To the Colgate community:

I write to express sorrow and sympathy on behalf of Colgate University following Sunday morning’s tragic mass shooting in Orlando, Fla. Our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected and to everyone who feels the pain of this tragedy in a deeply personal way.

We grieve this senseless loss of life and injury, with echoes of, and links to, other acts of historical violence as well as contemporary terrorism. It is a tragic instance of the violence that LGBTQ people continue to suffer despite many recent legal gains for the community.

I write, as well, to affirm the values of this institution in creating and maintaining an inclusive, welcoming, and safe place for all — a place where we recognize injustice, challenge intolerance, and combat hate. As Omid Safi, former Colgate philosophy and religion professor, told our graduating Class of 2016 in his baccalaureate address, “Continue expanding your circle of compassion until every sentient being and every human being is included.”

In that spirit, the Colgate community is invited to join a vigil of contemplation, reflection, or sharing this evening outside Memorial Chapel on the Academic Quad at 8:30 pm. In case of inclement weather, the gathering will take place at the ALANA Cultural Center. Staff from the LGBTQ Initiatives Office will be present to assist, counsel and refer.

Members of the counseling center (315-228-7385) staff are available to talk with any students on campus for the summer who are feeling distressed or troubled about this tragedy or any other concern.

Sincerely,
Jill Harsin
Interim President

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To the campus community:

On behalf of President-elect Brian Casey, I am pleased to announce that Mark Thompson, longtime director of counseling and psychological services, will serve as our interim dean of the college as of July 1.

Mark earned his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Arizona in 1986 and both undergraduate and master’s degrees from St. Bonaventure University.

With Dr. Merrill Miller, Mark co-founded and served as the initial co-director of Colgate’s wellness initiative. He founded the Colgate Men’s Group, actively promoting and leading sexual assault prevention workshops for undergraduate men at Colgate. He has helped lead Yes Means Yes seminars since the program’s inception and served on a number of steering committees addressing issues such as eating disorders and alcohol consumption.

Mark plans to retire at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year, and I appreciate his willingness to step into this interim leadership role before that time.

I am also pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Dawn LaFrance to director of counseling and psychological services, effective July 1.

Dawn attended Lafayette College and earned her PsyD from the University of Indianapolis. She completed her doctoral internship at Utah State University’s counseling center.

During her 14 years at Colgate, Dawn has built an outstanding record of service and leadership as a psychologist, assistant director, and associate director, managing mental health and crisis services.

Dawn has led and contributed to several cross-campus committees, including ALANA Affairs, the Sexual Climate Advisory Committee, Women’s Studies Advisory Board, Multicultural Recruitment Committee, and National Coalition Building Institute. She has worked closely with student-led initiatives such as Yes Means Yes and This is not a Play about Sex.

In addition to serving as director, Dawn will be developing sexual assault and relationship violence initiatives.

Please join me in congratulating Mark and Dawn on their new roles and thanking them for their important work on behalf of Colgate students.

Jill Harsin
Interim President

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