April 24, 2019

Dear Members of the Drexel Community:

I am deeply saddened and appalled by the death and injury resulting from the bombings on Easter Sunday at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Our prayers and sympathies go out to the hundreds of victims, families and the broader Asian community impacted by these despicable, hate-filled acts of violence.

Included in our thoughts are students, alumni and their families with ties to the region; among them, 18 Drexel students from Sri Lanka. We stand ready to assist Drexel students in any way possible. The resources of our Counseling Center are available to all students at any time and for any reason, including those seeking support after this tragedy. Drexel's Office of Spiritual and Religious Life is also available to all members of the University community — contact information is available on the Student Life website.

The heinous acts of terrorists are an affront to each of us trying to live out values of caring and acceptance and inclusivity. In the face of such evil, which we also saw perpetrated in the New Zealand mosque attacks just last month, we must as a community support one another and stand together against hate.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President