Oikos University to Create Memorial Fund in Honor of Victims of April 2 Shooting

OAKLAND, Calif., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Oikos University announced that it is creating a special memorial fund in honor of the seven people killed at the school on April 2. The Oikos University Victims Foundation will go towards the victims and their families. Its formation was announced on the university's web site (http://www.oikosuniversity.org/) and at a memorial service this morning held at the university's single-building campus off Edgewater Drive near the Oakland International Airport.

In addition to a prayer service, the memorial included comments from Oikos President Jongin Kim, who extended public condolences to the families and friends of the victims and also thanked police officers and emergency workers who responded quickly to the shooting earlier this month, as well as local pastors and other spiritual leaders "who have mourned with us."

Dr. Kim noted that the name of the school – Oikos – carries several meanings, foremost the idea of how important life is. "We take that meaning very seriously," he said.

"It is instilled in the way our faculty have faithfully served our students," Dr. Kim added. "This is why we have launched a Nursing and Asian Medicine School in addition to our Theological School. Our student body, though small, comes from 16 different countries and represents many different ethnic groups. Our students have worked diligently and done all they can to fulfill the American dream of success and acceptance."

Instructions for donating to the victims' foundation can be found at the university's web site: http://www.oikosuniversity.org/1010/welcome1.php. Online contributions will be possible through a routing number and account number for the fund.

Here is the full text of Dr. Kim's remarks, followed by a statement from the school issued April 6.

Comments by Oikos President Jongin Kim, April 10, 2012

Our community is deeply saddened by the cruel attack that took place at our school on April 2. We pray that God may comfort the families and friends of the victims, and the souls of those seven individuals who lost their lives. It is difficult to find the right words to console the families going through this indescribable tragedy. The administration and staff of Oikos Community wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to all of those affected by this terrible event.

Over the past week we have been encouraged by the outpouring of support that has reached us from all over the world. We would like to thank Oakland Mayor Jean Quan as well as the police officers and emergency responders who quickly responded to the shooting and personally tended to our staff and victims' families. We thank the local pastors and other spiritual leaders who have mourned with us. And we are especially grateful to Korean Ambassador Jung Kwan Lee, who visited the university and have his personal support to all of us.

The name of our school – "Oikos"- has several different meanings but foremost is its translation: "How important life is." We take that meaning very seriously. Since our founding in 2004 all of us at Oikos have worked hard to fulfill this value through all of our course offerings. It is instilled in the way our faculty have faithfully served our students. This is why we have launched a Nursing and Asian Medicine School in addition to our Theological School. Our student body, though small, comes from 16 different countries and represents many different ethnic groups. Our students have worked diligently and done all they can to fulfill the American dream of success and acceptance. But most of our students have also been challenged financially and the school has done everything it can to support their dreams.

We understand how important it is to continue this mission, which will unquestionably continue despite this tragedy. We may be a small institution but we believe that God has greater purposes and has led our school to this point for a reason.

There is no place for violence in our society. All of us have to focus on the value of human life, and on the goodness of each individual. We wish once again to extend our love and grief to the families and friends of the victims.

All of us associated with Oikos are grateful for the opportunities that America provides to those who work hard to achieve their personal goals and dreams. We thank God for allowing us to continue in our mission.

Thank you. God bless America, and all of you.

Statement from Oikos University, April 6, 2012

All of us at Oikos are terribly saddened by the recent tragic event that occurred on our small campus.

Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to all of the families affected by the shootings that occurred on April 2nd. We are a small, close-knit school and community. This tragedy has profoundly touched all of us - students, teachers, staff, families and administration.

We are extending pastoral guidance to our students and families and hope that this collective process will help all of us through our grieving, which is also an extremely private matter.

We have begun a daily memorial service and choral performance in honor of the seven individuals who lost their lives. This ceremony will continue throughout the month and possibly beyond.

This is obviously a challenging moment for our young and growing institution and we've only just begun to fully take stock of the situation. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and other authorities in their investigation. As we continue to inform ourselves of the facts surrounding this week's tragedy, we will share any meaningful details with the community as well as with the media.

Oikos University
Press contact: Allan Ripp 212-262-7477 [email protected]
Inquiries regarding Oikos University Victims Foundation contact: Eunhee Byeon at (925) 548-6830

SOURCE Oikos University