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THURSDAY
oct. 23, 2014 high 49°, low 46°
t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k |
dailyorange.com
halloween guide 2014 see insert
Astronomy building to reopen
Remembrance Week 2014 part 4 of 4
Holden Observatory will host classes again in 2015 By Elissa Candiotti contributing writer
SARA MILESKI (CENTER), a 2014 Remembrance Scholar, holds a candle at the Candlelight Vigil Monday night at the Wall of Remembrance. Mileski’s mother lost a floormate in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, providing inspiration for Mileski. frankie prijatel asst. photo editor
FROM THE SHADOWS
Scholar creates paper silhouette to honor, remember mother’s friend By Meredith Newman managing editor
A
s she places the last piece of tape on the blackpaper silhouette and sticks it to the wall, Sara Mileski takes a step back in the lounge in Marion Hall and lets out a sigh of relief. “I love it so much,” Sara says, as she uses her gray Syra-
cuse sweatshirt to wipe the tears and sniffles. This black silhouette is more than a 6-foot piece of thin paper—it carries a certain type of weight to Sara. This black silhouette represents the main character of stories told by her mother, Jennifer Mileski, and her college friends. This black silhouette represents someone’s brother, son and friend. The black silhouette represents Jason Coker: one of the 35 Syracuse University students who lost their lives on Dec. 21, 1988 in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Twenty-six years ago, Coker was a Marion 3 floormate and good friend to Jennifer Mileski. Now, after all of these years, Jason is still a part of Jennifer’s life, as her daughter Sara represents him as a Remembrance Scholar. Every year, 35 seniors are chosen to represent the students who were killed. The scholars are also responsible for planning Remembrance Week — which takes place this week — to honor the victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. This year, Sara and fellow Remembrance Scholars created silhouettes of the 35 students and placed them throughout campus in locations where the victims would have most likely see remembrance page 5
Holden Observatory, the second building ever constructed on the Syracuse University campus, will reopen in January 2015 with improved facilities to help students learn about astronomy. The observatory will host astronomy recitation classes of 21 students and a professor, said Christopher Danek, assistant director of Academic Facilities. The observatory will also provide free access to elementary and high school students, staff, faculty and administrators at SU, he said. The observatory, which was built in 1887, is located near Eggers Hall and White Hall. The money to refurbish the observatory was donated by Marvin Druger, a professor emeritus of biology and science education, in honor of his wife Patricia Meyers Druger, a former College of Arts and Sciences administrator who died in January. “This will be a wonderful place to learn about the universe and think about life on our planet,” Druger said. “After construction is complete, students will learn astronomy in a much more appropriate, exciting setting.” The proposal to restore the observatory, referred to as “The Pat Project,” has been set in motion with construction that began last week. To introduce the revamped observatory, there will be a dedication ceremony, Druger said. The observatory will be home to the Patricia Meyers Druger Astronomy Learning Center, made possible by donations from Druger. Upon entering the renovated building, students, professors and visitors will encounter a photograph and a plaque that honor Patricia Druger. His wife, who was an administrator in the biology department and a member see holden page 10