UT regents to consider renaming dorm named in 1950s for former law professor and KKK leader

Texas dorm named for KKK leader may be renamed

AUSTIN, Texas — The board that oversees the University of Texas is being asked to strip the name of a former law school professor from one of its dorms.

Simkins Hall is named after William Steward Simkins. He helped organize the KKK in Florida after the Civil War and spoke often about committing violence against black Americans. He taught at UT from 1899 until his death in 1929.

The dorm was built in the 1950s.

After hearing from an advisory committee, UT President William Powers has decided to propose the dorm be renamed Creekside Dormitory. He’ll make the proposal at Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Regents.