February 12, 2021
Dear Friends,
Peace and blessings to all who love and care for Sewanee!
On Sunday evening, our Vice-Chancellor addressed those present in All Saints’ Chapel and via livestream as the first speaker for this term’s “Growing In Grace” series. The theme for the series is “Break The Bad, Cheer The Sad.” Vice-Chancellor Brigety’s address was recorded, and a link is listed below. As you can hear for yourself, he spoke generally of the wonderful and warm welcome that his family has received as they have joined our Sewanee community. He also spoke of acts of vandalism and intimidation that he and his family have experienced at their home in Chen Hall. I will leave further description of these events to our Vice-Chancellor’s own words.
Such acts of violence have no place at the University of the South. No one who is a member of this community should ever feel threatened, physically, via social media, or in any other way. Today, in my role as Chancellor, I write to condemn any and all expressions of violence and hatred at Sewanee and demand that any who have participated in acts of vandalism and intimidation against Chen Hall and the Brigety family cease and desist immediately.
Please be assured that our Vice-Chancellor has the full support of the Trustees and Regents of this University. Since Ambassador Brigety’s arrival at Sewanee, members of the Board of Regents have worked to ensure the safety and security of our Vice-Chancellor and his family. Under the leadership of their Board Chair, Reid Funston, the Regents will continue to take all appropriate steps to make Chen Hall a safe and comfortable home for the Brigety family, and to protect the safety of all members of the Sewanee community.
As you listen to the address that our Vice-Chancellor offered from All Saints' Chapel, you will hear his invitation to reflect seriously on “who we are” as a university community. Yesterday, our Vice-Chancellor’s Cabinet invited those on campus to gather for the purpose of reflecting on his words and to begin to frame a response. Living in EQB requires each member of the community to be intentional about creating relationships that are good and pleasant and in which all can live together in unity. I pray that those of us who love Sewanee will continue to embrace these ideals and grow more fully into living them.
Yours in love,