Courtesy The University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Bertie Backus Campus has been renamed the University of the District of Columbia Lamond-Riggs Campus. The University Board of Trustees approved the change on April 25, 2023, to recognize the historic neighborhood while aligning the UDC Campus’s name with the site.
Located at 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE, in the Riggs Park neighborhood, the Lamond-Riggs Campus is home to the UDC Community College (UDC-CC), with over 1,450 registered students as of spring 2023. The building located on the Campus will retain the Bertie Backus name to maintain the historical significance of the building to the community.
“Renaming the Bertie Backus Campus as the University of the District of Columbia Lamond-Riggs Campus perfectly aligns with our goals of being a part of and honoring this historical community,” said UDC President Ronald Mason Jr. “Although the name has changed, our goal of providing an accessible community hub for quality education remains the same.”
UDC-CC serves students pursuing associate degrees or certificates, which include law enforcement, information technology, engineering sciences and accredited programs, such as nursing, mortuary science, respiratory therapy, and aviation maintenance technology. Students who apply to the Community College are admitted on an open admissions basis. The UDC-CC at the Lamond-Riggs Campus is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and closed on Sunday.
“The renaming can create a stronger sense of connection between the College and its community and continue to build trust and goodwill,” said Dean of the UDC-CC Marilyn Hamilton. “We are increasing the visibility and accessibility of the College to the residents of the neighborhood and those surrounding it. Moreover, this helps reinforce the College’s role as a vital institution that is part of the larger system of public higher education that makes up the University of the District of Columbia.”
Over the next few weeks, modifications will be made to signage and promotional materials to reflect the name change of the Campus.
