As many of you now know, yesterday, December 10, 1998, at approximately 7:10 p.m., a lone gunman entered a classroom in Old Main and shot and killed Professor Andrzej Olbrot. Professor Olbrot taught in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and had been with Wayne State University for 10 years. Professor Olbrot was administering an exam at the time.

I speak for the entire Wayne State University Community when I say how appalled and deeply saddened we are by this terrible tragedy. I wish to express my sympathy for the family of Andrzej Olbrot. Their well-being is in our hearts and in our prayers. I want them to know that we stand willing to assist them in any way that we can.

We can only imagine what the students who witnessed this horrible act experienced last night. In bringing together a team of counselors and by marshalling the resources of this campus and many other agencies from throughout southeastern Michigan, we will assist them through the difficult days ahead. We are deeply concerned about their emotional well-being, and I want them to know that we will tend to their needs.

I also want to express my concern for the many other members of the campus community who are affected by this dreadful event. We are tending to the well-being of the others who were in the building last evening, the students, faculty and staff. We are also mindful of the affect on Professor Olbrot's other students, both present and past. We are particularly concerned about his colleagues and friends in the College of Engineering and across the entire campus. We share their sense of grief, fear and confusion. Following the advice of crisis counselors, we will be engaging those who have been affected on several different fronts in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

In recent months we have read of the horrible acts of violence taking place ina number of communities across the country. Over the years, college campuses have also been the scenes of tragic crimes. Yet violent crime is no stranger to government offices, factories, office buildings, homes and even playgrounds. This terrible force has found its way to our vibrant campus. We must not allow this singular act to destroy what we have worked so very hard to build and nurture. Wayne State University remains a very safe campus. We must not let the sensational headlines and the frenzied discussion obscure that fact.

We cherish the contributions of each and every member of the Wayne State community. In this violent flash something was taken from us. Professor Olbrot was regarded as one of the leading authorities on control systems. But more than this, he was someone who touched the lives of students. He helped countless students over the years, leaving each one of them a little wiser and a little stronger. That is all that every teacher strives for. We shall miss him greatly.