Friday, UB will host a memorial service for the 16 students who passed away during 2013 and 2014. The ceremony will take place in Student Union Theater at 11 a.m.
UB will honor:
Brian Archie, Nicholas Arieno, Katielyn Aubertine, Taylor Binnert, Paul Englert, Jeffrey Gower, Jeremy Hayes, Saron Hood, Lisa Husung, Narang David Kim, James Kuwik, Michael Munella, Christopher Peterson, Emily Peterson, Kuan-Yu Benjamin Wu and Zachary Yambor.
Director of Judicial Affairs and Student Advocacy Liz Lidano has been organizing this annual memorial since its inception 10 years ago. She said there have been more student deaths this year than any previous year.
Lidano organized the event with Student Support Coordinator Colleen Connolly. The families and friends of all but two students will attend.
"I think it's a beautiful ceremony and incredibly impactful for family and friends who have lost a student," Lidano said. "These weeks are a time of celebration for those who are graduating, and it's incredibly important to honor the lives of students whose lives were cut short this year."
The ceremony will begin with a musical selection from the Buffalo Chips, UB's all male a cappella group, followed by lighting of candles and a reading of the names.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Barbara Ricotta will deliver remarks about the students and the event. A photo tribute slideshow will follow.
Lidano, Connolly, Student Association President Sam McMahon and Graduate Student Association President Mike Egnoto will read statements written by the families and friends of the students who have passed away. Father Pat Keleher from Campus Ministry will reflect on the lives of those who were lost.
After the ceremony, people will congregate outside to view bricks outside the Union engraved with the students' names, and the university honor guard will lead everyone to the flags, which will be lowered to half-mast in honor of the students.
A luncheon will take place after the event.
Lidano said the entire UB community is welcome to celebrate the lives of the 16 students.
email: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
