Deepest sympathy to Alpha Phi Alpha, the chapter and the entire universiy family. This is a real tragedy.
It hits very close to home.
Eight members of the Delta Tau Delta Chapter at University of Northern Colorado were involved in an accident on icy roads in the same size van on the way to a Division Conference a couple months ago. The van skidded and dropped off the side of a twenty foot high bridge.
The outcome is much happier, however. Although it initially looked like there were some serious injuries, it turned out that none was life-threatening.
The accident happened near a small town in Iowa, and the town emergency workers, hospital, pharmacy and residents went far out of their way to help the brothers -- including some free lodging, meals and pain medication. A real human interest story which will probably be written up in the next edition of the Fraternity magazine.
In addition, on hearing of the accident, three undergraduate brothers, one recent grad and one sorority woman who is dating one of the men in the accident drove all night and the next day to bring the Delts back to the Greeley Campus.
Then the UNC administration was also very helpful and impressive with counseling for the chapter members and a visit to the next chapter meeting by the Dean of Students and the Greek Advisor. The Northern Colorado President is former US Senator Hank Brown who is a Delt from the University of Colorado.
Obviously, the chapter never got to the conference, but they won the Hugh Shields Award for Chapter Excellence which is given to the top chapters in the Fraternity.
Again, sincere condolences to our Greek Brothers of A Phi A. I truly wish that the story of your accident could have turned out as lucky as the Delts.
Fraternally,
DeltAlum
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