KSU’s Student Government Association led a ceremony at the Fallen Owls Memorial Statue on Tuesday, April 10 in remembrance of deceased members of the KSU community.
SGA President Ronald Wilson recited a poem by Helen Steiner Rice to begin the ceremony, and then introduced the Vice President of Student Success Dr. Jerome Ratchford.
Ratchford explained that he not only represented his own office, but also the office of KSU President Dr. Daniel Papp who was unable to attend the ceremony.
“We pride ourselves here at KSU on being a family or a community, and this remembrance here today demonstrates this connection,” Ratchford said. “We are here today to acknowledge and say thanks to those deceased students who we shared a journey with.”
“Why do we want to say thank you?” Ratchford went on, “Because like a family, the sum total of this years journey benefitted our lives and we are better off from the experience…Instead of sadness or sorrow, let us hear, and I enter here, the melody of that old Bob Hope song to them, to those deceased, simply say it, ‘Thanks for the memories.’”
SGA Secretary and Vice President Elect De’Chino Duke recited the names of KSU’s Fallen Owls. There are 29 Fallen Owls, and to honor them, there were 29 candles set around the statue. Unfortunately the candles could not be lit because of wind conditions.
Next, SGA Treasurer Michael McComber led a moment of silence, followed by the bell salute by SGA Chief Procedure Officer David Williams.
SGA Director of External Affairs Roberta Wheeler then read a quotation by KSU student Jared Campanella, who said, “We must stand strong and live life fuller than we ever thought possible to make our fellow owls proud, whether right here beside us or soaring high above. We must also take the knowledge endowed to us by our fallen owls and bestow it upon our friends, family and colleagues to forever immortalize the spirit of KSU.”
To close the ceremony, SGA’s current Vice President and President Elect Rosalyn Hedgepeth gave a short speech.
“It is often said, that the most important part of a gravestone is not the sunrise or the sunset, but the dash in between. Because that dash symbolizes what was accomplished and what was done during that lifetime,” said Hedgepeth. “So today, I would like to leave you with this thought: What does your dash mean? As we progress through life, what are you accomplishing, your time here at Kennesaw, what are you doing to make a difference?”
Students interested in counseling services can visit Kennesaw Hall room 2401, or call (770) 423-6600 for more information.
