Layout 1 (Page 2) - La Roche College

The La Roche College community gathered on
Earth Day to plant three trees in memory of the
students who passed away this year.
La Roche Suffers Tragedies With Loss of Three Students
by Colleen Pelc
The 2008-2009 academic year brought the loss of three La Roche
students. In fall 2008 on the first day of school, the College
community experienced the loss of sophomore Michael Bird,
who collapsed while playing basketball at the Kerr Fitness & Sports
Center. The cause of his death was an undiagnosed congenital
condition, and the campus mourned him during a memorial service in
the Magdalen Chapel.
During winter break, junior Graphic & Communication Design major Cory
Linn was killed in a car accident on Dec. 29 on Route 8. A memorial service
in the Magdalen Chapel on Jan. 29 allowed students, faculty and staff to
remember Cory’s life and time here at La Roche.
“I am so proud of the way our students, faculty, staff and
administration came together in these times of sorrow.
We united in prayer, in memories, in tears and in hope that we
would see these loved ones again.” - The Rev. Peter Horton
On Friday, Jan. 23, La Roche lost another student, Danielle Acevedo, who
had returned from a leave of absence from the College following a surgery
earlier this year.
The La Roche College community was shocked to lose three students who
were gifted, talented and full of promise, according to Director of Campus
Ministry, the Rev. Peter Horton, but he was comforted by the College
community response.
“I am so proud of the way our students, faculty, staff and administration
came together in these times of sorrow. We united in prayer, in memories,
in tears and in hope that we would see these loved ones again. We held on
to each other, we listened to each other, we wiped away tears together. We
found strength in our common bond of friendship and faith,” Father Peter said.
He also reminded everyone that in times of sorrow, we must continue to be
the support and consolation for each other.
“There really is no easy way to get through these times, no easy way to heal
the pain of loss and separation. It seems best that we continue to move on,
one day at a time, never forgetting those we have lost, but to continue living
as they taught us – with energy, faith, hope and passion,” he said.
“This is how we best remember them as we live by the example they taught
us. Our grief, though always present, grows less hurtful as we realize that
we carry these beloved ones in our hearts forever.”
LA ROCHE MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2009 19
FEATURE STORY