Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s medical school won a “diversity award” Thursday, just weeks after being embroiled in a massive yearbook scandal.
Eastern Virginia Medical School was granted the award by the National Association of Diversity Officers In Higher Education a few weeks ago, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, but school president Richard Homan was asked by the association to not announce the presentation. He instead picked up the award at a conference in Philadelphia last week. (RELATED: Yearbook Page Of Democratic Gov. Northam Features Blackface, KKK Robe)
Northam was pressured to resign after it was revealed that he allegedly appeared in the school’s yearbook either in blackface, or wearing a KKK robe. The sitting governor wasn’t the only person in the yearbook to dress in racially provocative attire. The school shuttered its yearbook after Confederate clothing appeared as recently as in the 2013 edition.
Northam first apologized for appearing in the picture, but then recanted the next day, adding that he did, in fact, appear in blackface, but he was not in that picture. His performance was part of a dance contest where he darkened his face to appear more like Michael Jackson.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring first condemned Northam and then announced that he too had appeared in blackface in public. Herring confessed to darkening his face in order to dress up as a rapper when he was 19 years old.
“It is no longer possible for Governor Northam to lead our Commonwealth and it is time for him to step down,” Herring said in February. “I have spoken with Lieutenant Governor Fairfax and assured him that, should he ascend to the governorship, he will have my complete support and commitment to ensuring his success and the success of our Commonwealth.”