Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, dean and professor of the School of Pharmacy, issues statement on the death of George Floyd and ongoing racial and social injustices in the United States.
Dear faculty, staff, students, and alumni,
The past few weeks and days are ones that none of us will soon forget, nor should we ever forget. As an African-American woman, I am both angered and saddened by the deaths of George Floyd and countless other African-Americans at the hands of vigilantes and police officers sworn to serve and protect us all. These unnecessary deaths are a painful and continuing reminder of the racial and social injustices that the African-American community has endured for generations. Injustices that must end.
I am heartened, however, by the determination and focus of peaceful protestors across the United States and especially here in Baltimore. Their bravery and commitment to vocally and collaboratively demanding accountability and reform is inspiring. The diversity I see in the people demanding change gives me hope that our country is ready.
As dean of the School of Pharmacy, as a concerned citizen, and as an individual who has felt the injustice of racism, it is important to me that our community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni embrace UMB’s core values, which guide us in our work, especially in challenging times. Those values are accountability, civility, collaboration, diversity, excellence, knowledge, and leadership.
These values need to be more than words. They need to be guiding principles that drive our personal, professional, and academic actions and interactions and that demonstrate a commitment to our students, trainees, and employees to do all that we can to recognize and support each and every member of our community.
I hope you will join with me in our continued quest to live our core values as we work toward a more just community.
In the spirit of expertise, influence, and impact,
Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP
Dean and Professor