Recognize, remember, renew Southern moves toward healing with memorial service.
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y the time Whitney Wright, senior music education major from Galena, Kansas, finished her rendition of Martina McBride’s “Anyway,” few dry eyes remained in Taylor Auditorium after the Remember, Recognize & Renew memorial service on August 28. The service, which also included a performance by the Missouri Southern Concert Chorale and ended with the release of 160 balloons to honor those who died of injuries from the May 22 tornado, memorialized lost loved ones and recognized efforts of the Missouri Southern community. “The people that were really touched were the ones who felt the need to be here today,” said Judy Elimelech, coordinator of disability services for MSSU, of the approximate 150 people in attendance at the service. Jonathan Saunders, MSSU’s Student Senate president, led the invocation. Dr. Sherry L. Buchanan, chair of the MSSU Board of Governors, expressed the support of the Board and encouraged those in attendance to remain strong. “We can choose to be survivors in spite of our victimization,” said Buchanan. Darren Fullerton, ’88, vice president for student affairs, introduced those speaking in honor of three members of the Southern community who were lost due to the tornado. Fullerton acknowledged that, although the physical campus was not touched, the university was still affected by the storm. “Missouri Southern is not the buildings, the grounds, and the classrooms,” said Fullerton. “Missouri Southern is the people. Our people — faculty, staff and students — make Missouri Southern what it is, and in that respect, we were definitely impacted by the storm.” Donna Krudwig spoke in memory of her son-in-law, Donald Lansaw. Lansaw was married to Bethany Lansaw, who works in Educational Talent Search at MSSU. Krudwig shared the story of how Donald saved her daughter. “He is truly a hero to my family,” said Krudwig. Beatrice Haase-Dubuis spoke in memory
Top, Dr. Sherry L. Buchanan, chair of the MSSU Board of Governors, offers encouragement to those who attended the campus memorial service. Above left, Whitney Wright, senior music education major, closes her eyes as she sings “Anyway” at the conclusion of the service. Above right, Dr. Glenn Coltharp, dean of the school of education, and Alicia Hughes, ’03, bursar, release balloons after the service on August 28. — Photos by Mike Gullett and Willie Brown, ’13 of colleague Dr. José Alvarez, assistant professor of foreign languages. “Dr. Alvarez will be remembered as somebody who was always willing to help and a plain good person,” said Haase-Dubuis. “The campus and the foreign language department will never be the same.” The Rev. Justin Monaghan spoke in memory of MSSU student Abraham “Abe” Khoury. “Abraham ‘Abe’ Khoury was my friend,” said Monaghan. “I admired his ability to overcome hard times and knocks.” Debi Meeds, regional chief executive officer, and Chris Harmon, regional executive director of emergency services, both with the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross, presented a plaque to MSSU President Bruce Speck to honor the efforts of the university in the aftermath of the tornado. “I marvel at all that was done to save
lives and bring comfort,” said Meeds. “The university was unbelievable.” Meeds said Missouri Southern’s efforts in setting up an emergency shelter and other services during the tornado’s aftermath, have become a standard for the nation. Speck announced that he and his wife, Carmen, were donating $3,000 toward a scholarship fund in honor of the three men memorialized at the service so their lives would not be forgotten. “These were three men in different stages of their lives, but three men who represent the character of this university,” said Speck. Speck spoke of how proud he is to be at Southern and how grateful he is for all of the efforts of the community. “This community has demonstrated that it doesn’t need to wait around for help,” he said.
— Joanna Lee, ’12
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