# @oberlincollege on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C928F4VsrW1
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/26215665-oberlincollege-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/cde80973c2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-07-25T20:04:37.000+00:00

## Caption

Today, July 25, 2024, we’re proud to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Boyer Vashon, Class of 1844, the first Black graduate of Oberlin College. A prominent educator, writer, and abolitionist, he was the first Black lawyer in the state of New York and a founder of (and the first Black professor at) Howard University. Vashon also contributed to Frederick Douglass’s The North Star and was the corresponding secretary and a speaker at notable anti-slavery conventions.

During May's Commencement Weekend, Oberlin honored Vashon’s historic ties to the college by planting an elm tree in Tappan Square. At the dedication ceremony, Vashon’s great-great grandson, Paul Thornell, gave remarks, as did Oberlin President Carmen Twillie Ambar and A.G. Miller, emeritus professor of religion and Africana studies.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 656
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## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| oberlincollege | @oberlincollege | https://gondola.cc/oberlincollege | University |
| Dae Williams | @daeqwill | https://gondola.cc/daeqwill | Social Media Strategist |

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