Swarthmore College Removes Trotter’s Name from Building

A small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania is removing the name of a professor from a campus building after revelations about his involvement in exhuming Native American burial sites and promoting notions of racial superiority.

Swarthmore College, located in suburban Philadelphia, has officially stripped Spencer Trotter’s name from what was Trotter Hall, now temporarily designated as “Old Science Hall” while the search for a permanent name replacement continues. In addition, Trotter’s name has been removed from the lawn adjacent to the building.

This decision follows an investigation by the university that spanned over two years. As reported by the school’s student newspaper, The Phoenix, a 2022 study investigated the excavation of Lenape burial sites, which have since been returned to Native American governance.

The college formed a task force led by faculty and comprised of students and staff to assess records, conduct surveys within the campus community, and submit a final naming recommendation to the chancellor by May 1, 2026, for board approval, as stated by The Phoenix.

The building had been named after Trotter since 1937. Yet, a university investigation indicated that he, a biology professor, had exhumed Lenape graves in 1899, displaying human remains on campus—an act that is now deemed unethical by the university.

While the university has not confirmed what became of the remains Trotter exhibited, President Val Smith acknowledged this troubling history in a preliminary communication to the campus, expressing regret that the remains “should never have been removed” and deeming the action “inexcusable,” even given its historical context.

However, this decision has sparked debates on whether eliminating Trotter’s name amounts to altering history. Concerns were raised during a recent town hall by some alumni and community members, who argued that such a move may be a form of revisionism, as noted by The Phoenix.

Critics claimed that retaining Trotter’s name could help the university confront its past, while supporters believed that the change respectfully acknowledges the harm inflicted through the exhumation of Native remains.

Bob Weinberg, a professor of history and part of the task force, argued that reexamining historical figures is integral to the academic process. He emphasized a desire not to erase history but to acknowledge it and explain the significance of such changes, per the student newspaper.

The task force is currently seeking a new name that reflects the university’s commitment to diversity and has ties to its mission. Chair Kat Norris mentioned some challenges in this vetting process, indicating that historical figures can be quite complex.

Trotter’s teaching career spanned over 30 years, and he faced controversy for his writings, which have been described as promoting “scientific racism.” He claimed that Native Americans did not fully utilize land that was later cultivated by European settlers.

A proposal to rename the building after a Lenape tribe was considered but was ultimately dismissed over concerns it might seem performative without a more substantial context, as suggested by The Phoenix.

Additionally, the university has initiated a comprehensive review of its practices concerning human remains, incorporating new ethical standards for the collection and repatriation of such items, as reported.

The name of the building is expected to be finalized later this year.