Louis Agassiz

Sage Chapel plaque
In memory of Louis Agassiz LL.D. 1807-1873. In the midst of great labors for science throughout the world he aided in laying the foundations of instruction at Cornell University and by his teachings here gave an impulse to scientific studies which remains a precious heritage. The trustees in gratitude for his councils and teachings erect this memorial in 1884

A group of parents and alumni from Agassiz Elementary School is calling for the name to be removed from the Lakeview school because it honors a leading proponent of polygenism — the theory that different races aren’t from the same species.

“The feeling is that this institution that supposedly embraces diversity and is charged with the academic and social/emotional learning of students is excusing away the name of a man who did not feel Blacks even deserved rights,” said Tina Holder King, whose daughter is entering seventh grade at Agassiz. “It’s on that building that they walk through every day, that houses the people who are supposed to have their best interests at heart. There’s a conflict there. I’m not saying they don’t have their best interests at heart, but you can’t have it both ways. You can’t say you do and then allow something like this.”