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NOTE: Following are three statements from Indiana University about the recent death of an IU student. If you need further assistance, contact JT. Forbes, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations, at 812-855-8109, or e-mail him at forbesjt@indiana.edu
From Myles Brand, President, Indiana University:
Indiana University joins the Bloomington community and others around the nation in shock and sorrow in response to the tragic shooting deaths attributed to Benjamin Smith this past weekend. Our heart goes out to all those hurt by his actions.
We are particularly saddened by the death of Won-Joon Yoon, a graduate student in economics who was killed Sunday in a drive-by shooting outside Bloomington's Korean Methodist Church. Our deepest sympathies go to Mr. Yoon's family, friends and fellow worshippers, whose terrible loss we cannot fully know, but whose pain we certainly share.
A single act of hateful violence is one too many. Our university and our community have long been united by an unwillingness to accept even the deviant acts of individuals whose venom we can neither understand nor predict. As always, we stand together, fully committed to preserving our long-standing welcome to persons of every race, religion and cultural heritage.
Mr. Smith's inconceivable acts robbed Mr. Yoon and others of their dreams and ambitions. But neither Mr. Smith, nor any other person whose words and actions embody hate, can take from us our abiding belief in the power of human beings to overcome hatred. In education, vigilance and endless pursuit lie the promise of a society that promotes diversity, civility and inclusiveness.
These acts must stop. Tolerance and respect for diversity must prevail.
In the coming months and years, Indiana University will intensify its ongoing efforts to make this a reality for our world. We invite all those who share our dream to join us in our attempt.
From Kenneth R.R. Gros Louis, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor of the Bloomington campus:
None of us, I believe, can fully understand the pathology that drove Benjamin Smith to murder completely innocent victims on the basis of nothing but their skin color, ethnicity and religion.
We are troubled, also, that some of the killings took place near houses of worship and college campuses, places where people come together confident in the power of education, compassion and fellowship.
In Bloomington, both victim and perpetrator had lived among us as students. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of all who were touched by this tragedy. In the days and weeks to come, each of us will wrestle with our own private questions, emotions, and attempts to understand. Collectively, though, we will draw strength from one another, and from the efforts so many on our campus and in our city have made to underscore Bloomington's fundamental quality as a community that values diversity and rejects hatred.
IU and its Bloomington campus have a long, proud tradition of welcoming and drawing strength from students, faculty and staff from all over the world; from every race and religious faith; and from every cultural group. This diversity makes us stronger, and we will continue all of our work that supports it.
In the wake of this tragedy, our response must be one not of fear, but rather of renewed commitment to our principles and ideals. As always, IU stands with the community and in support of efforts to console, to educate, and to assert that hatred and violence shall never prevail over all that unites us.
From the Asian Culture Center at Indiana University, Bloomington:
We would like to express our sorrow for the loss of a member of our community and to deplore this senseless crime.
To his murderer, Won-Joon Yoon was an anonymous victim, chosen perhaps for his race or religion. But his death cannot define his life, and we must realize that in life he was known, loved and respected as a person.
Won-Joon came to Bloomington from Southern Illinois University in May to work toward a doctorate in economics. He was 26 years old. He left his parents and four sisters in Seoul, Korea, to come to the United States to study.
Even though he was here only a short time, he was a member of this community. He belonged to the Korean United Methodist Church congregation. He had friends among the students and faculty of IU. Since yesterday, 10 students have maintained a round-the-clock vigil with his body at Bloomington Hospital, and they will continue to do so until the funeral services later this week.
Won-Joon Yoon represents all of us in Bloomington. He represents all that is bright, promising and decent in this community. His killer represents none of this, and so does not represent this community or its values.
If this crime was intended to make us fearful, to mistrust our neighbors, or to make us resentful, it has failed. The Asian community at IU remains unafraid and united, and we trust that the system of laws will protect us and assure justice for Won-Joon Yoon and the citizens of Bloomington.