Ivy League murder suspect's alma mater UPenn silent on CEO assassination after professor's celebratory post

The University of Pennsylvania, where suspected gunman Luigi Mangione earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees, has refused to comment publicly on its alum’s arrest in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 

When asked multiple times for comment via email and phone, a UPenn spokesperson would only share that Mangione graduated on May 18, 2020 with bachelors and master’s degrees and minored in mathematics. He earned degrees in engineering and was part of the Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society for Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson, president of the Legal Insurrection Foundation and of EqualProtect.org, told Fox News Digital that the school could be withholding comment because it is “afraid of the students” at the liberal institution, considering that “[its] campus has been a hotbed for anti-American, anti-Israeli, antisemitic outbursts and protests.”

A UPenn spokesperson said that Alekseyeva had “retracted” her comments after realizing they were “insensitive and inappropriate.”

“Much concern was raised by recent social media posts attributed to Assistant Professor Julia Alekseyeva,” the spokesperson wrote. “Her comments regarding the shooting of Brian Thompson in New York City were antithetical to the values of both the School of Arts and Sciences and the University of Pennsylvania, and they were not condoned by the School or the University.”

UPenn campus in Philadelphia

The University of Pennsylvania campus is seen in Philadelphia. (Jumping Rocks/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

However, the school did not name Mangione or condemn Thompson’s assassination. 

“It seems odd that they can’t offer generic condolences about his death without commenting on the guilt or innocence of their alum,” Jacobson said.

In contrast, the headmaster of the small private academy where Mangione attended high school issued a statement the same day that the former valedictorian was arrested. 

Luigi Mangione

Luigi Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning in connection with the ambush murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. (Luigi Mangione/Facebook)

“We recently became aware that the person arrested in connection with the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO is a Gilman alumnus, Luigi Mangione, Class of 2016,” Henry P. A. Smyth, headmaster of the Gilman School in Baltimore, said. “We do not have any information other than what is being reported in the news… This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.”

A general view of the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland

A general view of the Gilman School in Baltimore on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in Pennsylvania for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, graduated from the school in 2016. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

The Ivy League university’s silence on the national news involving its graduate comes a year after former Penn President Liz Magill declined to outright state that calls for the genocide of Jewish people constitute bullying or harassment under Penn’s code of conduct during a congressional hearing. 

Liz Magill

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill listens during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill on Dec. 5, 2023, in Washington. Magill resigned amid pressure from donors and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Magill resigned four days after the hearing, on Dec. 11 of last year, ahead of a Board of Trustees meeting on whether she could continue to effectively fundraise and lead the university after the backlash against her handling of antisemitism at the school.

“I don’t know if [refusing to comment is] the lesson they’ve learned, but I do know that schools and companies in general, their standard PR pattern is to not comment on things – it may be in completely good faith, what they’re saying,” Jacobson said. “Or it might be something else.”

You May Also Like
Karoline Leavitt peppered with hardball questions from young journalists

Karoline Leavitt faced tough questions from emerging reporters

During a celebratory weekend for the media, White House Press Secretary Karoline…
Trump tenderly applies mascara to 'eyeliner man' JD Vance as the pair snuggle in an all-pink bedroom in wild AI image as China unleashes meme warfare on US amid tariff stand-off

“Imagined Image Shows Trump and JD Vance Bonding in a Pink Bedroom as China Engages in Meme Warfare Amid Tariff Stand-Off”

Critics from China are poking fun at Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy…
Massive blow to Trump as Japanese car giant moves manufacturing OUT of US in tariff twist

Huge setback for Trump as Japanese car company shifts production AWAY from US due to tariffs

President Donald Trump’s tariffs just cost America a chunk of Canadian business.…
NFL Draft 2025: Chicago Bears set to pick in rounds 2, 3 after selecting Michigan TE Colston Loveland in 1st round

Chicago Bears Will Select in Rounds 2 and 3 of NFL Draft 2025 After Picking Michigan TE Colston Loveland in the 1st Round

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Bears will be back on the clock…
Pope Francis' funeral schedule, what to expect from the Novendiali, a 9-day period of prayer, mourning

“Pope Francis’ Funeral Schedule: A Guide to the Novendiali Period of Prayer and Mourning”

Pope Francis’ funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in local…
Bain, member of K-pop group Just B, comes out as gay on final stop of band's world tour

Bain from the K-pop group Just B reveals he is gay at the last show of the band’s global tour

Bain, a 23-year-old member of the K-pop boy band Just B, came…
Will There Be A Season 3 of ‘NCIS: Sydney’?

Is Season 3 of ‘NCIS: Sydney’ Confirmed?

The season finale of NCIS: Sydney will be on Friday, April 25,…
Pope Francis funeral: Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome

Dignitaries including Trump and Zelenskyy to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome

VATICAN CITY — Leaders from around the world will gather in Rome…
Beyonce mercilessly mocked as tickets for 'flop' Cowboy Carter tour reach same price as a McDonald's meal

Beyonce ridiculed as ticket prices for failed Cowboy Carter tour drop to cost of a meal at McDonald’s.

Beyonce has been ridiculed by music fans after tickets for her struggling…
Highland Park parade shooting: Robert Crimo III transferred to Stateville prison to serve life sentence for killing 7, injuring 48

Robert Crimo III moved to Stateville prison for lifelong sentence after Highland Park parade shooting kills 7 and wounds 48

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) — The Highland Park parade shooter will now begin…
Virginia Giuffre, Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser, dead at 41 by suicide: report

Report: Woman who accused Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein, of wrongdoing dies by suicide at age 41

According to a report, Virginia Giuffre has died by suicide. Giuffre made…
Selma Blair shares unbelievable health update amid years-long MS battle

Selma Blair provides incredible update on her health after battling MS for years

Selma Blair shared a positive update on her battle with Multiple Sclerosis,…