'Beloved because of his selfless devotion': UA community gathers in remembrance of slain professor
The University of Arizona held a candlelight vigil on Friday night in honor of Thomas Meixner, the department head of hydrology and atmospheric sciences who police say was shot and killed Wednesday by a former student.
People gathered on the lawn with faux votive candles. Tables were set out with writing instruments for people to write messages to Meixner’s family.
“Tom was beloved because of his selfless devotion to his family, his community, his students and his colleagues,” UA President Robert Robbins said as he stood on a staircase overlooking the crowd.
He spoke about Meixner’s life and how he grew up in Maryland “playing in the streams and digging in the garden.”
“As an adult, his passion for water and the environment carried over to his research and teaching,” Robbins said
Meixner earned a bachelor's degree in the history of science as well as soil and water conservation from the University of Maryland in 1992, Robbins said. Then he came to the University of Arizona, where he earned his doctoral degree in hydrology and water resources in 1999.
He left to become an assistant professor of environmental sciences at the University of California, Riverside, until 2004, before returning to UA as an assistant professor. He became department head in 2019, Robbins said.
At the vigil, Emmanuel Taylor, associate pastor at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center, also gave words of comfort to family and friends.
“Keep coming back day after day walking with one another offering that support. The world needs your goodness,” Taylor said about grieving and coping with the loss.
Meixner’s brother-in-law, Colin Cotter, also spoke at the vigil about his kindness and brilliance. He also spoke about the outpouring of love and support Meixner’s family has received from the community.
“Life is fragile, more so than I ever realized. Everything about these circumstances feels so wrong. I can’t wrap my head and my heart around the reality of what has just transpired, but love and compassion and togetherness and community is the key to get through it,” he said.
Meixner was shot at 2 p.m. Wednesday in his office in the Harshbarger Building by a former student who was expelled from the university, police say.
Meixner was pronounced dead after being taken to Banner University Medical System.
In a statement released Thursday evening, Robbins expressed concern and care for the UA community and extended condolences to Meixner's loved ones.
"Our hearts break for his family, students, colleagues, and our entire campus community," Robbins said. "He set a wonderful example for all of us on how to be a true servant leader in life, and he will not be forgotten."
The suspect, Murad Dervish, 46, was captured by police just after 5 p.m. Wednesday after a brief car chase and was charged on suspicion of first-degree murder and aggravated assault.
According to an interim complaint filed with the Pima County Justice Court on Friday, Dervish was expelled from the university in February and barred from the property. Police said he had harassed and threatened staff members multiple times before.
Reach breaking news reporter Camila Pedrosa at cpedrosa@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: UA community gathers in remembrance of slain professor
