The College of Science Commemorates Juneteenth

The College of Science commemorates the observance of Juneteenth, sometimes called black independence day, marking the day in 1865 when word of emancipation finally reached those enslaved in Galveston, Texas. In doing so, we also recognize that Juneteenth also marks the unforgivable two-year delay from Lincoln’s original Emancipation Proclamation, the first of a long history of our Nation’s attempts to resist true equality. Now, during these turbulent times, we remember President Obama’s words from five years ago, which are still relevant:

"We don't have to look far to see that racism and bigotry, hate and intolerance, are still all too alive in our world. Just as the slaves of Galveston knew that emancipation is only the first step toward true freedom, just as those who crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge 50 years ago knew their march was far from finished, our work remains undone. For as long as people still hate each other for nothing more than the color of their skin - and so long as it remains far too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on a gun - we cannot honestly say that our country is living up to its highest ideals. But Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory, or an acceptance of the way things are. Instead, it's a celebration of progress. It's an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, things do get better.

So no matter our color or our creed, no matter where we come from or who we love, today is a day to find joy in the face of sorrow, to count our blessings and hold the ones we love a little closer. And tomorrow is a day to keep marching."

Let us all commit today to holding those in our community a little closer and tomorrow to redoubling our efforts to fight racism and discrimination.

Dr. Sophia Maggelakis
Dean, College of Science

Dr. Paul Craig
School Head, School of Chemistry and Materials Science

Dr. David Messinger
School Head, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science

Dr. Mark Fairchild
School Head, Integrated Sciences Academy

Dr. Andre Hudson
School Head, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences

Dr. Mary Lynn Reed
School Head, School of Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Michael Kotlarchyk
School Head, School of Physics and Astronomy