The McMullan/O'Connor Fund Makes Summer 2027 Journey to Justice Possible

A $30,000 gift will provide 15–20 high school students with an immersive civil rights education experience in the American South.

Thanks to the generosity of the McMullan/O'Connor Fund, another generation of young people will have the opportunity to encounter the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the places where it unfolded. The Summer 2027 Journey to Justice program will take students to historic sites, museums, and memorials across the South, where they will explore the struggle for civil rights, learn from those who preserve its history, and reflect on what that history asks of us today.

The gift reflects a shared commitment to educating young people about civil rights, the importance of voting, and their own roles in the ongoing work of justice.

About Margaret McMullan and Patrick O'Connor

The McMullan/O'Connor Fund was established by Margaret McMullan, an award-winning author and former University of Evansville professor, and Patrick O'Connor, an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

McMullan, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and Fulbright Scholar, has explored history, memory, and questions of justice through her writing and teaching. O'Connor's documentary Look Away, Look Away examines the struggle to remove Confederate symbolism from Mississippi's state flag.

Their work reflects a shared commitment to examining history, confronting difficult questions, and understanding how the past continues to shape the present.

In announcing their support, McMullan wrote:

"Now, more than ever, it's crucial that students learn about Civil Rights and the importance of voting."

Investing in the Next Generation

Journey to Justice brings history to life through immersive educational experiences in places central to the Civil Rights Movement, including Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, Jackson, and Memphis.

The program invites young people to encounter difficult histories, learn from those who preserve the memory of the movement, and consider their own responsibilities in the continuing struggle for justice.

The McMullan/O'Connor Fund's generosity makes this experience possible for an entire cohort of high school students in 2027.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Margaret McMullan and Patrick O'Connor for their extraordinary generosity and for investing in the next generation.