Message from President Cavalier to the KU Community

Dear KU Campus Community,

We pause today to reflect on the thousands of lives lost 24 years ago during the 9/11 attacks.  On that day, people going about their normal lives were killed in horrific acts of violence.  First responders acted with unfathomable bravery to try to save the lives of those in the Twin Towers in New York City and beyond. Many of them lost their lives in doing so.  September 11, 2001, was a dark day in our national history and we should never forget it.  But amid the pain and suffering experienced that day and in the aftermath, 9/11 also brought out the finest, most honorable qualities of thousands of human beings who helped and cared for one another.  We should always remember that as well.

I also condemn the murder yesterday of a guest speaker who was invited to a university campus to express his views with students and others.  We join the citizens across our country in expressing our deepest sympathies to his family.  This is a moment, once again, when each of us has the opportunity to exhibit our greatest human qualities as caring, empathetic people.  I urge us all, as members of a community of learners, to respond to this event with compassionate hearts and minds.

Kutztown University is, and will continue to be, a caring campus community.  We value and support all our students and strive to ensure that every single student feels like they genuinely and profoundly belong to this community.  Our campus is a place where all viewpoints can be shared in a safe and peaceful way.  

Many of the members of our community are struggling with the graphic images from 9/11 and yesterday.  Kutztown University has excellent resources to assist our students and employees.  I encourage you to reach out if you need assistance.  The KU Counseling Center is available for students at Beck Hall or 610-683-4072. Employees are encouraged to contact our State Employee Assistance Program (SEAP) at 1-800-692-7459.

We will always be confronted with tragedies as a community.  How we respond will be the measure of the strength and compassion of our community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Phil Cavalier
President

Kutztown University