Ole Miss Chancellor Hosts Community Reflection On Recent Violence

Chancellor Vitter addresses Ole Miss community.

In light of recent violence in the U.S., University of Mississippi’s chancellor asked the Ole Miss community to come together in unity and reflect.

“We all hurt, we all mourn,” said Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter. “We all worry about the safety of our own families, communities, our nation and the world.”

Members of the community gathered in the Paris-Yates Chapel on Thursday, July 22nd at 6 p.m. Everyone was handed a fan and a print out of the university’s creed.

Vitter believes that we can find a solution to our problems through education. He added that community members should reach out to the university’s resources like the Center for Engagement and Cultural Inclusion.

“We must work together, stand together to fight the challenges that we all face together,” Vitter said.

After Vitter’s speech, the community was asked to read the Ole Miss creed aloud and in unison. The creed establishes respect, fairness and civility.

The University of Mississippi’s creed.

The Ole Miss Gospel Choir was asked to sing in front of the community. Their powerful song was followed by assistant provost, Dr. Donald Cole, addressing the crowd. He spoke of the injustice our country has witnessed and the actions we should take to move forward.

The Ole Miss Gospel Choir belts powerful song about children “coming on board.”

“Our fundamental principle of civilized society is its recognition and respect for the sanctity of human life,” Cole said.

The ceremony closed with members of the community hand-in-hand as the Paris-Yates Chapel bells rang 16 times, symbolizing the recent shooting-related deaths in our nation.

Jac Bedrossian is a HottyToddy.com intern. She can be reached at jacbtv@aol.com.

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