute/Jeruel Preservation Foundation.
Another marker will be dedicated April 11 at 4:30 p.m. near the main entrance of Baldwin Hall, which served as headquarters for the U.S. Navy PreFlight School that operated on the UGA campus from 1942 to 1945.
Speakers for the ceremony dedicating the Pre-Flight School historical marker will include Capt. David C. Ruff, commanding officer of the Navy Supply Corps School, and Roger Smith, director of education and outreach for the Georgia Historical Society.
UGA President Michael F. Adams will preside at both ceremonies, which are open free to the public and are part of UGA’s contribution to the Athens-Clarke County Bicentennial. Receptions will follow both ceremonies.
“As America’s oldest state university, the University of Georgia is very mindful of the importance of recognizing and preserving valuable elements of our past,” says Adams. “These markers will remind future generations of two periods that were extremely significant in the history of Athens and the university.”
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