UC Clermont's David Fankhauser Inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame

David Fankhauser was inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame on Oct. 2 in the Ohio Statehouse. Fankhauser was celebrated along with nine other honorees at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s 2014 Hall of Fame Ceremony. Members of the commission recognized lifetime achievements of honorees.

Three Freedom Riders from Ohio — Frances L. Wilson Canty, Betty Daniels Rosemond and Fankhauser — made the Hall of Fame for risking their lives in 1961 to raise awareness and challenge Southern transportation segregation laws. They were champions of the 1947 U.S. Supreme Court ruling outlawing racial segregation of interstate travel.

“Dr. Fankhauser demonstrated extraordinary courage as young white student who traveled to the South in a Freedom Ride and was placed in jail along with other freedom fighters for standing up against Jim Crow," said Leonard Hubert, chair of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. "We are a better nation today because of the contribution of citizens like Dr. Fankhauser.”

“I am grateful for this honor of my Freedom Rider activity 50 years ago as a 19-year-old," Fankhauser said. "It is gratifying to see what progress we have made in those intervening five decades. When we overflowed the jails in Jackson, Miss., we were moved to the Parchman State Penitentiary. The best consequence of this move to the penitentiary was that black and white riders were for the first time housed in the same cell block, and we could sing together. I like to say that the black riders taught us 'white boys' how to sing!

"It is significant that our freedom songs are direct descendants of spirituals sung by slaves as they dreamed of escape from oppression to their glorious freedom. Sing out we did! Much as they must have done for those in slavery, these songs sustained our spirits, redoubled our dedication and bound us together in hope for a better future.” He also noted that society has far to go for real racial and economic justice.

The Civil Rights Hall of Fame seeks to acknowledge the citizens who have left their mark in the State of Ohio through their tireless efforts in furthering civil and human rights in their communities. These distinguished individuals have served as beacons making significant strides in support of civil and human rights. Through their exemplary leadership they have helped to climate barriers to equal opportunity in this great state as well as foster cultural awareness and understanding for a more just society.

Fankhauser’s mug shot from his arrest and his story were featured in the book Breach of Peace by Eric Etheridge in 2008 (http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=8796).

Fankhauser is a professor of biology and chemistry at UC Clermont where he has taught for 42 years.