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President Coker emphasizes interconnectedness in wake of recent tragedies

May 26, 2022

The following is a letter, titled “Reflection on recent tragedies,” emailed May 26, 2022, to the campus community from Maryville College President Dr. Bryan F. Coker.

To the MC Community,

Sometimes words don’t come easily for me. Words didn’t come easily following the recent mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store, and they’re not coming easily now, following Tuesday’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Too much hate. Too many shootings. Too much carnage. Too many deaths. Too many statements and condolences. Too many calls for change. Too many empty promises. I’m reminded of those words which appear frequently in the Bible, “How long, Lord…?”

I do not believe there is any singular solution to these tragedies which are taking our children and our neighbors. I believe the answers are numerous, but certainly include the regulation of assault weapons, improvements in mental health care, better security measures, and in the case of the Buffalo tragedy, the absolute condemnation of racism and white supremacy.

In the midst of my own angst over these tragedies, I’m called to remember the lives lost and all those who have been left to grieve. May the love and peace which surpasses all understanding surround those who are hurting and broken.

I was particularly struck by the words of Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, in response to Tuesday’s tragedy:

“God of righteousness, you have granted our leaders, our president, the governor, members of Congress, the courts and legislatures power and responsibility to protect us and to uphold our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness … Strengthen their devotion and our devotion to our common life, to find clarity of purpose for all.”

May we each recognize our “common life” and inherent connectedness to one another, and may we all work, as set forth in the College’s Statement of Purpose, “to nurture the deep concern for persons that leads to constructive action.”

In hope and prayer for a better tomorrow,

Bryan F. Coker, Ph.D. President

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”