As I watched our communities come together on South Campus this weekend, I was profoundly moved. During one of the gravest weeks in University of Alberta memory, our gathering served as a powerful reminder of how blessed we are to be part of a great, global community here in Edmonton - and how we strive to support each other, care for one another, and, like those we mourn, work together to make this world better for everyone.
Sunday's memorial made clear that the individuals we lost were not only brilliant researchers, talented teachers, and promising students - they were also kind, generous, and compassionate human beings. We will feel their loss for years to come. In the weeks and months ahead, I want to remind everyone that there are supports available to our faculty, staff and students should they need them.
Over the last week, community members, friends, and colleagues have also sought to create a lasting legacy, honouring all of the victims of this tragedy, in particular those from the U of A family: professors Mojgan Daneshmand and Pedram Mousavi, and students and alumni Pouneh Gorji, Elnaz Nabiyi, Arash Pourzarabi, Nasim Rahmanifar, Saba Saadat, Sara Saadat, Amir Saeedinia, and Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi. In their memory, the university has established a memorial fund to create two graduate student scholarships, with the goal of endowing these student awards in perpetuity.
To those who helped in this effort and also to all those who have volunteered time, attended vigils and memorials, and sent messages of love and condolence: thank you. Over the past few days, I've heard from people around the world about the impact your support has had. I've heard from communities near and far that share in our grief. And I've heard from countless people who remember the incredible contributions, talent, and stories of those people we have lost.
Let us honour their memory by following the example they set.
David Turpin
President and Vice-chancellor
Thousands of people from around the world have shared messages of condolence and memories of the victims with us on social media and through our website. If you would like to share a message, please submit one to the Condolence and Memories page.
Here is a small sample of some of the generous messages we've received:
"A loss like this one will be felt for years to come. Edmonton, the University community, Canada, and the world will all be a bit less for this loss of brilliant amazing people."
"Thanks Canada and UAlberta for your great sympathy and support during this difficult time, Iranian people will never forget your kindness and what you have done."
"We deeply appreciate your expression of sympathy. Words can not describe how much your kindness means to us. I got to know more about each of the victims through your beautiful stories. Thank you Canada for being you. Iranians love you and respect you immensely."
"My deepest condolences to the families and friends of all the loved ones who perished in the tragic crash of Flight PS752. Take care of yourself and allow time to grieve. Reach out to the many resources offered and to those who surround you. Know that you are never alone. May the loved ones rest in peace, as long as they are remembered, they will never be forgotten."
"The heartfelt speeches at the memorial on Sunday gave us a sense of what we've all lost. Thank you to the friends and colleagues who spoke at that event for giving us a glimpse at some very special people. They would be proud of you."
"Our deepest condolences go out to the academic community of the University of Alberta and especially to the families which lost their loved ones. Such sad and shocking news. Thoughts and sympathy from the University of Leeds are with you at this painful time."
"It's been days now since the terrible news of Flight 752 and the pain is still so sharp. Our local Iranian community is suddenly a lot smaller, a lot sadder. Let us hold you up in this most awful time of grief; let us all remember the people who have gone now, too soon, and think of the ones they've left behind. Your pain is our pain. Your loss is our loss. Our campus and community will never be the same."
"My heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this terrible event. May we all find the strength required to support each other within our university community. These harsh events make us all reflect on the unexpected and unpredictable impacts we may someday have to face. Let us not hesitate to reach out to those among us in need of support."
"It is the work of all us students now, at UofA, to live on the legacy of those scholars who were taken from us too early. We will continue to work, learn, and teach in their honour for a more peaceful society and a world that uplifts the whole people."
"To be an academic is to engage in sense making, so what to do in the face of this terrible loss - of intellect, of life force, of goodness - in which there is no sense to be made? My heart breaks for all who are grieving. Let gentleness surround you."