A Statement From President Mestan About the Tragedy in Buffalo

Dear #NortheastBlue students, faculty and staff:

I write to you today at a loss for words to convey the grief, hurt and anger so many of us are experiencing around Saturday's horrific racially motivated shooting in Buffalo. It is agonizing to hear of such violence happening anywhere in our world; to have such a hate-filled action happen just down the Thruway in one of our neighboring communities is particularly heartbreaking. 

Northeast College condemns these acts of violence and stands in solidarity with our neighbors in Buffalo -- particularly those in the predominantly Black neighborhood targeted by this senseless act. We grieve for those whose lives were senselessly taken, as well as for those injured and impacted whose lives have changed forever.

In the coming days we will doubtless learn much more about these appalling actions; what we do already know is that this violence was openly driven by racism and hatred. Today I invite you to join me in reaffirming that, as a College, we unequivocally reject racism, discrimination, violence and hatred.  There is no place for these elements in the world in which we want to live, and together we continue to acknowledge that clearly, there is still much work and healing yet to be done.

In peace and sorrow,

Dr. Michael Mestan
President, Northeast College of Health Sciences

PS: As you process through these very challenging times, please know College counselors are here to help. If you are in need of support around these or related events, you can contact the counseling office at counseling@northeastcollege.edu or 315.568.3064; you can also call 2-1-1 for Lifeline or contact your local mental health provider. Employees are also able to reach out to our Employee Assistance Program through Human Resources.