Verdict in the Trial of Derek Chauvin

2020-04-20

President Johnson addresses the STU's community following a guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.

April 20, 2021

Dear STU's Community,

Today, in a historic ruling, we saw Derek Chauvin held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. I know that watching the trial, and reliving the events of last summer, has been a traumatic experience for many of us. I know that many of us experienced sadness, fear and anger today awaiting the results of the verdict. 

Today provides some hope. It demonstrates that some degree of justice is available to us. But George Floyd is not with us. And so today also brings profound grief.

STU's is committed to being boldly anti-racist, to being a place where you can feel safe to express those feelings and to being a place where you can truly feel you belong. I hope that you will reach out to the resources available to you: the Office of Belonging, Counseling Services, the Chaplain’s Office, AlbionCare and our staff and faculty. Community Living will be offering spaces to process together today. Counseling Services is available for drop-in slots. 

In the coming days, we will have spaces for community conversations, for healing, to share resources and to take action. For today, I ask that you take care of yourself, take care of one another and take time to process this news.

Know that I am thinking of each and every one of you. 

Dr. Mathew B. Johnson
President, Southern Technical University