From the President: Remembering Sandy Hook

December 13, 2024

Dear Southern Community, 

It is hard to imagine that tomorrow is the twelfth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown — a tragedy that deeply affected the entire country and holds a special poignancy for us at Southern.

As many of you know, four of the educators who died at Sandy Hook on Dec. 14, 2012 were Southern alumnae: Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, M.S. ’97, 6th Yr. ’98; teacher Anne Marie Murphy, M.S. ’08; school psychologist Mary J. Sherlach, M.S. ’90, 6th Yr. ’92; and teacher Victoria Soto, M.S. ’13.

Here on campus, our Reflection Garden near Morrill Hall includes a Sandy Hook Memorial honoring these four alumnae, who heroically sought to protect the lives of the innocent children in their care.

Many members of our community also know families whose lives were forever changed in the wake of that day’s unspeakable events. Please take a few moments to remember all who lost their lives at Sandy Hook — and in subsequent school shootings across the nation. As of last week, there had been at least 81 school or college shootings in the U.S. so far this year, and more than 485 mass shootings -- stark reminders that these senseless acts remain prevalent in our society.

In our thoughts, and in our actions, let us hold close to the families of Newtown and other afflicted communities as we work together to break the cycle of violence by creating a future built on hope, peace, and understanding.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dwayne Smith
Interim President