The Rev. Will Campbell was fired in 1956 as the University of Mississippi\u2019s director of religious life for speaking against the segregationist standards common to the time.<\/p>\n
On Friday, the University honored him posthumously by naming a gathering space near Paris-Yates Chapel \u201cthe Rev. Will Davis Campbell Plaza.\u201d\u009d The dedication, which attracted leaders such as former Gov. William Winter and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, was part of the university\u2019s Racial Reconciliation Week.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one has had more influence on me as a person and as a leader,\u201d\u009d said Dr. Dan Jones, whose \u201cvery personal remarks\u201d\u009d about his late friend marked his last official duty as the university\u2019s chancellor. He noted the inscription, \u201cFor Dan, my friend, my chancellor,\u201d\u009d on his copy of Campbell\u2019s book \u201cBrother to a Dragonfly,\u201d\u009d which he called \u201cmy favorite commentary on scripture.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n