Ronald Herd II, whose artist name is Tha Artivist, has painted a dual portrait of two pioneering Washington University administrators, Dean James E. McLeod and Dr. John B. Ervin, titled The Legacy.
In 1968, Dr. Ervin came to Washington University as dean of the School of Continuing Education, becoming the first African American to hold a dean’s position at the university; he passed in 1992. When McLeod passed last year, he was vice chancellor for students at Washington University and
dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Legacy represents the bond and mission shared by two men and the vision that they had for empowering their people through education.
“Although both of these men were known as conservative dressers, their dreams and visions to add ‘color’ and ‘flavor’ to Washington University’s campus was anything but,” Herd said. “This is represented by their loud or brightly colored suits which also represents the school colors of red, white and green.”
Paving a trail for others that followed, their collected efforts ensured that people of color will get proper and qualified representation in both academia and other arenas.
The arch in the painting, Herd said, “represents the gateway to opportunity that a real education provides with both Dean McLeod and Dr. John B. Ervin serving as the pillars or gateway keepers.”
The bird represents “both the freedom of expression and the freedom to pursue both your happiness and purpose.”
The students, both the graduating scholar and the student scholar studying, represent “the living legacies of our heroes.”
“Each one teach one is the key to our educational philosophy and survival, and we all should lend a helping hand to help our fellow travelers get to the ‘Promised Land,’” Herd said.
Although the Ervin and McLeod Scholars programs are open to anyone who is qualified, regardless of race, the Ervin Scholars Program was first started as an initiative to attract more African-American scholars to Washington University.
“However, history has showed when African Americans are granted access and create opportunities for themselves, then everyone in society benefits,” Herd said.
Last fall, a framed print of this painting was presented to Sis. Clara McLeod, the widow of Dean McLeod and one of the early supporters of the art career of Tha Artivist, at the closing reception of Ronald Herd II: The Most Known UnKnown art exhibition at The Nu-Art Series’ Metropolitan Art Gallery.
“Both Dean McLeod and John B. Ervin died in the line of duty while selflessly serving others. They parlayed their successful positions into eternal praise and goodwill,” Herd said.
“To me this proves that what these great men did was more than just a job or a profession, it was a calling that one fully committed to and in some occasions willingly sacrifice one’s life for.”
Limited edition prints of this artwork are available for purchase. Part of the proceeds will benefit the John B. Ervin Scholars and the McLeod Scholars programs. For more information, email the artist at r2c2h2@gmail.com or write to Ronald Herd II, The W.E. A.L.L. B.E. Group, P.O. Box 752062, Memphis, TN 38175.
