Auburn University took time Sunday, April 27, to honor the lives of nine of students who passed away during the academic year.
Gathering on the campus, which these men spent much of their time on, friends and family celebrated the lives of Matthew Cole, Scott Kincaid, Stephen Kirby, John William McCarron, Justin Mooney, Dawson Morris, Scott Shockley, Tate Sutherland and Barrett Townsend.
Jon Waggoner, interim vice president for student affairs, said the overall academic and non-academic efforts by these nine students should not be overlooked, but rather should be praised.
"I would like to acknowledge that these students achieved so much just by working so hard to get to Auburn and by studying and contributing everyday while they were here," Waggoner said. "These efforts are to be commended and praised."
Waggoner said while the lives of these nine men were cut short, it is the quality of life they lived that makes them so special.
"It is in the final analysis, what we do with our lives that matters and not how long we lived," Waggoner said.
In front of saddened friends and family, Randy Roberts, assistant director of the fellowship of Christian athletes, expressed the University's condolences to the families, as well as the University's desire to walk with them through these tough times.
"The Auburn family's desire is to reach out to you, to touch you, someway expressing that we are faithful," Roberts said. "We remember and we celebrate the lives that many of you allowed us to experience."
Following Robert's remarks, family members of those that passed lit a candle in honor of each of the nine students.
Candles lit and the room silenced, Waggoner once again spoke of the students and their accomplishments, pointing out something special about each individual student.
"These boys accomplished so much during their lives and touched so many of us so deeply," Waggoner said. "And so, we will think of them often, playing guitar at the house, throwing a ball with the dog at Chewacla, discovering the stars through a telescope, helping others as a gentle giant, playing practical jokes on a friend, being tapped for lambda sigma, marching in the Auburn University Marching Band or even crushing a chemistry final."
Logan Powell, junior in political science and president of Student Government Association, said although times like these are tough, it's times like these when the Auburn Family should gather around one another.
"Obviously, today's ceremony was saddening as we remembered the lives of our fellow Auburn students," Powell said. "But, it's times like this one that remind you of the importance of the Auburn Family and the support system we can provide for one another in times of grief or hardship."
Powell said these nine students will be remembered by the Auburn Family for a long time.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those we have lost," Powell said.
In his closing, Waggoner assured the families that their sons would forever be Auburn men.
"We will remember them with fondness," Waggoner said. "Forever Auburn men, forever frozen in their youth and their victories. Their glory will not fade."
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