FAU Remembers Victims of Orlando Shooting
Florida Atlantic University is remembering the 49 victims and dozens injured in the recent Orlando mass shooting with a series of events at its Boca Raton and Davie campuses.
Florida Atlantic University is remembering the 49 victims and dozens injured in the recent Orlando mass shooting with a series of events at its Boca Raton and Davie campuses. FAU’s Division of Students Affairs, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, and the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights Initiative at FAU organized the events.
Faculty, staff, and students lined up to give blood at two OneBlood bus locations on FAU’s Boca Raton campus. FAU student Cynara Seheuer, 21, decided to give blood for the first time because one of the Orlando victims was from her hometown.
“When I found out that he was from Sarasota and we shared a mutual friend, I decided to give in remembrance of him,” she said.
During the vigil outside of FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, more than 75 people gathered to remember the victims, with vigil bags and posters decorated by students on display. The crowd then participated in a “Real Talk” discussion about the tragedy. Counselors were on-hand for those who needed additional support.
Steven D. Roper, Ph.D., executive director of the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights Initiative moderated "We Are One Pulse," a panel discussion about the tragedy. Panelists included Jane Caputi, Ph.D., professor in the Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Rev. Durrell Watkins, senior pastor at Sunshine Cathedral; Cristobal Salinas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology; and Romaine Patterson, an LGBT activist.
“It is a critical time to advocate for our peers and our students across all backgrounds,” said Salinas. “When we talk about multiculturalism and social justice, that has to include Latinx, the Black community, those of Muslim faiths, and all marginalized groups within the LGBTQ community.”
FAU’s Division of Student Affairs has resources available to any student who may be affected by the tragedy. To contact FAU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, call 561-297-3540, or visit fau.edu/counseling.
-FAU-
Tags: faculty and staff | medicine | alumni | students | student affairs