Virtual Campus Gathering Focused on Unity, Support

With disturbing images of division dominating the news, Dominican University of California held a gathering to allow the campus community to connect, talk, and share thoughts and impressions in a supportive space.

The gathering was hosted on Zoom by President Mary B. Marcy and Vice President Nicola Pitchford on January 7. The event was for faculty, staff, and students. A link was sent via campus email.

“As we all know, community is one of the core Dominican values. We are at our best when we are in community; we are reminded of our common humanity in community; in times of strife we need our community. I believe it is time for Dominican to gather as a community,” President Marcy said.

“We gathered as a University to reaffirm that we have special responsibilities and can make important contributions in times of upheaval and crisis,” said Vice President Pitchford. “We also gathered to affirm that we care for one another. Even though we cannot be together in person, we can still connect with each other as a University community.”

Faculty from various disciplines were invited to share insights and information about why their work as educators is critical during times such as these. The University’s Campus Ministry shared an interfaith reflection. Sister Margaret Diener, O.P., Executive Director of the Santa Sabina Center, was invited to discuss responding to violence from the Dominican tradition.