Members of the Viterbo Community:

We share the deep sorrow at the recent killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. We pray for his family, the family of Ahmaud Arbery and everyone affected by hate and discrimination. While we all feel despair at tragic events like this, as a community we need to be compassionate, supportive, and inclusive as we work together to actively address discrimination and promote systematic change that eliminates injustice.

As a Catholic Franciscan community that celebrates the dignity of every human person and strives for an inclusive and hospitable environment we affirm that racism should have been eliminated long ago. Mark 12:31 tells us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we are to heal our societal divisions, we must put these words into practice.  Now is the time to truly embrace our Franciscan values of hospitality, inclusion, and service.

At Viterbo University, we recognize the goodness developed through a diverse community of learners and the power of a collective commitment to build the common good. Our mission of preparing students for ethical leadership and faithful service calls us to continue to educate our students with these values, inspire them to work for social justice and prepare future leaders who will help change our world. We are committed to this focus as an institution, and it will be evident in our courses, our programming and our engagement in the community.

We are challenged in this time of social distancing to come together in the immediate to grieve together for these deaths, to work together to build our communities, and to support each other during this period of pain, confusion and anger. I encourage the students who need additional support in these challenging times to seek support from the Counseling Center, the Director of Intercultural and International Student Success or Campus Ministry. Faculty and staff may also contact the Employee Assistance Program in these challenging times.  

Praying for justice and peace,

Glena Temple, President

Tracy Stewart, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Rick Trietley, Vice President for Student Affairs

Fr. Conrad Targonski, Chaplain