Saturday, Jan. 25, hundreds arrived to Samford Hall at 7 p.m. in memorial of the late Barrett "Bear" McCoy Townsend.
Townsend passed away Thursday evening. He was 22 years old, a senior in software engineering.
During tonight's candlelight vigil Bear's family, Sigma Phi Epilson brothers and other friends huddled together in the cold to celebrate the life of this young man.
When the Townsend family heard of the idea for a vigil they booked a charter bus to be in attendance, according Sigma Phi Epsilon president Preston Bodnar.
Jon Waggoner, interim vice president for Student Affairs, began speaking by thanking the crowd for their support. Bear's fraternity brothers followed, speaking on the steps of Samford to the crowd foregrounded by Bear's immediate and close family.
His brothers began with sharing stories about Bear's life. Many of the crowd laughed, cried and exchanged flames.
After the brother's speeches commenced, they opened the floor as people walked up to share their favorite stories, and how Bear impacted their lives.
As the flames began to burn out, Bear's father came forward. After a few short words, he led the crowd in the first and last versuses of Amazing Grace.
"The impact that Bear had on people was shown by the crowd that was here," Bodnar said. "It blew us away. It blew his family away. It was evident the kind of person Bear was by the sheer number of people here."
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