“We stand tonight in unity, in grief, for those Jews who lost their lives in an unspeakable act of anti-Semitism at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, in solidarity with our Jewish friends and our community so that the words ‘Never again’ mean just that, in the hope that we might understand how to act in the face of hate and violence.

“In recognition that hate has no place on our campus, in our community, in our nation and in our world.

“In our commitment to stop hate, to stop the hate in whatever way we find it: Hate against those of different religions. Hate against those of different races, ethnicities and cultures. Hate against those of different gender identities and expressions. Hate against those of different abilities. Hate against those of different opinions and political points of view. And hate against those who are struggling and in poverty, who are homeless and starving.

“I work in this inclusive community because every day I believe we can stop the hate around us, and a place like Stetson gives me hope. The young people who go to school here, you inspire me, you inspire this community every single day to believe that we can form a better world. I thank you for the gift that you give us.

“In honor of those who died, let us take a moment of silence and pay tribute. And in honor of our commitment, individually and as a community, to stop hate and violence where we find it, let me say a prayer for peace:

“He who makes peace in high places, he will make peace for us and for all of Israel, and let us say,  ‘Amen.’ ”