Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Virtual Tour | Visit Campus | Contact Us | Apply Now

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
    • Online Programs
      • Online Business Programs
    • Honors Program
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Research & Experiential Learning
      • Experiential Learning Courses
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
    • Utica University at Florida
      • Tuition and Fees: ABSN Program
      • Accepted Students
    • Current Offerings
    • Program Details
    • Themed Pathways
    • Planning Sheet
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Utica Campus Programs
      • Online Programs
      • ABSN Program
    • Net Price Calculator
    • Pioneer Passport
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Graduate Inquiry Form
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Res Life and Student Living
      • Campus Engagement and Student Activities
    • Satellite Locations
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
Utica University

Speaking Out for Students

  1. Utica Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Speaking Out for Students
Curtis Lawrence 94

Utica College alum and high-school principal Curtis Lawrence (’94) talked new approaches for student safety during a White House conversation on gun violence in February 2018.

In January of that year, a ninth grader at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. was gunned down walking home from school. The school’s principal and UC alum Curtis Lawrence ’94 was among the 40 high-school students and teachers—including many from Parkland, Florida—invited to the White House on February 21 for a listening session on gun violence hosted by President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

 

How did you learn you’d been invited to the President’s listening session?

It happened really quickly. On Monday, Feb. 19, the CEO of our charter school network emailed me. He said, “The President is doing a listening session. Here’s the link to register now.” I went on and registered to get security clearance, and the next day I was cleared and invited to come as one of the representatives of Friendship Collegiate Academy, along with four of our students.

 

Did you know what you were going to say going into the session?

I did have an idea. I knew I wanted to share how gun violence has impacted my organization here, which was different from the situation in Parkland, Florida. In January we lost a student who was on his way home. So the conversation isn’t just about violence in schools, but to and from. I wanted to encourage the President to consider solutions to benefit both scenarios. I shared that it had to be a two-pronged approach.

 

What was your take on the conversation that emerged?

It seemed like were two sides that developed; one was for arming teachers, and one was for looking at other solutions. I did not agree with arming teachers, which at one point, the President appeared to be leaning toward. It’s important to realize how different every school is in terms of location, demographics, whether it’s urban or rural, and I wanted to emphasize that. I will say it was productive since it was televised and got people talking about the issue. People in the nation got to hear that there’s a problem of gun violence on the outside, and students can be victims of it. I hope my comments got the conversation going, and that people will start to influence congressional and local officials to make change.

 

What was it like being in the White House?

For me, as a former history teacher, I was in heaven. We got a tour and saw some incredible things: George Washington’s sword from the American Revolution, china sets going as far back as John Adams’ presidency, a picture Dolly Madison saved from the War of 1812 when the British burned down the White House. Being able to see that level of history was enthralling. We met President Trump at the end, and he took a picture with the students. They were excited about that.

 

You graduated from UC in 1994. Tell me about your career path since then.

I pretty much went right into education after UC. I taught in Harlem for 10 years as a middle-school history teacher. I rose to be the chair of the history department there. While there, I got accepted into a principal training organization, which started my path toward administration. I’ve been an assistant principal in Harlem, the South Bronx, and Newark, New Jersey. I also was a founding principal at a middle school in San Antonio. During my tenure, the school was ranked one of the top 25 middle schools in the state of Texas, and in the top one percent of schools in San Antonio.

 

That’s impressive! What’s the secret to your success as a principal?

The secret is in hiring talented people and building a team among leadership, and supporting and developing teachers. It shows your belief in what they can do—and in what students can do.

 

What’s the response been like since you were part of the listening session? Have you gotten any negative feedback?

I got a bunch of texts and emails from friends saying things like, “I was in the airport and I saw you on TV!” My colleagues at school agree with my position and were happy I mentioned the need for a two-pronged approach. I even received a couple emails from people who let me know they were pro-gun, pro-NRA, but said “You spoke your position very well,” and they agree with me that we need to look at both environments and contexts. That was good to hear.

More Stories

Shelly Nunno Evans conducts orientation with DPT Students in June 2025.
On Campus

Physical Therapy doctoral students keep things moving

Though Commencement ceremonies bring the Spring semester to a close in May, the Utica University campus doesn’t stay quiet for...
John Cormican, with gray beard and hair down to his shoulders, wearing black glasses and a blue sweater, stands in front of book shelves and smiles.
Faculty

The World According to Cormican

He taught his first class when he was a freshman at Jefferson Township High School back home in Indiana. Not...
Utica University
Student

Utica University Announces Spring 2025 High Honors and Dean’s List

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Stephanie Nesbitt today announced the Utica University Spring 2025 semester High Honors...
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2025-2026 College of Distinction2025-2026 Private College of Distinction2025-2026 Business College of Distinction2025-2026 Education College of Distinction2025-2026 Nursing College of Distinction2025-2026 Career Development College of Distinction2025-2026 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)