In the wake of last Thursday's events on campus, I wanted to reach out to you as a member of the Seattle Pacific University alumni community. I know that you likely experienced the same emotions we did as the tragedy unfolded. You are, after all, part of the SPU family.

Many lives have been changed by an act of violence that resulted in the death of one precious SPU student and the injury of two others. Yet another student intervened, without thought to his own safety, to help avert more injuries. There are simply no words to describe the pain we feel about what these students -- and the other students, faculty, and staff in the building -- experienced.

One SPU professor described this tragedy as "our darkest day and our finest hour." I think what he meant was that SPU community members have responded by doing what comes naturally: gathering together, praying together, and caring for one another. I believe they have been beacons of God's love to the world.

There has been an outpouring of support for SPU from Seattle, the nation, and the world. Some of the most meaningful messages have come from alumni. I thank you with all my heart. Your encouragement, concern, loyalty, and words of comfort are helping us to begin the healing process.

Many of you have asked us how you can help. First and foremost, you can pray -- for the family of the young man who was killed, for the students who were injured, and for all SPU students, faculty, and staff. For those who want to contribute funds to help SPU students in this difficult time, we have created the "Rise Above" Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to support those directly affected and to meet special needs across our community.

Tomorrow morning, we will hold our traditional Ivy Cutting ceremony, followed by Graduate Commencement in the afternoon, and Undergraduate Commencement on Saturday. We are looking forward to gathering together again, this time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduating students. I hope you will join us in spirit, and pray for our new graduates as they go out into the world ready to respond to the needs of others.

I have never been so grateful for this special place and its people -- including you. May God bless you. If you'd like to communicate with us in the days ahead, please email alumni@spu.edu.

Sincerely,

Dan Martin
President