The Muskingum University community experienced an active shooter on campus on Friday, March 17. This happened on the North Athletic Turf Field following the Muskingum baseball game versus Olivet College.
Muskingum held an event on the quad to help students, faculty, and staff seek the help they need to cope with this incident on Tuesday, March 21.
University President Susan S. Hasseler shared comments and reflection at 10:50 a.m. in John Glenn Gym. Student Senate, Counseling Services, and Pause for Paws were stationed on the quad during the 11 a.m. common hour.
Annie, a two-year old Golden Retriever, meets with students during the Pause for Paws event on March 21. Campus members were invited to the quad to interact with the dogs during the 11 a.m. hour. Photo credit: Seth Roseberry.
Student Senate had a table where anyone could write words of encouragement to law enforcement, the baseball teams, or to the community.
Counseling Services was available for anyone who needed to talk.
Pause for Paws is an opportunity for the community to cope by petting dogs owned by campus employees.
A few members of the campus community spoke with Orbit Media reporter, Braden Steinman, about the March 17 incident, as well as their feelings about the March 21 event. He asked everyone the same three questions.
What brought you here today?
“I think it’s important that we talk to each other, we listen to each other, and we come together. It’s really difficult. Everybody is experiencing things a little bit differently and it’s important to just to be around a community right now,” said a professor.
“Well, I actually wasn’t on campus over the weekend, so I had a little bit of a different perspective of what happened just because I was signed up for META [Muskingum Emergency Text Alert system]. So, I did get alerts, but I really didn’t know what was happening. So, I had to call friends to make sure everyone was OK,” said a student.
How do you think the campus has been handling things so far?
“I’m very pleased with how the campus has been handling things. I think that we can all see that they really care about us and that the faculty and staff are here for us,” said a student.
“I feel as though we did what was necessary in the moment to kind of address the immediate problem. I think now it’s more so about supporting the students through this moment,” said a faculty member.
“I’ve been really appreciative. You can definitely tell that they care about their students. From making sure that everyone is signed up for the META, from the dogs, from having services in the church on Thursday. I’ve been really appreciative of the different ways that they’ve been trying to reach out to all the students,” said a student.
“I don’t think there’s a right way to handle something like this. I think that it’s like I said. I’ve talked to students [and] some are angry [and] some are scared. I think faculty and staff kind of feel the same way. I think we’re managing, [and] I think we’re doing well,” said a professor.
How do you feel about the campus coming together to heal like this?
“I think it’s definitely beneficial only because I know for myself if I were to go through something traumatic like this I’d kind of be cooped up in my room, and that could kind of, you know, lead to other things. So, I definitely think being around people and just sharing those positive vibes I think is definitely important,” said a faculty member.
“I think that this is a great way to heal. The dogs on the quad are always a big hit. I think that the words of encouragement are a great way to kind of put down on a card how you feel. I think that President Hasseler speaking today really put a lot of minds at ease,” said a student.
“I love it. That’s one of the main reasons I came to Muskingum. Because I knew this would be a family atmosphere. So, seeing everyone come together after something like this is really, really amazing to see,” said a student.
“I think it’s great. I think that unfortunately it stinks that it takes things like this sometimes to happen to have people come together that are very different with different experiences. But, I think it’s important. I think it’s encouraging and I think it’s one of the reasons Muskingum is a great place,” said a professor.
In addition to the quad event on March 21, there was a Time of Hope and Healing service held in Brown Chapel on Thursday, March 23.
Interim Chaplain, Rev. Tim Pollock said while putting the program together, the team anticipated a time of consolation and comfort.
“The students were quite clear that they didn’t want to just dwell on the scariness that was Friday night [March 17], but really wanted to focus on the hope in the future and celebrate the community that came together Friday night,” said Pollock.
A Time of Hope and Healing Chapel Service program from March 23, 2023. The service featured campus and community speakers and was aired live on WMCO 90.7.
There was live music played by Associate Professor of Music Harsha Abeyaratne. Muskingum University President Susan S. Hasseler led a responsive reading. Director of Athletics Kari Winters, and others shared Bible verses, and Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of Forensics Rachel Pollock read a poem.
New Concord Mayor Jennifer Lyle offered a prayer for peace. Muskingum University student Amber Corll read “Unity is Community” and Associate Professor of Psychology Mark Stambush read Isaiah 58:8-12.
Those in attendance were invited to come to the front of the chapel and light a candle to share a hope or dream for the future of the community.
“Lord, we know that when two or more are gathered, you are present, and so we feel your presence this day. The light and truth that is in every one of us that we share with everyone in our community, with love and light,” said Rev. Pollock.
The Time of Hope and Healing service was concluded with “If You’re Out There” by John Legend, and another moment of prayer and meditation.
View the most recent update on the March 17 incident.
Muskingum University Counseling Services can be contacted at counseling@muskingum.edu, or by phone (740) 826-8091.
