The Student News Site of Northern Michigan University

The North Wind

The North Wind

The North Wind

Letter to the Editor — Presentism at NMU: How a respected professor became a villain

Letter to the Editor — Presentism at NMU: How a respected professor became a villain

Mark D. West August 31, 2022

The NMU Board of Trustees, and now the NMU Foundation, have sullied the memory of Luther S. West, professor emeritus of biology at NMU from 1938 to 1965. Ignoring decades of dedication to academic research,...

CONTROVERSY - Friends and family of Luther West continue to contest NMUs decision to remove his name from what is now called The Science Building. West was discovered to be a proponent of the eugenics movement, both at NMU and previously at Battle Creek College.

Letter to the Editor—Luther West’s grandson speaks out

John West January 21, 2022
During the last 20 years of his life, I got to know my grandfather Luther West very well, and was even his guardian in his last incapacitated years. I also became aware of his reputation. All who knew him liked, admired and respected him.
CONTESTED NAMESAKE-After the NMU Board of Trustees recently voted to remove Luther Wests name from what was previously West Hall, the building has been temporarily dubbed the Science Building.

Letter to the Editor—In support of Luther West

Carl Anderson January 20, 2022
I am writing this letter because I believe that I am one of few people alive who knew West well. I grew up with his youngest son and spent as much time at the West house as my own.
WEST SCIENCE—Luther S. West Science facility connects with the other science building on campus, Kathleen Shingler Weston Hall as part of the Seaborg Science Complex. The two buildings hosts many STEM related departments and classes.

NMU considers name change for West Science after eugenics involvement

Ayanna Allen, Staff Writer November 4, 2021
After a recent discovery on Luther S. West's past with eugenics, NMU has considered changing West Science to be dedicated to someone that fits NMU's core values.
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