OUR VIEW: Lives lost but not forgotten
At a time when words feel inadequate, the tractors located throughout campus are speaking volumes – large, silent reminders of a tragedy no one will soon forget.
Ironically, the tractors were placed there by the very students who died in Monday’s accident. Meant to showcase advances in agriculture machinery, they now serve as tributes to the lives of those taken. Colorful signs advertising activities are now covered by flowers, and the activities themselves were replaced by a candlelight vigil and a day of remembrance on the Quad; appropriate changes in the wake of such loss.
In a department of only 150 and a program of only 20, the impact is tremendous. But Agriculture students aren’t the only ones grieving.
Evan Parker was much more than a teacher, and the young men were much more than students; they were husbands, fiancés and boyfriends. Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are left with holes in their families. Roommates will come home to empty rooms and classmates will sit next to empty desks. Truly the hearts of all Aggies are united in support of the families of those involved.
President Albrecht observed that as one of the most residential campuses in Utah, we have a unique sense of community. With so many students far from home, we as students become substitute families, with bonds reaching beyond those of academic peers. As such, it is no surprise the students of this university have come together in such a remarkable way to console and comfort each other.
It was said at the vigil that these students exemplified the best of being an Aggie. We couldn’t agree more. As Agriculture and Science Technology Education department head Bruce Miller put it, while some in a university setting are wearing white shirts and ties, these students were passionate about what they loved and weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.
Honesty, integrity and ambition have all been attributed to those were lost – and they should be. Parker has been revered as the heart of the program. Eight remarkable young men made quite the impression on faculty and students alike in their short time at USU. It was noticed by a reporter from Salt Lake the young men were old for freshmen and sophomores. These were mostly students starting a little later in their academic careers because of post-high school work in agriculture or serving LDS missions. Commitment to both education and service was obvious and every one of them was proud and excited to be an Aggie.
ASUSU President Quinn Millet encouraged students to not let remembrance be a mourning of death, but a celebration of life by upholding the values they exemplified.
The flames from the candles have been extinguished, and the tractors will be removed at the end of the week. But while the warm glow created last night may have faded, the lives of the nine crash victims will not be forgotten.