Like many of you, I watched Wednesday’s attack on our democracy with great disbelief and a heavy, heavy heart. These feelings plague me today, and will likely continue in the days ahead. As President of Nebraska Wesleyan University, I feel it is my obligation to speak clearly and directly to you about Wednesday’s events.
Nebraska Wesleyan was founded in 1887 and throughout our history we have been blessed by and grounded in the distinct and unfaltering democracy of the United States. It’s a democracy governed for the people, by the people and protects the freedoms we all enjoy so dearly.
We join others around the nation – from both parties – and around the world in condemning the violent attack on Congress, our democratic election, the peaceful transition of power and our Constitution. This was NOT a democratic protest but rather a riot or an insurrection. Others have even characterized it as a traitorous event and an attempted coup d’état.
Our students’ education is rooted in critical thinking, analysis of evidence and information literacy to discern legitimate information and facts.It is our responsibility to nurture growth of the whole person — to expand students’ intellectual skills AND broaden their perspective on humanity. That’s what our campus constituents expect of us.
We take great pride in our ability to transform lives at Nebraska Wesleyan and prepare students for the multi-faceted experiences that are ahead of them. Clearly, our mission is more critical now than ever, as we do our part to develop citizens of this nation who can act with conviction that is based on truth, justice and verifiable evidence in our participation in democracy and defense of the Constitution.
As our 32nd President, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
I hope you will join me in condemning the individuals involved in Wednesday’s attack on the Capitol, and I ask you to join me in prayer for the healing and return to a civil and functional democracy where trust and decency reign.
With Love and Hope,
President Darrin Good