President Barron on Election: “Our nation must begin to heal”
Penn State President Eric Barron has issued a statement and blanket email to Penn State students on the election, stating that with the results in and Donald Trump as our next president, “our nation must begin to heal as we prepare for a peaceful transfer of power.”
Barron urged students, whom voted overwhelmingly in favor of Democrat Hillary Clinton on campus, to “focus on your role as part of the Penn State community, and to reflect upon who we are as Penn Staters.”
Barron mentioned the efforts the campus has made to be more accepting of different groups, including the university’s “All In” initiative, which looks to combat discrimination in all its forms.
Barron wrote, “As Penn Staters, we have been interconnected throughout our shared history, and we are resilient. When we say ‘We are Penn State,’ we are ‘All In,’” he said.
He also referred students to campus Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for students that are distressed by the election and its results.
Baron also used the message to invite students on an event next week with reporters Kevin Cirilli from Bloomberg, Casey McDermott of New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) and Anna Orso, a reporter with billypenn.com. Russ Eshleman, head of the Department of Journalism, will moderate the discussion and will take place on Tuesday, November 15 from 7–8:30 p.m. in Freeman Auditorium.
Read the full statement below:
To the Penn State Community:
After the longest and most difficult presidential campaign in recent history, the ballots have been counted, the final speeches have been delivered, and our nation must begin to heal as we prepare for a peaceful transfer of power.
Given the tight and contentious race, I know that many of you are disappointed and disheartened with the outcome, while others see this as an opportunity to strengthen our great nation.
Regardless of who you supported during the election, I urge you to focus on your role as part of the Penn State community, and to reflect upon who we are as Penn Staters.
Just last month, thousands of Penn State students, faculty and staff joined together to embrace the vision for a just and unified university. In the historic All In kick off, we affirmed the value of a diverse and inclusive university. We celebrated our community and its amazing potential for good, as well as the courage of our convictions to be a national leader in diversity and inclusion efforts.
As Penn Staters, we have been interconnected throughout our shared history, and we are resilient. When we say “We are Penn State,” we are “All In.”
I am proud to be a part of a university that respects and values the views of others, and I take great comfort in our nation’s democratic process. It is a privilege to vote, and it is a privilege to live in a country where we can voice differing opinions openly.
This is a freedom we should never take lightly.
I hope you will take this opportunity to share your ideas, to listen and to learn. We encourage our offices and departments to create supportive spaces for students, faculty and staff to discuss their reactions to the election. For those who feel they need additional support services, please call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 814–863–0395.
In addition, you may be interested in this upcoming event sponsored by the College of Communications.
Post-Election Panel on Nov. 15
Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Location: HUB-Robeson Center, Freeman Auditorium, University Park
The post-election panel will feature alumni panelists who have covered the presidential election, specifically Kevin Cirilli of Bloomberg News, Casey McDermott of New Hampshire Public Radio and Anna Orso of billypenn.com. The session will be moderated by Russ Eshleman, head of the Department of Journalism. The session is free and open to the public.
Sincerely,
Eric Barron
