To the LR community,

Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed unrest and anger following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmoud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. These acts have resulted in protests and demonstrations across the country and have clearly shown the intolerable racism and inequality that continues to exist in our country and affects our students, faculty and staff both overtly and insidiously.

As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, we stand with those who work every day to end racism and white supremacy and with those who work to create social change. Education is a powerful force to eradicate racism and inequality and our mission to prepare graduates for purposeful lives and service has never been more important.

There is much work to be done as a nation, and we at Lenoir-Rhyne will continue to work to create a community of trust, equality and love. We must—and will—do more.

Fred Whitt
President