{"id":9858,"date":"2021-10-29T15:55:54","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T19:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=9858"},"modified":"2021-11-10T11:21:19","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T16:21:19","slug":"remembering-a-linwood-holton-jr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=9858","title":{"rendered":"Remembering A. Linwood Holton, Jr."},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Governor<\/a>

Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr., signing H-210, the bill which separated George Mason College from its parent institution, University of Virginia on April 7, 1972 at his office in Richmond. From left to right are: Student Government President, James Corrigan, Governor Holton, Chancellor Lorin Thompson, Fairfax Mayor, John Wood, and Student Senator, Ann O’Grady.\u00a0 George Mason University Photograph Collection #R0120. George Mason University Libraries.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

On Friday April 7, 1972, a group from George Mason College, led by Chancellor Lorin A. Thompson, met with Virginia Governor, A. Linwood Holton, Jr. at his office in Richmond. They were there to witness the Governor\u2019s signing into law Virginia General Assembly Bill H 210 separating George Mason College from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. With the stroke of a pen George Mason University, as we know it today, was born. During that brief afternoon ceremony Thompson, George Mason College Dean, Robert Krug, Virginia Delegate, James Thomson, and members of George Mason\u2019s Advisory Board and Student Government proudly looked on as Governor Holton signed one of the most important documents in the history of the young institution.<\/p>\n

Serving in office from 1970 to 1974, Governor Holton was the first Republican elected Virginia Governor since Reconstruction. His election was one of the last nails in the coffin of the segregationist Byrd Political Machine, which had dominated Virginia politics since the turn of the century.\u00a0 During the fall of 1970, Holton made national headlines by enrolling his young children in Richmond’s integrated public school system instead of a private school (where they would not be exposed to children from low-income families or children of color).<\/p>\n

Just eight months after that day in April of 1972 Governor Holton chose the new George Mason University to host his regional Governor’s Conference for the Northern Virginia area. At the time, Mason did not have an appropriate conference facility suitable for welcoming the nearly one-thousand guests, so the event was held in the brand-new George Mason basketball gym. Northern Virginia residents,\u00a0 business leaders, and constituents from all walks of life packed the bleachers for an opportunity to share their thoughts with the Governor.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

A Linwood Holton, Jr. and members of his cabinet at the Governor’s Conference, George Mason University, December 6, 1972. George Mason University photograph collection, #R0120, Box 2, Folder 31. George Mason University Libraries.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

We got the chance to meet Governor Holton in November of 2016. He was kind enough to give us an oral history interview. We travelled out to his home in Irvington, Virginia, just a few minutes away from the Chesapeake Bay. Governor Holton was a gracious host, and he answered our questions with a folksy humility rarely seen with a politician. He spoke about growing up in Southwestern Virginia, getting involved in politics, and his family. He told us a humorous story about campaigning for Governor in a crowded department store in Arlington, shaking hands with everyone and introducing himself, saying, “Hi, I’m Linwood Holton, and I’m running for Governor”. The story ends with him turning around and introducing himself to someone who does not respond, and he realizes that he just held out his hand and introduced himself to a mannequin.\u00a0 He also told us that, as Governor, he was very proud of what George Mason had accomplished. It was a pleasure to speak to someone so kind and generous with their time about that early era in our history.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr. during an oral history interview with the George Mason University Oral History Program, November 15, 2016 in Irvington, Virginia.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Governor Holton passed away on Thursday, October 28 at his home in Irvington.\u00a0 Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was a very special person and an important part of George Mason’s, and Virginia’s, history.<\/p>\n

You will be missed, Governor Holton!<\/p>\n

Follow SCRC on Social Media and look out for future posts on our\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0accounts. \u00a0To search the collections\u00a0held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail\u00a0us at\u00a0speccoll@gmu.edu<\/a>\u00a0or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Friday April 7, 1972, a group from George Mason College, led by Chancellor Lorin A. Thompson, met with Virginia Governor, A. Linwood Holton, Jr. at his office in Richmond. They were there to witness the Governor\u2019s signing into law Virginia General Assembly Bill H 210 separating George Mason College from the University of Virginia […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":9865,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[529,104,94,339],"tags":[896,211,139],"class_list":["post-9858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-george-mason-university-history","category-oral-history","category-university-archives","category-virginia-2","tag-a-linwood-holton-jr","tag-george-mason-university","tag-virginia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Holton_gov_conf-scaled.jpg?fit=2060%2C2560&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Ep5i-2z0","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10208,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10208","url_meta":{"origin":9858,"position":0},"title":"George Mason University Becomes Independent, April 7, 1972","author":"Bob Vay","date":"August 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This post is part of a four-part series detailing the history of George Mason University from the student perspective. Our initial post,\u00a0Before We Became George Mason University: Our First Campus at Bailey\u2019s Crossroads, can be read here:\u00a0https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10138 and Establishing our Identity: George Mason's Fairfax Campus, can be read here: https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10152\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7256,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=7256","url_meta":{"origin":9858,"position":1},"title":"The “Desegregation” of George Mason University","author":"Bob Vay","date":"February 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Today George Mason University enjoys the reputation for being one of the more ethnically and culturally-varied universities in the nation. By most counts, the non-white student population at Mason is about 57%*. The university places a high priority on being accessible to those who aspire to a college education from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "George Mason University History"","block_context":{"text":"George Mason University History","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=529"},"img":{"alt_text":"Page from 1966 GMC yearbook, The Advocate.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/1966-Advocate-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10061,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10061","url_meta":{"origin":9858,"position":2},"title":"We Are Mason: A Student History","author":"Bob Vay","date":"March 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Our university celebrates its 50th Anniversary as an independent institution this year. The above photograph is the only one from that day known to exist. It was most likely taken by a George Mason University (GMU) employee in a department housed in the North Building (today known as Finley) called\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/R0135_25_131_4-16-98_MASONDAY_lite.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/R0135_25_131_4-16-98_MASONDAY_lite.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/R0135_25_131_4-16-98_MASONDAY_lite.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/R0135_25_131_4-16-98_MASONDAY_lite.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/R0135_25_131_4-16-98_MASONDAY_lite.jpg?fit=1200%2C773&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4175,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=4175","url_meta":{"origin":9858,"position":3},"title":"Mason Inaugurations through the Years","author":"Bob Vay","date":"April 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"This past Friday, April 26 2013 marked the inauguration of Mason's sixth president, Dr. \u00c1ngel\u00a0 Cabrera. The event was a ninety-minute celebration of both old and new, both tradition and innovation.\u00a0 Beginning with a staid traditional\u00a0 procession accompanied by an orchestra and choir, the ceremony ended with a rousing recessional\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/cabrera_inauguration.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9173,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=9173","url_meta":{"origin":9858,"position":4},"title":"Presidents Series: 2012 \u2013 2020 – \u00c1ngel Cabrera, Anne Holton, and Looking Forward","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"May 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This post was written by Lana Mason, Processing Student Assistant. Lana has an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Piedmont Virginia Community College. She is currently studying Art History at George Mason University. Lana was the recipient of the University Libraries Student Assistant Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "George Mason University History"","block_context":{"text":"George Mason University History","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=529"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Merten-Hall.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Merten-Hall.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Merten-Hall.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Merten-Hall.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8812,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8812","url_meta":{"origin":9858,"position":5},"title":"Presidents Series: 1966 – 1973 – Lorin A. Thompson","author":"Amanda Menjivar","date":"September 5, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This post was written by Lana Mason, Processing Student Assistant. Lana has an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Piedmont Virginia Community College. She is currently studying Art History at George Mason University. Lana was the recipient of the University Libraries Student Assistant Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "George Mason University History"","block_context":{"text":"George Mason University History","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=529"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Draft001.jpg?fit=919%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Draft001.jpg?fit=919%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Draft001.jpg?fit=919%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Draft001.jpg?fit=919%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9858"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9913,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9858\/revisions\/9913"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}