On Thursday, April 20, as the sun shone bright and the gentle wind blew, Augusta University hosted an annual, public memorial service for lost loved ones who died in the past year on Summerville Campus in front of Bellevue Hall.
“There’s a need for an outlet of grief, whether that’s immediately after a student passes away or months later here at a memorial ceremony – we created this because we needed a consistent way to honor the lives of our AU family members,” said Dean of Students Scott Wallace. “I think having family members come back to campus is really important.”
A total of 26 people were honored with a ceremony respecting each individual’s contribution to the university; among these 26 names, who died between April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, three were students, and 23 were staff and faculty members.
“While there is a void in the wake of their loss, I am grateful to be able to honor and celebrate those who stood behind our Augusta University family,” said Chief Strategy Officer of the Augusta University Health System Jennifer Miller during the memorial. “Know your loved one dedicated part of their life in service to others – in service to our patients and our students.”
As peers, relatives and professors wept in remembrance, many embraced and held hands while names of the dearly departed were read aloud.
To include loved ones in the memorial, as the names were read, several families were invited one by one to place a flower in a pool of still water which symbolized celebrating the lives of those passed on.
“Their memories remain deep in our hearts … we are so grateful for those memories,” said Augusta University’s Director of Spiritual Care Henry Holt. “But, most of all, we are grateful for love, which is strong in death … together united we are strong.”
The service also featured several keynote speakers from the university, a musical interlude by the Garden City Chamber Ensemble and a symbolic tolling of the bell 27 times – one ring for each of the deceased, and an extra final ring for others that passed and were not outright mentioned.
“It’s important for members of the faculty, staff and students to be able to celebrate the lives of those we’ve lost in the past year,” said Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel. “To remember them and the contributions they have made, and to take a moment and reflect on their lives and all they’ve done for us.”
To end the memorial, Christian Markle performed Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, and families were invited to stay afterwards to enjoy fellowship and light refreshments.
“I really loved the service. I love that they take the time to do this to honor everyone that passed, and I truly appreciate it,” said Paul Bloodworth, son of deceased Dr. William Bloodworth Jr.
Whitney Carlisle, whose family attended to remember her brother and university student Kevon D. Carlisle, said her family was immensely touched by the university taking the time to remind families about their loved ones’ importance, even though they are no longer attending the school.
“My brother, he didn’t get to make it to his graduation, so this was a way for us to honor the achievements he made here while on-campus,” said Carlisle. “If the ceremony wasn’t held, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to celebrate him, and to be around other people who have also suffered loss as well within the same community. It helps us know that we have support everywhere besides our family … it lets us know that my brother isn’t forgotten.”
The following names are those who passed and were remembered at the service:
- Kevon D. Carlisle
- Robert William Harper
- Sarah O. Rish
- William Andrew Bloodworth Jr.
- Frederick S. Grant
- Manish Jain
- Daniel F. Linder II
- Jennifer Wright
- Robert K. Yu
- Byrl Y. Bollers
- Kenneth Jewel Bonds Jr.
- Alma Geneva Lucky
- Paul E. Marsh Jr.
- Justin M. Owen
- Carol Ann Palmer
- Jerald W. Schlein
- Williams Alan Sealey
- Catherine J. Adams
- Marico L. Dorsey
- Angela Favro
- John B. Hekker
- Karen E. Johnson
- Heather Meives
- Teresa L. Mills
- Darrell Stone
- Donald F. Tummons
“A memorial is an important part of the grief process, because people need closure,and when you have a solemn program like this … all that impacts the families’ experience,” said Holt. “For the staff, when you see and work with people everyday they become a part of your family, so when we have moments like this it really helps to reflect, and honor the legacy they added to the institution.”
