Division News & Statements
Tragedy in Sri Lanka
April 22, 2019
Dear Campus Community,
Once again violence has invaded a space dedicated to peace and reflection. As an educational institution that seeks to foster values of inclusion and community, we want to offer our heartfelt sympathy and support to the Christian community in the wake of the terrible series of Easter Sunday bombings that targeted churches and hotels in Sri Lanka leaving hundreds dead and even more injured.
As Western Christians now mark the season of Eastertide and Jews commemorate Pesach (Passover), we must remain steadfast in our pursuit of freedom for all, where no person or community is captive to fear, extremist violence, or hate. As we have, unfortunately, had to share time and time again: at Grand Valley we unapologetically educate to interrupt intolerance and address hate when it shows up as acts of intimidation and violence. I am grateful to the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and Campus Interfaith Resources for their continued efforts to bring together religious, spiritual, and secular communities through interfaith education and dialogue.
University resources and support are available through the Division of Inclusion and Equity, Campus Interfaith Resources, and the University Counseling Center (UCC). The UCC is available at (616) 331-3266. Interfaith Services Coordinator, Kevin McIntosh, is available to connect anyone in need of support or resources. Kevin can be reached by phone at (616) 331-3207 or by email at [email protected].
Very respectfully,
Thomas J. Haas, President
Jesse M. Bernal, Vice President for Inclusion and Equity