The Bobcat family has come together in recent weeks to support each other as we attempt to find meaning and community amid frayed emotions and deep sadness, as traumatic acts of violence, racism and inhumanity continue around us.

The trial of Derek Chauvin and yesterday’s verdict convicting him of the murder of George Floyd only added to the roller coaster of emotions many are feeling — emotions further roiled when we learned of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant’s killing last night by police in Columbus, Ohio.

As President Barack Obama observed yesterday, “Today, a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more.” One of the roles of educational institutions is to confront societal challenges with analysis, exploration of causes and solutions, and to engage constructively to achieve change to these corrosive ills. Many of us are soul searching to understand how and why these horrific incidents occur, and what – individually and collectively – we can and should do to achieve change.

We will hold an open Zoom forum on Monday, April 26, at 7 p.m. to analyze the Chauvin case and the spate of recent violence, with members of our faculty.

Quinnipiac will continue to take actions that promote lasting and community-wide progress to build a more inclusive, welcoming and compassionate community and to nurture in our students and graduates a commitment to contribute to a just society that values all.