Today is Spring Fling. It’s also, as you’re aware—and as a February Wespeak made abundantly clear—the first anniversary of the murder of Johanna Justin-Jinich ’10.
At 1:00 pm there will be a memorial ringing of the bells, followed by a moment of silence and remembrance. At the Memorial Chapel, this will be followed by reflections from friends of Johanna. Russel House will be open throughout the afternoon for those who wish to gather, share, and support one another.
After the jump you’ll find some words from President Roth on the occasion, as related in an all-campus email last week:
We continue to work and live as a community, and this year we anticipate our annual May celebration being mindful of this tragedy. We all choose to commemorate, celebrate or grieve in different ways. Some of us prefer privacy, others seek out friends or groups. Some of us will pray or reflect, others will dance and sing. We are providing our community—students, faculty, staff and others—with a variety of options to gather together for remembrance, reflection as well as celebration. We have the freedom to pay our respects and remember in whatever way we choose.
Spring Fling has long marked the end of classes, and it still does. The fact that we have chosen not to abandon that tradition is not a sign of disrespect, but it is a sign that we will not change the culture of our campus because of a senseless act of violence. Spring is here. Let us celebrate, and let us remember.
Yours truly,
Michael S. Roth
President