Â鶹´«Ã½ Remembers Day to take place April 27
Article By: Agnes Hina
Â鶹´«Ã½ (Â鶹´«Ã½) students who have died within the past year will be memorialized on April 27 during Â鶹´«Ã½ Remembers Day ceremonies.
"College campuses are generally known for their liveliness and energy, and losses of such young, vibrant students feels like a contradiction of our expectations," Dr. Alyson Paul, associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students for Â鶹´«Ã½'s Cumming and Gainesville campuses, said. "It's difficult for all of us to understand and reconcile. This service is intended to be a celebration of their lives despite the somber nature of the event."
Students honored will be:
- Anna Lee Eberhart at noon in the memorial area near the first entrance on the Oconee Campus.
- Daniel Mayer at noon in the Memorial Gardens on the Gainesville Campus.
- Lucas Baxter and Blake Oviedo at 5 p.m. in front of Memorial Hall on the Dahlonega Campus.
We all have this shared experience of going through this grief process,
Dr. Alyson Paul
associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students, Cumming & Gainesville campuses
The students will be remembered with a moment of silence. Students, faculty, and staff may also share some brief thoughts about the students.
"Families are overwhelmingly appreciative of Â鶹´«Ã½'s efforts to recognize their student as a member of our community," Paul said.
Always held the Wednesday of the last week of classes, the event is funded by the Student Government Association. The markers are a permanent fixture to commemorate students who have died while enrolled at Â鶹´«Ã½. Names on the markers on the Cumming, Gainesville and Oconee campuses date back to 2013.
"We all have this shared experience of going through this grief process," Paul said referring to how the event also touches on the faculty members we have lost, as well.
Previously held as part of Parent-Alumni weekend, Â鶹´«Ã½ Remembers Day was developed as a way for students, faculty, and staff to have a common experience and remember their classmates. The day was started at the suggestion of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Traditions Committee, a group of faculty, staff, students, and administrators tasked by Â鶹´«Ã½ President Bonita Jacobs with documenting existing Â鶹´«Ã½ traditions and making suggestions for starting new ones.
Professional counselors on campus also have specific training to help guide students of all ages through the grief and adjustment process. Students may contact Student Counseling to receive this assistance.
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