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Wil Haygood

"Wil Haygood helps us illuminate important moments and movements in American history and provides important perspective to continue our progress in the years to come." - Miami President Greg Crawford

Wil Haygood: Accomplished Journalist, Award-Winning Author, and Distinguished Alumni

In The News
War Within a War. The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home byWil Haygood

Miami University Presents An Evening with Wil Haygood: Commemorating 60 years of the Vietnam War and the national launch of his new book, “The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home”

Join us on Feb. 17 for a conversation with Miami alum and author Wil Haygood, his editor, Peter Gethers, along with Dorothy Harris, and Dr. Elbert Nelson to learn about Haygood’s new book, which explores the connection between the Vietnam War, democracy, and the civil rights revolution. A complimentary signed book will be provided.

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wil haygood speech at freedom summer event

Miami University to receive Wil Haygood Collection

During his acceptance remarks that included him sharing his career journey and acknowledging those who’ve inspired him along the way, Haygood announced that the Wil Haygood Collection, which contains thousands of items and documents from his storied career, will be given to his alma mater.

Freedom Summer

freedom summer memorial signHaygood, along with author and fellow alumnus Jeff Pegues, held a public conversation in the fall of 2017 through the lens of Freedom Summer, a marker year in U.S. civil rights and one with a particular connection to Oxford.

The conversation is the first in what will be a series exploring the lasting effects of Freedom Summer, 1964, when about 800 volunteers converged for training at the Western College for Women — now Miami's Western campus — before traveling south to register black voters.

At that spot where the training happened, an outdoor monument was dedicated in 2000. It also honors three of the civil rights workers who lost their lives during that movement. For more information on Miami's role in Freedom Summer and how it permanently affected the fabric of this university.

In November 2019, Miami alumni and others who participated in Freedom Summer gathered at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati to talk about the experience, as well as lessons to address voting rights and social inequality today. 

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