News Releases

In observance of Juneteenth

  • June 19, 2020

Dear colleagues and students, 

On June 19, 1865, emancipation for more than 250,000 enslaved people in Texas became a reality when Major Gen. Gordon Granger and his 1,800 troops arrived to deliver the news, two months after the Civil War ended in a Union victory. When Gen. Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation, I can only imagine the emotions of the formerly enslaved people who knew nothing but a life of bondage. The news reverberated and freed people in the deepest reaches of the South.

Though the promise of equality remains unrealized, I believe we have hit a tipping point and none of us can remain outside of this fight for equality – for all people – and none may remain silent.

We will work together to build a safer, surer Regis University. Learn more about what Regis has done and plans to do more of at our Community Forum on Race and Justice. We’ll keep you informed during emails, too.

For today, on Juneteenth, let us each take a moment to remember and honor the people who were freed. Please take a moment – or take 8 minutes, 46 seconds – in prayer. I assure you the Board of Trustees, who are meeting with me this week, are doing so together today.

As the University continues to wrestle with how to tackle systemic racism here and in the nation at large, I again invite you to share your thoughts, your dreams and your proposed actions. Please do so by emailing diversity@regis.edu.

If we do this work together, we will not fail.

Prayerfully,

Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
President

 

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