RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A racist photo from the University of Richmond’s 1980 yearbook emerged online Wednesday night, causing controversy overnight that led to a response from the university’s president the next day.

On a yearbook page labeled “Sigma Alpha Epsilon,” there is a photo of a group of people in Ku Klux Klan robes standing around a black man with a noose around his neck. The man is gripping the noose with his left hand and holding a can in his right.

On Thursday, University of Richmond’s President Ronald A. Crutcher acknowledged the yearbook photo, calling the image “racist” and “repulsive.” The university’s statement was released after the school learned about the racist image being shared on social media. President Crutcher said the photo goes against the university’s values today:

The image that was shared from the yearbook is repulsive to us. Images of this sort, and the behavior and attitudes they represent, are appalling and antithetical to the values of the University today. No one should have to experience the pain caused by such vile images, or evidence of such behavior, either at the time the incident occurs or thereafter.” – Ronald A. Crutcher

The university’s statement comes after two of Virginia’s top elected officials admitted to wearing blackface in the 1980s. First, Gov. Northam admitted in a press conference to wearing blackface while dressing up as Michael Jackson during a 1984 dance contest.

After the governor’s revelation, Attorney General Mark Herring admitted to putting on blackface in college in an attempt to portray the rapper Kurtis Blow.

Both men apologized for their actions but have not yet indicated whether they plan to resign after receiving several calls to do so.

To read the university’s full statement regarding the photo, click here.

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