October 27, 2020

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

As fellow citizens of West Philadelphia, we mourn the loss of Walter Wallace, Jr. as a result of a police shooting yesterday. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time. The names and particular details of these cases may change, but we know that every such violent death is a tragedy.

As the investigation of this case goes forward, we know that the path to substantive change is through peaceful protest and a collective commitment to systemic improvement. So, I also join with our civic and community leaders in calling for an end to further violence of any kind.

There have already been too many deaths of too many people, too much injury and too much pain, both here in Philadelphia and around our nation. In the face of the anger, frustration and fear many rightly feel, I hope we can find the ways to support one another in the caring spirit of community that sustains us as a university.

We understand that experiencing or witnessing violence can have a direct impact on mental well-being. To talk to someone from the Student Counseling Center, email counseling@drexel.edu. The Counseling Center also has resources for coping with discrimination, hate and violence on its website. In addition, Drexel is committed to providing care for our faculty and professional staff coping with discrimination, hate and violence. To talk to someone from the Employee Assistance Program, call 888.628.4824.

My hope is that we emerge from this latest tragedy with a shared recommitment to creating a just, safe and inclusive Philadelphia for everyone. I know we have much work yet to do together.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President