Two years after Dr Thomas Meixner was shot and killed on the UofA campus, his wife is keeping his memory alive

Dr Meixner's widow spoke out on how her family's tragic loss could serve as a lesson.

PUBLISHED SEP 30, 2024

Kathleen is also asking the community to honor her husband's memory by exercising their right to vote.

Tucson, Arizona: On October 5, 2022, University of Arizona professor and department head of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Dr Thomas Meixner was shot and killed on campus.

Dr. Meixner's killer was a former student, Murad Dervish, who had been expelled and reportedly had several confrontations with university staff and faculty before the shooting. Despite multiple warnings and reports about Dervish's behavior, it appears there were significant lapses in how these warnings were handled by the university. Dervish was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year. In January the University of Arizona reached a “multi-million-dollar resolution" with the family of Dr Meixner.

In Ocotber 2022 Dr Thomas Meixner (second from right) was shot and killed on University of Arizona campus.

Now two years later, Dr Meixner's widow spoke out on how her family's tragic loss could serve as a lesson for universities nationwide.

Outside the Harshbarger Building on the University of Arizona campus is a sign that reads: "In loving memory of Tom Meisner". It also marks the spott her husband was fatally shot. However, as she sat down with 12 News's Emily Pritchard, on the upcoming second anniversary of his death, she remembered him not for how he died, but for who he was in life: a loving father, an accomplished scientist, and a three-time cancer survivor.

His killer Murad Dervish was sentenced to life in prison.

"He was a fighter," she said, reflecting on his resilience through multiple cancer battles and his deep love for their family.

Now, Kathleen is on a mission: "I hope that what happened to Tom can be a lesson for other universities," she told 12News. "It’s my wish that the University of Arizona’s response to this tragedy will serve as a model for universities around the country."

Dr Meixner's widow, Kathleen, is asking the community to honor her husband's memory by exercising their right to vote.

Kathleen’s suggestion for universities is to establish an Office of Public Safety if one doesn’t already exist. She also advocates for regular meetings between various campus and community agencies to discuss safety protocols. This isn't the first time the University of Arizona has faced such a tragedy. Nearly 20 years before Dr. Meixner's death, the university lost three faculty members in a similar incident involving an angry student.

Kathleen is also asking the community to honor her husband's memory by exercising their right to vote. "He was all about getting the vote out," she said, recalling how Dr. Meixner used to make phone calls and knock on doors to encourage civic participation.