By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
Morgan State University (MSU) President David Wilson will convene the inaugural National Conference on Gun Violence on U.S. College and University Campuses Feb. 18-19 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in downtown Baltimore. Organized in partnership with MSU’s School of Social Work and the Center for Urban Violence and Crime Reduction, this event aims to tackle the impact of gun violence on campus safety.
“Gun violence has become an unfortunate and growing threat to the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff on college campuses across the nation. We are proud to lead this national dialogue,” Wilson said in a statement.
The conference is being convened as a “clarion call” to shine a spotlight on the growing incidence of gun violence on U.S. campuses. It will gather education leaders, researchers, community advocates and policymakers to collaborate on finding solutions to safeguarding institutions against gun violence, including developing more sensitive threat assessments and preventative measures.
Since 1966, there have been 13 mass shootings – incidents involving more than three deaths – in and around college campuses in the U.S., according to data collated by BestColleges.com.
Excluding mass shootings, the decade 2013-2023 saw 323 instances of gunfire on college campuses, occurring in 42 states and Washington, D.C., which resulted in 94 deaths and injuries to 215 other persons, according to data from Every Town for Gun Safety. Those incidents included individual attacks, unintentional gunfire, legal interventions, self-harm, and other instances.
During the two-day gun violence conference in Baltimore, a panel of college and university presidents – in a symposium moderated by AFRO Chairman and Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper – will talk about their experiences.
The presidents hail from diverse institutions and will discuss their previous and planned responses to gun violence, share lessons learned and changes made to enhance campus safety.
Wilson will participate on this panel and address the impact of the October 2023 shooting at MSU, which injured five people, including four Morgan students.
Students impacted by the incident will also have an opportunity to offer their perspectives on the incident during a conversation led by MSU Vice President of Student Affairs Kevin Banks.
“At Morgan, we do not shy away from difficult conversations,” Wilson said in a letter to all conference participants.
The president went on to emphasize Morgan State’s dedication and commitment as a research institution.
“This conference is about more than conversations—it is about using research and expertise to drive real, evidence-based change.”
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