More than 200 students, faculty and alumni gathered on the steps of Foellinger Auditorium on Tuesday night to mourn the passing of three recent University graduates.
Three alumni were killed in an automobile accident Sunday morning on Interstate 57. Charisse R. Hartzol, 22, of Hazelcrest, Ill., was driving home from a Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity party when her car crossed the highway median and slammed into an oncoming van. Her passengers, Ramadan K. El-Amin, 23, of Chicago Heights, Ill., and Michael Edwards, 25, of Chicago were also killed.
The van's driver, Edward Gaines, 62, of Monee, Ill., was also killed. His two passengers were listed in critical condition at the time of this report.
Tuesday's candlelight vigil was followed by prayers and song. Those in attendance then proceeded to room 112 in Gregory Hall where mourners passed a table with images of the three alums to pay their final respects. A slide presentation depicting photographs of the recently deceased was shown to the audience as people offered scriptures, poems and songs.
University alum Sherrika Ellison and University student in LAS Arthur Scales preformed "Eyes is on the Sparrow."
Purple ribbons were given to attendees to commemorate the service.
"It's been very hard for upperclassmen; They were very very close to (the three)," said Nameka Bates, assistant director in the office of the dean of students, who was at the vigil. "For those who can't make it to the funeral, this is their chance to grieve."
Mourners were allowed to address the gathering of people and reflect on their memories of those that they lost.
Presentations from members of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and friends of Hartzol shared people's memories of the three.
The classroom quickly filled to capacity, and many mourners were left standing in the halls. The heat and anxiety to get inside the room added to the emotions of the already fragile group. Many began to weep as they passed the table with images of their friends. Many who were unable to participate in the services sobbed as they waited in the hallway.
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Sad News for Kappa Alpha Psi @ U of I
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