Dear Luther Community,
Today on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, I want to acknowledge what a monumental event that was for us here at Luther as well as nationally and even internationally. The past year’s national reckoning with persistent racial inequities and violence, catalyzed by his death as well as by the COVID-19 pandemic, affects us all and calls us to consider how Luther can better fulfill its mission to “embrace diversity and challenge one another to learn in community, to discern our callings, and to serve with distinction for the common good.”
That is why, among many other actions, Luther College joined the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA) last November. Today, I will join a number of Luther faculty and staff who are attending the LACRELA eConvening, “Confronting Explicit Acts of Racism and Racial Violence on Campus.” I am very thankful for the engagement of the Luther community in these important conversations.
As we all reflect on the past year and our response as a community, I invite you to take a moment to consider and talk about your own next steps on our path toward true justice and peace. I also invite faculty and staff to attend future monthly events in the LACRELA eConvening series. Contact Vice President Lisa Scott ([email protected]) or Professor Mark Eichinger ([email protected]), chair of the Council for Equity and Inclusion, if you would like more information about the series.
Sincerely,
President Jenifer K. Ward