University memorial service honors lives lost over the past year

Posted on May 4 2018 - 5:48am by DM Staff Report

The Ole Miss Memorial Ceremony brings together families and friends of deceased faculty, staff and students. Photo by Christian Johnson

The University of Mississippi’s annual memorial ceremony was held at 4 p.m. Thursday in Paris-Yates Chapel to honor those in the Ole Miss community who died this year.

The University String Quartet led a prelude performance before Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs, delivered the afternoon’s welcome address.

University Staff Council president Johnny Price, Faculty Senate chair Bryce Noonan and ASB president Elam Miller read aloud the names of staff, faculty and students, respectively, who died during the 2017-18 academic year. As each person’s name was called, the family and friends of the deceased placed a single white flower in a glass bowl in remembrance of the individual.

A tolling of the bells came after a musical interlude, and the service was concluded by a rendition of the Ole Miss alma mater by the University String Quartet as the audience stood.

This year’s service honored two staff members, nine students and 12 faculty or faculty emeriti.

Friends of Davis Cook come together to remember his life. Photo by Christian Johnson

 

Family members of deceased Ole Miss faculty, staff and students honor their loved ones during the Memorial Ceremony on Thursday. Photo by Christian Johnson