Content Warning: This article contains references to hateful language directed toward minority groups.
For the second time in the last year, an unknown perpetrator painted graffiti reading “KKK” and “FU” on two trees along the Hearn Nature Trail located near Oxford College on Coke St.
In a Jan. 16 email to the Oxford community, Oxford College Interim Dean Molly McGehee (03G, 07G) and Oxford Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life Darleny Cepin wrote that the graffiti was “hateful” and stated that the City of Oxford Police Department was investigating the incident and that Oxford College was in communication with local law enforcement. Although Hearn Nature Trail is not under Oxford’s jurisdiction, McGehee and Cepin informed students that the college is “fully engaged in response efforts.”
“Oxford College is a place where every student, faculty, and staff member deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported,” the email reads. “Acts of hate have no place in our community, and we are committed to accountability and transparency as this investigation continues.”
McGehee and Cepin added that the Emory Police Department will continue to patrol areas on the nature trail outside of Oxford’s campus and evaluate the lighting and safety of commonly used trails.
By 4:59 p.m. on Jan. 16, it appeared that someone had covered the graffiti with dark paint. EPD and Oxford administration did not respond by press time to confirm if they had the graffiti covered up.
On Oct. 27, 2025, another unknown perpetrator painted messages on the Hearn Nature Trail, reading “KKK” and “FU” as well as the defacement of former Oxford Professor of Religion Hoyt Oliver’s (54Ox, 56C) memorial.
Oxford Student Government Association (OxSGA) President Jack Steffen (26Ox) said that OxSGA will seek to enact preventative measures and create a safe space for students to speak up.
“Last time, we passed a resolution regarding this and we released a statement and it’s just a glaring example about how words only go so far, and they can’t really stop action, unfortunately,” Steffen said. “But we are going to take every action that we can, of course, to make sure that whoever is doing this comes to light and that this stops happening.”
Steffen says he plans for OxSGA’s emergency response committee to coordinate with Oxford and the Atlanta campus to determine next steps to prevent future graffiti.
If you or someone you know experienced hateful language or slur use, you can call the Emory Police Department at (404) 727-6111 or reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/. You can reach the Atlanta Police Department at (404) 614-6544 and the Lines for Life Racial Equity Support Line from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at (503) 575-3764. You can reach the Trevor Project’s LGBTQ crisis support services 24/7 by calling +1 (866) 488-7386, texting 678-678 or visiting https://www.thetrevorproject.o....
