The president of George Fox University denounced the hanging of a cutout of Barack Obama and graffiti aimed at a scholarship program that enrolls mostly minority students.
“We absolutely cannot hate those around us and say we love God,” President Robin Baker said to the students today. “It is not possible. Yesterday was not a good example of what it means to follow Jesus.”
Noelle Crombie of The Oregonian reports that a campus custodial crew discovered the cutout hung by fishing line from a tree yesterday morning. The cutout was accompanied by the words “Act Six reject.” Act Six is a scholarship program that was established two years ago and is aimed at including more low-income and minority students in the George Fox student body.
The Associated Press reports that Baker told students he was “disheartened and outraged.”
“It has been my dream to establish a university that more adequately represents the kingdom of God,” he said. “This act causes some to question our commitment.”
George Fox was founded as a Quaker school and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. University officials said Wednesday they do not know who hung the effigy, which University spokesman Rob Felton said few people saw before it was taken down.
