Remembering Alex Pretti and Honoring His Legacy

Alex Pretti was killed by federal law enforcement officers on January 24, 2026, while observing immigration enforcement actions. His last act was to extend a hand to someone on the ground and ask, “are you OK?” He was 37 years old.

Alex graduated from the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Biology, Society and Environment, a major that attracts students who aspire to careers in health and medicine while understanding human health within the broader context of social and environmental factors. He subsequently completed a Nursing degree and worked as an ICU nurse with the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System. An avid outdoorsman, Alex’s parents noted that he was deeply concerned about the health of our environment. Those who knew him well say he was committed to human flourishing and devoted to being an excellent health professional. By all accounts, Alex was stellar at his job. A video that has circulated of Alex solemnly honoring the life of a veteran, who passed away under his care as an ICU nurse at the VA, illustrates the dignity and humanity he afforded the patients in his care.

When Alex showed up with a phone to bear witness to the enforcement actions of federal agents, he demonstrated a commitment central to scholarly inquiry: using knowledge and expertise to go where power is deployed, to critically assess it, and to document it accurately and unflinchingly. In his final, purposeful act—leaning over to help a fellow human being in need, an act of care that ultimately led to his death—he exemplified the dedication to others that many of our students share. Alex was, in every sense, the best of us, and we are proud that someone of his character, integrity, kindness, and commitment to human wellbeing chose to pursue a degree in our department.

Providing educational opportunities for students who are deeply committed to understanding the relations and conditions that promote human flourishing, dedicated to asking hard questions to arrive at important truths even when they are uncomfortable to those in positions of power, and eager to make a difference in the world is central to our mission as a department. We honor Alex’s life and legacy by continuing this work.