UAB Cancels Herschell Lee Hamilton Scholarship After Backlash Over Honoree’s Views

BIRMINGHAM, AL — May 28, 2025 The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has canceled the Herschell Lee Hamilton Endowed Scholarship following public backlash over past controversial remarks made by its namesake, Dr. Herschell Hamilton. The scholarship, established to support underrepresented students pursuing careers in health and medicine, was quietly removed from UAB’s scholarship listings earlier this week.

Dr. Hamilton, a prominent African American physician during the civil rights era in Birmingham, was known for treating protestors injured during demonstrations. However, resurfaced public statements and writings—including his views on gender and sexuality—sparked renewed debate on campus over whether he should continue to be honored with an endowed award.

The scholarship, originally established in 2020 with support from UAB donors and alumni, aimed to commemorate Dr. Hamilton’s pioneering medical service in a segregated and often hostile environment. Critics, however, argued that honoring individuals with outdated or exclusionary views undermines the university’s broader commitments to equity and inclusion.

In a statement, UAB emphasized that the decision was part of a broader review of named scholarships and does not diminish Dr. Hamilton’s contributions to civil rights-era healthcare. “We remain committed to honoring Birmingham’s legacy of social justice in a manner consistent with our institutional values today,” the university said.

The removal of the scholarship has drawn mixed responses, with some applauding the university’s decision and others accusing it of historical erasure. The case highlights ongoing tensions in higher education over how to reconcile legacies of activism with evolving cultural standards.

*Sources:
*https://www.herebirmingham.com/uab-cancels-herschell-lee-hamilton-scholarship/