UM, Local Communities Responding to Tragedies with Unity Gathering

Responding to recent shootings around the nation, as well as global violence, the University of Mississippi and Oxford-Lafayette County communities will join together Thursday (July 21) for a time of reflection and unity.

The gathering is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in Paris-Yates Chapel. During the brief service, the chapel bells will toll in remembrance of those killed in these violent attacks.

Paris-Yates Chapel will remain open for 30 minutes after the program for reflection, meditation and prayer.

Chancellor Jeff Vitter will provide opening remarks and acknowledge participants from the L-O-U communities.

Following introductions by Sovent Taylor, assistant director of UM’s Health Professions Advising Office, faculty, staff and students from several groups will read sections of the UM Creed. Music will be rendered by the UM Gospel Choir before the ceremony ends.

Ethel Young Scurlock, associate professor of African-American studies and senior fellow at the Luckyday Residential College, will lead prayer in the chapel.

Donald Cole, special assistant to the chancellor for multicultural affairs, will make closing remarks.

“I’m going to feel so much better after this gathering,” Cole said. “I don’t have a solution and you may not have a solution. Nor does any single individual. But collectively, we do and that’s why everyone is needed in this venture and others like it.”

By Edwin Smith and the Ole Miss News Desk

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