[Important Information for Employees] Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed to U.S. Supreme Court

[Office of the President]

Dear Campus,



Today's confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States
Supreme Court is truly a momentous event in the nearly 250-year history of
this country - an event that requires us all to pause and reflect on the
significance of this historic moment.



As the first Black woman and first former public defender to be appointed
to the United States Supreme Court, Justice Jackson is also one of only
three Supreme Court Justices to graduate from a public high school. And
although her high school guidance counselor told her not to set her "sights
so high"  when she shared her plans to attend Harvard, Jackson graduated
magna cum laude from Harvard University and cum laude from Harvard Law
School, where she served as editor of Harvard Law Review.



At a time when “only 5% of lawyers in this country are African American
<https://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/projects/men-of-color/lawyer-demographics/>,"
Justice Jackson’s perseverance and her lifelong dedication to public
service are evident and remarkable reminders of the power of resilience and
determination. And while we will all benefit from Justice Jackson's
knowledge, experience, and record of thoughtful contemplation in past
cases, this confirmation is particularly significant for all BIPOC
individuals whose valuable humanity has been denied and whose essential
contributions have been dismissed for far too long.



As we strive to nurture a campus culture of equity and inclusivity that
supports, honors and celebrates all students, faculty and staff, we must
look to Justice Jackson as a reminder and an example of what is possible -
and necessary - when every mind has an opportunity to be educated and every
voice has an opportunity to be heard.



Thank you.



Alexander Enyedi

President
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